The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-01
walked Into the Room as Calmly as
AZ lie Were "A Spectator Instead
of the Doomed Man.
THREE MINUTES SUFFICIENT
SAT DOWN AT 1890 AND WAS PRO-
NoUNCED DEAD AT 1900.
story OF the Murderer's Crime-kilied
His Friend I'm Order To se-
cure Money 40 Marry.

COLUMBUS. o., March with no dim
mutton of the wonderful nerve that has
been Characteristic OF the man since the
time of apprehension for the premeditated
murder of Charles Lane. last August. Ross
lyn Ferrell, at 1906 o'clock this morning.
walked calmly TO the electric chair OF the
Ohio penitentiary and expiated his crime.
Up until 7:SO o'clock yesterday evening
Ferren was in company with his three
brothers In his room at the penitentiary.
At that time the brothers were asked TO re-
tire and Fathers O'Reilly and Kelly entered
the room and remained with the condemned
man until he was pronounced dead. They
administered the sacraments in the early
part of the evening and the rite had scarce
ly been concluded until Ferrell proposed
game OF checkers with one OF the clergy
men. firing of this after a time he played
his guitar and sang until he was summoned
to the death chamber. lie walked into the
room as calm as II he were merely a spec
tator. His face did not change color and
his steps were strong and resolute He sat
down in the electrocution chair at 1906. He
was asked II he had any last messages and
replied. I'm a voice full of strength and with
out tremor 81 have nothing TO say" The
officials made the last preparations. the
fatal current was turned on. and at 1903 he
was declared dead.
Roslyn Feriell shot and killed Express
Messenger Charles Lane on the night OF
Aug. 10. 1900. He had been in the employ
Of the Adams Express Company and had
lost his position. He had represented TO
Miss Lillian Costlow, TO whom he was 10
have been married on the coming Thursday
night. that he had a considerable sum OF
money i'm bank and that he still retained his
situation with the company. He was des-
perate. He was without money and his
wedding day was approaching. He had a
peculiar pride which prevented his telling
the plain truth 10 the girl. and he deter
mined TO have money by murdei. He
boarded the express car OF an east-bound
Pennsylvania train on the night mentioned.
being permitted to ride by his old friend
Lane. The two men talked pleasantly until
the train reached Plain City. about fifteen
miles from this city. when Lane WAS pre-
pairing to make his express delivery for
that station, small town in Madison coun-
ty. When the messengers back was turned
Ferrell shot. the ball taking effect in Lanes
back. The killing was just before coming
from Union into Madison county. Terrell
fired again and again until the chfmbers
OF his revolver were empty. Lane lay on
the car floor dead. Ferrell took gold bank
checks and bank notes amounting 10 s. 100
from the safe. and when the train Stopped
at Plain City ne Ieaped off, The stop was
but for a moment and the crime was not
discovered until the car was opened when
the train reached this city. Ferrell stayed
all night az a hotel I'm Plain City and the
next day went To Miss Costlow. lie
arrested at her home the following sunday
and hls trial and conviction followed. lie
admitted the crime. and IL has been shown
that his reason for IL was infatuation for
the girl he was 10 marry. She had re-
peatedly visited him since he was con-
demned 10 die.