The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-03-05
ZIP, IT'S
ALL OFF"
FerrelI's Forecast of His
Fate In the Chair.
DOOMED MAN WAS CALM,
Externally, Till the Last--Lived
Like q King Thursday
at the Peni-
tentiary.

Special to News-Democrat.
Columbus, March 1.-Ferrell took
his seat In the electric chair about
1907 a. IN. About 1900 a. m. the
current was turned on. Death was
instantaneous. His last words were:
81 have nothing to say"
Up until about 1880 yesterday even
ing Ferrell was in company with his
three brothers In his room at the
penitentiary. At that time the broth
ers were asked to retire and Rev.
the room and remained with the con-
demned man until he was pronounced
dead. They administered the sacra-
ments In the early part of the even
ing, and the rites had scarcely been
concluded until Ferrell proposed
game of checkers with one of the
clergymen. Tiring of this after
time he played his guitar and sang
until he was summoned to the death
chamber. He walked into the room
as calm as II he were merely q spec
tator His face did not change color
and his steps were strong and reso-
Lutte.
Rosslyn Ferrell who last night paid
the penalty for his crime In the elcc
tric chair Of the Ohio penitentiary.
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 repre-.
sented to Miss Lillian Costlow, to
whom he was to have been married
on the coming Thursday night, that
he had considerable sum of money
in the bank, and that he still retain
ed his situation with the company.
He was desperate. He was without
money, and his wedding day was ap
preaching. He had a peculiar pride
which prevented his telling the plain
truth to the girl, and he determined
to have money by murder. He board
ed the express car of an eastbound
Pennsylvania train on the night men,
toned, being permitted to ride by his
old friend Lane. The two men talked.
pleasantly until the train reached
Plain City, about 10 miles frem this
city, when Lane was preparing to
make his express delivery for that
county. When the messengers back
was turned Ferrell shot, the ball TAX
ing effect in Lanes back. The kill.
ing was just before coming to Union,
Madison county. Ferrell fired again
and again until the chambers of his
revolver were empty. Lane lay on the
car floor dead. -Ferrell took gold
bank checks aud bank notes amount
ing to S2,400, from the safe. and when
the train stopped at Plain City he
leaped off. The stop was but for a
moment, and the crime was not dis.
covered until the car was opened
when the train reached this city. Fer.
rell stayed all night at hotel in
Plain City and the next day went to
Miss Costlow. He was arrested at
her house the following Sunday, and
his trial and conviction followed. He
admitted the crime, and 1t has been
shown that his reason for 1t was in.
fatuation for the girl lie was to
marry. She has repeatedly visited
him since he was condemned to die.
Columbus, March 1.-Aboutx three
hours before he was led out to die. Ross
lyn Ferrell made statement to press
representative in which he declared In
tones rather tremulous that he was pre-
pared to pass into the beyond. It was
his first and only statement for publi-
cation. His words were as follows:
well, have only few more hours
to live. ! have no hope of intervention
by the governor. My attorneys have
done all in their power for me. I'm
young and it Is hard to die. But If |
could secure communication, think OF
what life should have to live Shaving
day after day in the penitentiary.
II could not stand 1t for long and I
think 1t is best should die. / expect
to go to the chair like a man and am
ready when the moment comes"
Yesterday morning while Charles
Marden, superintendent of electricity,
was testing the chair, Ferrell walked
from his cell In the annex, few steps
away, and stood in front of the .instru-
ment of death. He gazed at the chair
while and then In nonchalant voice
exclaimed, Zip, it's all or" He talked
with the electrician In an unconcerned
way and then returned to his cell.
All day long Ferrells attitude was
like that OF any person outside Of the
prison walls, but after the shades OF
night had come there was sligh;
change In his demeanor. 1t was plain
he was making herculean effort to ap-
pear natural, and although he succeeded
quite well he could not conceal alto
gether his inward feeling. He was ner-
vn,na