The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1861-07-25
The Freeport Tragedy.

tile business for many years, and was we'll known
throughout the entire country. He was killed by
Clinton Walters, for the aedged seduction Of his
wife. The facts which led to this unhappy result
are as follows: For some time previous to this ar-
Fray suspicious existed in the community that there
was a criminal intimacy between Ensmugcr and
Mrs. Walters Walters had enlisted under Capt
Crowell Of Fremont, and gone to Camp Chase, be-
fore leaving home he was aware Of these suspicious
and it seems that DIR. 7. 5. Camanp pledged his word
to Walters, that in his absence he would bcstow
such care and attention upon his wife and family
as they might require. Mrs Walters was being
supported by the Volunteer Fund from the State
Such was the state of affairs when Walters left
home. A short time after his departure their al
legged improper conduct became general talk in
Frccport, and It seems that Ensmingers actions
were closely watched. DR.. Carmiu had for srms
time been watching him, and on the Sunday night
previous to this ailray, Eusmngcr entering the
house of Mrs. Walters at about 10 o'clock. Car
man stated that he watched them; that he saw
nothing criminal, yet from what he saw and heard
believed that such criminal intercourse had taken
place. As Ensminger came out, Carmln took hold
OF his arm and with an oath said, Now have
caught you.' Ensminger replied 81 acknowledge
the corn for Gods sake don't expose me-" En-
smngcrs and Walters houses are both ON the same
lot, or near together, and, it appears he went over
to get pitcher of water and claims that Mrs. Wal
tcrs called him in. He went in and remained some
twenty or twenty-five minutes but vchcmcntly do
MED any guilt On the next night private meet
ing was held in DIR. CarmlnS store, aud he there
related what tranSpired the previous night, and
It was determined to hold public meeting next day.
Accordingly word was sent ont to the pcopl,, and
especially to the Taxpayers" to meet in Frlcport
| the avowed object of the meeting was to see ii
they should support Mrs. Walters at the township
expense, while she was acting in such an improper
manner. The meeting organized with DIR. w. ID.
llutchus in tn, Chair, and il appears from their
proceedings they lost sight of the original object of
their assembling, and preferred charge of adul-
terry against EtSmmger. DR.. Carman was sworn
and made his statement which Ensmnger ackuow-
lodged substantially true but denied any
criminal intimacy said it was improper and was
sorry. and that he should not again do so Other
testimony was given in, and the meeting not slts-
fed with Ensmingers guilt s,nt committee to
visit the women neighbors Of Mrs. Walt to elicit
new testimony. This committee having finished
their labors duly reported to the meeting. After
hearing all, a number of speeches were made. The
charge OF adultery stricken out, and they found
Ensmingcr guilty of "gross imprOprictv" The
meeting was composed of many OF the best citizens;
but at this time or at many left, the moctRg be-
coming very noisy and turbulent While Ensming
cr was speaking Carmun approached him and said,
"Speak the truth, for by the Eternal it is life or
death" and at the same time putting his hand to
his (Carman's) breast. After this a resolution re
qnring Ensminger to leave town i'll thirty days,
that length Of time. Also resolution was passed
to forward copy of the proceedings to Walnrs at
Camp Chase. 1t appears that DR.. lIutchins having
business AT Camp Chase carried the prCce tdugs to
Waters. Hutchns and Walters came to Carey
from Columbus ON the cars. Walters started for
Freeport on foot lIutclins overlook him about
miles ont Of Carey, and Walters rode with him un
til within very short distance Of Frecport, arriv
ing there late on Saturday night.
THE KILLING or ENsMINGER.
The next morning between six ana seven o'clock
Ensnlnger was sitting ut his store upon the porch,
IN company with MIR. Ucnne. The store is situat-
cd ON the corner OF the street, the porch fronting
the south. Walters came up stealthily from the
north, and Ensmingcr was entirely unaware of his
presence until right upon him. EusmWgor spoke
to him, and Walters with an imprecaton, pulled out
II revolver "a siX-shootcr) and snapped it at him.
Hcnne said, Ensmingcr, r,m!" Ensminger ran
down street Westwardly, turning into an alley, add
Walters after him, discharging the contents of the
revolver, On shot taking effect in the right shoulder.
1t appears that Ensmngcr went to the end of tie
alley, and turned and past Walters, and Nsta
he Mas passing shot took effect between the fifth
and sixth rib, which proved fatal. Ensminger came
back to his store, went on his porch and, at the
store door, was met by his son COrWin Ensmugcr,
who handed him pistol. At this iuncturc DIR.
Carman came across from his store, being ON the
opposite side OF the street and Northeast from Ems
mingers, and with an oath charged Carman with
being at the "bottom Of all this" When Eusming-
or made the remark, Carman went back to his own
StOfG " alters also ran across the street, ana Ii
appears was some 20 or 25 feet west of Carman
when Ensninger fired, he stated, at Walters but
some testify that he fred at CurmGn, others at Wal
torS. After firing, Ensmingor returned the pistol
to his son. AS his wife and hired girl were taking
him home he was bleeding. and said lac was killed. |
When Ensminger fired, Carman went to his store
and came out with double barrel shot gun. and
came across the street toward Ensminger, pointing
it at him. His wife and Mr.. Lansdalc intGspoScd
and prevented Calman from shooting. One witness
on eXamintion said Carman asked nnsIpinger if he
shot at him. Ensminger replied NO" Then says
Carman 81 would not hurt YOU" When En5ming-
er fired, Walters went into Palmer's Tavern, and at-
ter Carman tried to shoot Ensminger he returned to
his store, when Walters came in and, as one wit
ness stated, asked Culman "If he had any more
ammunition for pistol" CalmNn said "No" Wal
ters then land his hand upon rifle and asked if it
was loaded Carman said nothing, but went to
his desk and got a ball and handed it to Walters,
remarkng that 'it is good for 200 yards when well
handled" Ensminger died from the effect of the
wound on the Tuesday following. lie suffered
much and begged the physicians to give him
young wife and large family Of children TO mourn
his loss. He protested his innocence Of criminal
intimacy with Mrs. Walters until the last. Wal
ters returned to Camp Chase, and is unable to leave
on account of sickness, but is under arrest.
After this most painful occurrence, DR.. I. ). Car
man and wife, Dr. W. ID. Huchins and DR.. L. K.
Sage were arrested on the charge of aiding and a.
betting in the murder of Ensinnccr. On 18Th inst
after trial Of days, before Samuel Bacon, }. r.,
of Montgomery tp., and Walter Davidson, }. p. of
Webster tp., Carman was bound in the sum
Of $4,000; Huchins in $4,000, and Sage in 1900,
to appear before the Court of Common Pleas. Mrs.
Carmin was discharged from arrest The trial
was ably conducted on behalf of the State, by VIM.
IL. Gibson Esq. of Tillin, j. L. Price and \. Budd,
Esqs of P,r:ysburg. The Defense by Messrs.
Sleyin, johnson, Dodge Il Tyler Of Perrysburg.
Carmln was tried first, aud WAS recogniz,d.-
Hutchins and Sage waived examination. The ar
rest OF Drs. Carmdn, llutchns and Sage, for a
crime so hcniouS this, has caused the most in
tense excitement. They all have been residents of
Wood county for many years. They now ar
raigned for the crime of cUnspiIing to take the life
of one of their fellow citizens, and they all express
perfect willingness 70 have full investigation,
believing that they can vindicate themselves entire
ly. Dr. Carman claims that in the entire matter he
has acted in good faith to Walters, and according to
his pledge guarded the honor Of his name and the
chastity of his wife; that all he did was from con-
victiOn of duty and justice to Walters and nothing
more. Upon the other hand il is claimed that Car
man was actuaccd by feelings of bitterness to Ems
mingrr, between whom some difficulty had former
ly occurred, and that it not tTOa any sacred re-
gard for the honor of Walters wife, nor friendship
for Walters himself; but it is not for to seek to
penetrate the hearts of men and know what human
Intentions are, nor could we if We wished The
guilt or innocence of these parties is to be made
matter of legal investigation; and it is to be hoped
that no injustice or wrong may be done, either by
slanderouS and false charges, nor from imprudence
OF friends. great crime has been committcd q
man has been murdered in the streets of one Of our
villages. Let the law be vindicated. NJ. c.
Walters was brought up ON the ll30 train, from
Columbus, Monday night, and is now in jail.-Ed