The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1897-06-18
A MURDEROUS ASSAULT.
With the View of Robbery, nartin Ensley
Tries to Kill His Life Long Eriend, c. D..
Collins, Wealthy Tennesseean.

ST. LOUIS, June 16.-C. D. Collins.a
wealthy Tennesseean, was lured to this
probable death Tuesday night by a
man he had known since boyhood and
with whom he has been on terms of in
innate friendship for six years. His
assailant is Martin Ensley, of Memphis,
whose father, Colonel Enoch Ensley,
was one of the most prominent mine
owners and planters of the south.
Ensley induced his companion to Wis
it Meramec Highlands, a summer re-
sort fifteen miles from here. On the
plea of illness he led him to clump Of
bushes about seventy five yards from
the hotel. There stepping behind bis
victim he dealt him blow after blow on
the head with hammer he had pur-
chased presumably for the purpose Of
committing the murder.
When the pounding had reduced
Collins to state Of insensibility Ensley
stopped over the PROSTATE body and
tore from a vest pocket a roll of bills
that amounted to $4,000. He started
up the hill and passed the money to an
accomplice who is believed to have es-
capped on trolley car Then the would
be murderer ran down the path lead
ing to the Meramec river. Two men
saw the assault and the robbery and
witnessed the transfer Of the money
and the escape of the principal and his
accomplice. Charles Feiter, baker
employed at the inn, and gardener
who had been engaged about the
grounds a fortnight, were the wit
nesses. They ran to the inn and noti-
fled night Watchman Busch and told
him the story. Collins was removed
to Kirkwood, where physician dressed
his wounds.
Ensley when arrested protested his
innocence, claiming that he too, had
been assaulted.
All this occurred about midnight. At
2 O'Clock this iAorning two deputy sher-
ifs from Clay ton, the county seat, ar
rived at Meramec Highlands. They
searched the grounds for weapon and
discovered a new hammer covered with
blood. On Ensley was found $500
which at first was supposed to be part
Of the stolen money.
At day break Eusley was driven over
to kirkwood and identified by Collins
as his assailant.
Memphis, Tenn, June 16.-The
Associated Press dispatch announcing
the murderous assault upon G. D. Col,
Inns, at st. Louis last night by a man
supposed to be Martin Ensley, formerly
a we'll known resident of Memphis, has
created decided sensation here,
New York friends of the Ensley fam
lily are inclined to discredit the report.
Martin Ensley is one of the best known
eX-residents Of the Bluff City. He is a
son of the late Enoch Ensley, who was
one of the widest known residents of
the south an extensive mine owner
near Birmingham, the owner and oper-
ator of the largest plantation in the
south prior to the war, a money lender
and leader in politics and society.
Martin Ensley married Miss Bette
Seldom, Of Memphis, one of the most
prominent society bellies in the state.
The couple did not live happily to-
gether and about year ago Mrs Ems
ley brought suit for divorce, charging
non-support. Eneley made no defense
and divorce was granted. In bill
in court recently, an item referred to
the reduced state of Ensley's finances.