The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-06-19
A BASE CRIME.


assailant Is Martin Ensley. of Memphis.
whose father. Col. Enoch Ensley. was
one OF the most prominent mine own
ers and planters OF the south.
Ensley induced his companion 10
visit Meramec Highlands, summer
resort IS miles from here. On the plea
OF illness, he led his companion to a
clump of bushes about rs yards from
the hotel. There. stepping behind his
victim, he dealt him blow after blow on
the head with a hammer he had pur-
chased presumably for the purpose of
committing the murder.
When the pounding with the piece OF
steel had reduced Collins 10 insensibil-
ity Ensley stopped over the PROSTATE
body and tore from vest pocket roll
OF bills that amounted 10 $4,000.
He darted up the hill and passed the
money TO an nccomplice, who is be-
lieyed 10 have escaped on trolley car.
Then the would-be murderer ran down
the path leading 10 the Meramec river.
Two men saw the terrible assault and
the robbery aud witnessed the trans
fer OF the money and the escape of the
principal and his accomplice.
Ensley. after leaving his victim. had
run 10 the fence that skirts the Kirk
wood track. and then he passed the
money 10 his confederate. Ensley did
not try TO hoard the car. Instead he
ran along the fence and darted down the
hill leading 10 the river. Arriving
there he followed the stream for nearly
mile until he reached shanty occu'
pied by q boatman.
lie pounded vigorously upon the door
and when the old man opened IL he ex-
claimed: "Tve been robbed and my
friend has been murdered. Help. Look,
| am covered with blood"
The old man hastily dressed and an
swering the strangers appeal for as
sistance he accompanied him up the
river and then up the hill toward the
inn.
Ensley evidently expected to find the
body where he had left ii and eynced
great surprise when he saw people
running around. Night Waterman
Busch arrested Ensley, charging him
with the crime.
Ensley protested his Innocence, but
was talAn into the inn and placed
under guard.
All this occurred about midnight. At
two o'clock in the morning two deputy
shcriffs FROM Clayton, the county seat,
arrived at Meramec Highlands. They
searched the grounds for weapon and
discovered new hammer covered with
blood. On Enslcy was found 5000,
which at first was supposed TO be part
OF the stolen money.
At daybreak Ensley was driven over
To KirkwoOd, and il was broad daylight
when the prisoner was taken TO the
room on the third floor OF the North
Side inn and brought face to face with
the wounded man who was tossing on
the bed. and who AZ once identified him.
DR.. Pittman, WHO attended Mr.. Col
Inns, said his wounds, which are ten In
number. will not prove fatal unless
blood poisoning follows.
Martin Ensley is locked up In the
county Jail at Clayton.
collins. the wounded man. has n stable
here at the fair grounds. but he runs the
horses under an assumed name. He has
always had a penchant for thoroughbreds.
but his parents, who are prominent IN
Nashville. objected 10 his owning race
Cleveland. o. This spring Collins decided
10 try his luck on the track He was Of
fered good price for hotel he owned
In .O00-ond. closing the bar
gain. made arrangements for placing a
stable at one OF the tracks.
In order TO be at perfect liberty he sent
his wife 10 her relatives I'm Cleveland and
then. unfolding his plans 10 Martin
Ensloy. his boon companion, and asking
him 10 accompany him. he purchased two
horses which had run at Memphis and
which he fnncied and left with them for
st. Louis. Enslcy accompanied him. Cot
Inns had $4,000 at his command and Enslcy
81 900 or so.
The arrangement entered into at Nash
Vile was that Ensley should figure In all
business transactions. as Collins did not
wish his name 10 appearl
Martin Ensley's father was Col Enoch
Ensley a man OF something more than ma
tionRl fame and regarded until his death.
three or four years ago. as the richest
individual In the south. Col. Ensley was n
leading spirit "a the development OF the
mineral resources or the south. He WAS
largely Interested In the Tennessee Coal
a. Iron company. established the steel
works az Bessemer, Ala. helped make
Sheffield. Ala. great mining place.
founded several towns. one OF which bears
his name: owned several biz cotton planta-
lions and was an intimate friend or An
drew Carnegie He had two children:
Martin. who Is almost 81. and Lady. year
the Lady Ensley mine. one OF the largest
IN Alabama.
Martin occupied n high position In the
social circles OF Memphis. Nashville Bir-
mngham and other southern cities during
his fathers life. He was married TO IBet-
tyo Selden, daughter OF " l.. Selden "A
wealthy Memphis man. Miss selden was
regarded as the handsomest woman I'm the
state. When Col. Ensey died Il developed
that his estate was encountered 80 heavily
that Il was doubtful II anything would be
saved. About two years ago southern So
ciety was startled by the announcement
that Martin Ensleys wife was suing him
for divorce on the ground OF non-support
Since the divorce Martin has divided his
time between Memphis. Nashville Birming-
ham and other cities where his father had
interests.
Alleged hank Robbers Indicted.
Galcsburg, ILL.,, June Thames Riley
and William Powers, charged with
blowing up the safe OF the Oneida bank
and stealing $4,000 In cash, and who