The morning news., 1897-06-17
FRIEND TURNS OUT A FIEND.
WEALTHY TENNESsEEAN LURED
AWAY TO BE MURDERED.

His Assailnnt a Man He Had known
Had Been on Terms of Intimate
Friendship For six Years-Beatcm
InsensibIe with a Hammer, Rob
bed of $4,000 and Left For Dead.
Chances Against Victims RecOV-
ery-Murderer Arrested.
St Louis, Mo, June 1e.-C. D. Collins, a
wealthy Tennesseean, was lured to his
probable death Tuesday night by a man
he had known since boyhood and with
whom he had been on terms of intimate
friendship for six years.
His assailant is Martin Ensley of Mem
phis, whose father Col Enoch Ensley,
was one of the most prominent planters
of the south.
Ensley induced his companion to visit
Meramec Highlands, a summer resort fif-
teen miles from here. On the plea OF Ill
ness he led him to a clump of bushes
about seventy-ave yards from the hotel.
There, stepping behind his victim, he
dealt him blow after blow on the head
with a hammer he had purchased, pre-
the murder
When the pounding had reduced Collins
to a state Of insensibility, Ensley stopped
over the PROSTATE body and tore from a
vest pocket a roll Of bills that amounted
to 5000. He started up the hill and pass
ed the money to an accomplice, who is
believed to have escaped on street car.
Then the murderer ran down the path
leading to the Meramec river.
Two men saw the assault and robbery
and witnessed the transfer of the money
and the escape of the principal and his
accomplices. Charles Felter, baker en-
ployed at the inn, and gardener who had
been engaged about the grounds a fort
night, were the witnesses. They ran to
the inn and notified Night watchman
Busch and told him the story. Collins
was removed to Kirkwood, where a physi-
clan dressed his wounds.
Ensley, when arrested, protested his in
nocence claiming that he, too had been
assaulted.
All this occurred about midnight. At
o'clock this morning, two deputy sheriffs
from Clayton, the county seat arrived at
Meramec Highlands. They searched the
grounds for a weapon and discovered a
new hammer covered with blood. On Ems
ley was found $500, which at first was sup
posed to be part of the stolen money At
daybreak, Ensley was driven over to Kirk
wood, and identified by Collins as his as
sailant.
Memphis, Tenn, June 16.-The Associat-
ed Press dispatch, announcing the inur-
derous assault upon c. d. Collins at st.
Louis last night by a man supposed to
be Martin Ensley. formerly a well known
resident of Memphis, has created de-
cided sensation here.
Many friends of the Ensley family are
inclined to discredit the report.
Martin Ensley is one of the best known
ex-residents Of the Pine Bluff. He Is a
son of late Enoch Ensly who was one of
the widest known residents of the south
an extensive mine owner near Brming-
ham, the owner and operator of the largest
plantation in the south prior to the war,
IA money lender and leader In politics and
society.
Martin Ensley married Miss Bette Sell
don of Memphis, one of the most promi-
nent society bellies in the state The cou-
pie did not live happily together, and
about a year ago Mrs. Ensley brought
suit for divorce charging non-support
Ensley made no defense and a divorce
was granted. A bill in court recently in
an item referred to the reduced seate OF
Ensley's finances