Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-06-17
WEALTHY TENNEsSEEAN- ALL But
SLAIN BY HIS FRIEND.
THE MOTIVE WAS ROBBERY.
AssAIANT THE son OF A MOST
PROMINENT SOUTHERNER.
c. ID. Collins, of Nashville, MurderOus-
Iy Assaulted Near 81. Louis by
Martin EnsIey, Formerly of
Memphis-EnsIey Made
a $4,000 Haul.

st. Louis No, June &c. D. Collins, a
wealthy Tennesseean, was lured to his
. probable death Tuesday night by man he
had known since boyhood, and with whom
he has been on terms Of intimate friend
ship for six years. His assailant Is Martin
Ensley. Of Memphis whose father Colonel
Enoch Ensley was one Of the most promi-
nent mine owners and planters Of the
South.
Ensley induced his companion to visit
Meramec Highlands, q summer resort. If
teen miles from here. On the plea OF Ill
ness, he led him TO a clump OF bushes about
seventy-flve yards from the hotel. There.
. stepping behind his victim, he dealt him
blow after blow on the head with q ham
ner, which he had purchased. presumably
for the purpose Of committing the murder.
When the pounding had reduced Collins
. to a state Of insensibility Ensley stopped
over the PROSTATE body and took from
vest pocket q roll Of bills that amounted
10 $500. He Garted up the hill and gave
the money to an accomplices who Is be-
Meved to have escaped on q trolley car.
Then the wOuld-be murderer ran down the
path leading 10 the Meramec river and,
after going a mile, aroused boatman, and'
declaring that he and companion had
been attacked and robbed. returned with
him.
inn, and a gardener who had been engaged
about the grounds a fortnight, saw the
crime, ran to the inn and notified Night
Watchman Busch. The latter arrested Ems
ley as soon as he returned.
At daybreak Ensley was driven to Kirk
wood, where Collins had been taken, and
was led before Collins who was only part
ly conscious. but who Identified him at
once.
Collins, the wounded man, has a stable
here at the fair grounds. but he runs the
horses under an assumed name. He had
always had a penchant for thorOughbreds,
but his parents. who are of note in Nash
vile, objected to his owning race horses,
and so did his wife, who is from Cleveland.
o. This spring he was offered a good price
for hotel he owned in Nashville-S25. 0Oo-
and, closing the bargain, made arrange
ments for placing a stable at one Of the
tracks. He sent his wife to her. relatives
in Cleveland and then unfolded his plans
TO Martin Ensley, his boon companion, and
asked him 10 accompany him. Collins pur-
chased two horses which had run at Mem
phis and came here with them.
EDsley's father was Colonel Enoch Ems
ley. man of something more than ma
tional fame and regarded until his death.
three or four years ago, as the richest in
dividual in the South. He was largely in
Company; established the steel works at
Bessemer, Ala; helped to make Sheffield.
Ala, great mining place. founded several
towns. one of which bears his name;
owned several big cotton plantations and
was an intimate friend of Andrew Carne-
gle. He had two children. Martin, who is
almost g, and Lady, a year or two young
er. For the latter he named the Lady
Ensley mine, one Of the largest in Ala
bama. Martin occupied a high position in
the social circles of Memphis, Nashville.
Birmingham and other Southern cities dur
ing his fathers life. He was married TO
Bettie Selden, daughter of NJ. L. Selden,
wealthy Memphis man.
Miss Selden was regarded as the hand
soonest woman in the state. When Colonel
Ensley died It developed that his estate
was incumbered so heavily that it was
doubtful if, anything would be saved. About
two years ago Southern society was start
led BY the announcement that Martin Ems
leys wife was suing him for divorce on
the ground Of nop-support. Since the di-
vorce, Martin has divided his time be-
tween Memphis. Nashville, Birmingham
and other cities where his father had in |
teTeSts.
Ensley declared to the prosecuting at |
torney at Clayton that he and Collins were |
attacked on the steps of the electric line |
pavilion by two men whom he described. |
He declared that the man who attacked |
Collins dropped the hammer and he TINS |
ley) secured it and began to use it freely. |
Then he was robbed OF his watch and |
he recovered he pursued the men for some |
time, but lost them.