The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-06-24


day night. Guthrie was not with us, but
Mr.. Collins proposed about S:15 in the |
evening that we ride out to Meremac
Heights. We rode out there.
about IL O'clock he said we ought to |
be going in, and assented. We left the
hotel and began, climbing the steps that
lead to the electric car loop or pavilion.
When about half way up, somebody
struck Collins ON the right side of the
against me. Then another man cam0 up
and aimed blow at me, but missed me.
saw that the man who struck Collins
had an implement in his hand. which |
afterwards found to be hammer. The
man had n black mustache, flannel shirt,
black trousers and common white hat
with no band. After hitting Collins
twice, the man dropped the hammer and
clinched with Collins. l picked up the
is possible in the darkness / may, too,
have struck Collins. knew hit some
body hard lick. Then l felt hand
in my pocket and dropped the hammer
to seize the hand, but the hand had my
watch, a valuable one bought in Mem
phis.
"After that l was struck in the face
with the watch and nearly knocked sense
less. l was dazed for second or two
and when recovered saw the men run
ming around the hotel and l took after
ants, but kept on after the men, calling
for help. They escaped among the trees
and shubbery.
Il searched for some time, but could
find no trace, and then began to realize
the horror of the situation and | made
search for the sheriff, of course. | was
so dazed and excited that do not remem-
Der where l wandered for the next half
hour. know l found n house. There
l was told how to find Waterman Busch,
and / gave myself up to him."
Ensley denied emphatcally that he
knew anything about Collins finances,
| and insisted that it was Collins who pro-
posed the ride.
Il could have no purpose in robbing
| him, said the prisoner.
Martin Ensley's father was Col Enoch
Ensley, man of something moro than
national fame and regarded until his
| death three or four years ago as the rich
| est individual in the south. Col. Ensley
| was II leading spirit in the development
| of the mineral resources of the south He
was largely interested in the Tennessee
| Coal and Iron company and established
the steel works at Bessemer, Ala, helped
make Sheffield, Ala, a great mining place,
founded several towns, one of which bears
his name, owned several big cotton plan
tations and was an intimate friend OF
Andrew Carnegie. He had two children
Martin, who is almost 81, and Lady, a
year or two younger. For the latter he
named the Lady Ensley mine, one of the
largest in Alabama.
Martin occupied a high position in the
social circles of Memphis, Louisville, Bir
mingham and other southern cities during
his fathers life. He was married to Der
tie Selden, daughter of M. l.. Selden, q
wealthy Memphis man. Miss Sedcn was
regarded as the handsomest woman in the
state. When Col. Ensley died it devel
oped that his estate was encountered S,
heavily that it was doubtful if anythinl
would be saved. About two years ag,
southern society was startled by the an
nouncement that Martin Ensley's wifi,
was suing him for divorce on the grount
of non-support. Since the divorce Martin
has divided his time between Memphis
Nashville Birmingham and other cities
where his father had interests.