The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-17
MYSTERY At ST. LOUIS
Martin Ensley Accused of Seri-
GUS Crime.
ROBBERY AT THE BOTTOM OF 1T.

iortune-The Man Who Is Accused of
the Robbery Said To BE Well Connected
STORY of the Robbery Told by the
Wounded Man.
st. Louis, June 17.-C. b. Collins OF
Nashville, Tenn, who said he had but
recently disposed of his hotel in that
city and had the proceeds, Sc, ,O00 on his
person, was found badly wounded about
midnight Tuesday night at Meramec
Highlands, fifteen miles from this city.
He was bleeding from several wounds
and was so badly injured that he could
not be moved. He told the watchman
of the inn near where he was found that
he had been stabbed and robbed of the
$4,000 by Martin Ensley, a travelling
man whom he had met in Nashville.
Shortly before o'clock Ensley was ar
rested while waiting for a car He de-
MED the robbery and said third person
had held up both him and Collins. Ems
ley's vest was covered with blood, so
the officers say and they found several
hundred dollars on his person. Ensley
registered at the Southern hotel as from
Memphis.
Something About Ensiey.
Martin Ensleys father was Colonel
ELoch Ensley, man of somewhat more
than national fame and regarded until
his death, three or four years ago, as
the richest individual in the south. Col
onel Ensley was a leading spirit of in
the development Of the mineral resources
of the south He was largely interest,"
ed in the Tennessee Coal and Iron cont
pany, established the steel works at Bes-
semer Ala, helped make Sheffield. Ala.
a great mining place, founded several
towns, one of which bears his name.
owned several big cotton plantations,
and was an intimate friend of Andrew
Carnegie. He had two children, Maj
tin, who is almost 32, and Lady, year
or two younger For the latter he named
the Lady Ensley mine, one of the larg-
est in Alabama. Martin occupied a
high position in the social circles of
Memphis, Nashville, Birmingham and
other southern cities during his fathers
life He was married to Bettye Selden,
daughter of NJ. l.. Selden, a wealthy
Memphis man. Miss Selden was regard
as the handsomest woman in the state.
When Colonel Ensley died it developed
ily that il was doubtful if anything
would be saved. About two years ago
southern society was startled by the an
nouncement that Martin Ensley's wife
was suing him for divorce on the ground
of nom support. Since the divorce Mar
tin has divided his time between Mem
phis, Nashville, Birmingham and other
cities where his father had interests.
Two Eye Witnesses.
Two men saw the terrible assault and
the robbery and witnessed the transfer
Of the money and the escape of the prin-
cipal and his accomplice. Charles Felt
er, 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-
fed Night Watchman Busch, and told
him the story. When Night Watchman
Busch reached the spot he found Col
lins lying fiat on his face, groaning but
unconscious. Blood was flowing from
several wounds o nthe scalp, the left
ear was nearly torn away. He was re-
moved to Kirkwood, where a physician
dressed his wounds. Ensley, after leav-
ing his victim, had run to the fence that
skirts the Kirkwood track, and then he
passed the money to his confederate.
Ensley did not try to board the car. In
stead, he ran along the fence and darted
down the hill leading to the river. Ar
irving there he followed the stream for
nearly mile, until he reached shanty
occupied by boatman.
Said He Had Been Robbed.
He pounded vigorously upon the
door. and when the old man opened 1t
he exclaimed: "Ive been robbed and
my friend has been murdered. Help!
Look, | am covered with blood" The
old man hastily dressed and, answering
the strangers appeal for assistance, he
| accompanied him up the river and then
up the hill toward the inn. Ensley evil
| IDENTIFY expected to find the body where
he had left 1t. and evinced great surprise
when he saw people running around.
Here is a man you want to tell your
| story to-" the old boatman said, as some
one came up. The arrival was Night
| Watchman Busch. To him Ensiey re-
peated the story he had told on the riv-
er bank.
"Whats your name?" asked Busch.
Martin Ensley," was the reply.
You are man 1 am looking for" said
Busch. II want you for murder" and
he seized his prisoner
| Ensley protested his innocence, but
was taken into the inn and placed under
| guard. All this occurred about mid
night. At 2 o'clock Wednesday morning
two deputy sheriffs from Clayton. the
county seat, arrived at Meramac High
lands They searched the grounds fol
a weapon and discovered a new ham
mer covered with blood. On Ensley wa'
found 5000, which at first was supposed
to be part Of the stolen money. At day
break Ensley was driven over to Kirk
wood, and Ii was broad daylight wher
the prisoner was taken to the room OF
the third floor of the North Side inn ant
brought face to face with the wounded
man. who was tossing on the bed.
IT'S this the man who struck your
asked a deputy.
Collins looked at him steadily. Yes
said he. "Ensley. how could you do it?'
he added.
Dsiven Over to Clayton.
The prisoner looked down. mutteret
something about having been assaulted
a. we'll and was led away. He wa
| xA>> Aetvau IN CLAYTON f. ~ ...-f-