New-York tribune., 1921-06-17
Kills Wealthy
Widow, Y, In
Jealous Rage
Shell-Shocked British War
Veteran Then Ends Own
Life i'm Apartment of
His Victim i'm Chicago
She Had Given Him Home
Befriended Slayer, Former
Prizefighter, Until His AT
tentions Annoyed Her
Specia, DISPATCH to The Tr;bur 4

Special Dispatch to The Tribune
CHICAGO, June 16.-Mrs. Margaret
Ennis. seventy-two years old, step
mother of Callistus S. Ennis sr., mil
iionaire real estate dealer, was shot
and killed in her apartment house, at
615S Greenwood Avenue, tonight by
Sergeant Thomas Smyth of the British
army, former middleweight pugilistic
champion Of Ireland. Immediately
after the Staying of Mrs. Ennis smyth
killed himself with bullet in the head.
The double Staying was the result,
the police say, of jealousy and un-
requited love on the part of Smyth.
The "other man, police declare, is
Harry t. McInerny, plumber, address
at present unknown. Smyth was
thirty-six years old.
Mrs. Ennis, widow of James Ennis,
Chicago lawyer, who died forty-one
years ago, met smyth, according to
police information, shortly after the
latter's return from the late war, where
he had enlisted with the Royal En-
gineers and risen to the rank of
sergeant.
Mrs. Ennis at that time, neighbors
say, was greatly interested in relief
work for returned soldiers. Smyth had
been badly wounded by shrapnel dur
ing Mesopotamia battle. At Mrs.
Ennis's invitation he took room at
her apartment.
At that time Mrs. Ennis owned the
apartment building at 6156-58 Green
wood Avenue, on the second foor of
which she was killed She sold this
Wood, neighbor, for 100000.
Left at Her Request
Smyth continued to room at the home
Of Mrs. Ennis until about two months
ago, when he left at her request. Previ-
Gus to this time McInerny had appeared
on the scene. Police say rivalry for
the affections of Mrs. Ennis developed
between them and resulted in Smyth's
dismissal from the Ennis apartment.
Frequently after that Smyth would
walk up and down in front of the
Ennis apartment, neighbors. said, and
made many attempts to see Mrs. Ennis.
This eliminated two weeks ago in an
attempt to break into the Ennis apart
rrent at midnight. The next day g.
complaint was sworn against him in
police court by McInerny. Smyth was
placed under peace bond. McInerny
disappeared and has not been seen
since.
Mrs. Ennis, following the action, de-
termined to leave Chicago, according
house, made arrangements for the
rental of other real estate owned by
her, packed up her furniture and pre-
pared 20 take up her residence with a
sister in Kansas City, Mo.
This afternoon Smyth appeared at
the rear of the Ennis apartment build
ing. He walked up to the second floor
and engaged in conversation with Mrs.
Ennis. A few minutes later the latter
called to Miss Dorothy Post, who lives
in the apartment above that which Mrs.
Ennis was vacating. Miss Post ran
downstairs.
"Smyth was standing there talking in
loud tone Of voice to Mrs. Ennis" she
said. "He appeared to be drunk. Mrs.
Ennis was asking him to go away
that she didn't want him hanging
around. He told her to go inside. She
refused.
Pulls Her Inside and Fires
"His manner was so threatening /
ran upstairs. AS was going saw him
grab her by the wrist and pull her
inside the kitchen. Then came four
shots.
"I screamed and ran to the telephone
and notified the police. Then I ran
downstairs. Mrs. Anna Bixton. who
lives with me. came with me.
eve ran inside Mrs. .Ennis's apartment.
and there on the floor were the bodies
Of her and Smyth. Both were dead.
Mrs. Ennis had been shot twice through
the breast. Smyth had been shot once
in the right temple"
From papers found in Smyth's room
his identity as the Tom Greek Smyth
who retired as undefeated pugilistic