The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-07-04
MRS. sPRA6UEs PROPERTY.
The Controversy Over u Between Her Mother
and Her Husband.

Annie Pope, daughter OF the first owner
and manager of the wcll-knowr Popns Park in
South Brooklyn. was married against her pa
rcnts' will. about three years ago. 10 one Patrick
jeffrey, plastcrcr. and he took her to live with
him in Bay Ridge. Mr. Pope began procccd-
ngs to have the marriage nnuulicd. on the
ground Of pred sposition in his daughter to in
sanity and Justice Nelson granted an order
annulliug the marriage. although the husband
of Anuic Pope and muny of her friends claimed
tina, she was wholly sumo. In March. 1876. Mr..
Iope died lenving property worth about $50 600,
on which Hannah, his widow, took out letters 81
administration. Soon after her husband died,
u niamn Spraguc, Il li.l Gate pilot, who WINS
Stopping with his aunt ~ Bay Ridge took
chnrl:c of Mrs. pOpe'- property and remained
at the place. Mt Mr.. Popc's request until Aug.
20 H. then won't haeN to his business hut
throughout the idil aud winter he correspondent
with Miss Annie Pope. and ut length got her
consent to marry him IN the next y tohcr.
In Nav last. ON II visit to Brooklyn he wont
with Mrs Pope t. Gen. Crookn's Office h. get
some advice about note While there Gen.
Crook tea her mat ~ her dauGhtcr Annie was
away All Of the property she had at a stroke Of
the pen and thai she should marry. or in some
cXtlaimcd 10 Mr. Spraguc. For God's sake 4
you are going to Mirry Annie. get married
now and she was not content until she had
ssourcd their marriage on that day. which WAS
Nav last, Mr.. SprHgue. on looking into the
nilnr- of the estate, found that Mrs, Pope had
rogate. and he obtained I'm qrdcrto show why
sho should not be compelled TO HE 4 at once,
On the beginning of this proceeding Mrs. Pope
WIS Informed that Spraguc intended to get the
property all into his own hands 10y making his
wife sign II over 60 him. and IT Is alleged that
he began to inform the tenants not to pay any
more rent To- Mrs. Pope.
Mrs. Pope then hegan proceedings to have hor
daughter adJudgcd u lnnatic. and To ilavc com
mltt"e appointed ON her rstat. ard Justice Gil
bert appointed DR.. Meyers. William Cropsey
anu j. a. Perry ns commissioners TO hear and
determine the question of lunacy. They held
their first session Yesterday. hut adjourned
without taking testimony. Mrs. Srraguc sal
with her husband. and WAS composed and Indy
/ Ike. She IL tall. of fine form. with Il clear
/ fresh compls NiOn pleasant features. and light
llur eyes. Mir Sprague said that when he mar
riod her he told her that he had been married
! before. but that he had not seen his wife for six
| teen years. and had heard that she was married
/ again. About ten days ago Mrs. Pope saw IN
/ newspaper the account Of divOrc" proceedings
against Benjamin Spragg. n Hell Gate pilot. 81
| the ground OF abandonment. and thinking thai
| il was her son-in law. attacked her daughter
iuriuusly. SO Mr.. Spralsur saws and drove hel
| ont of the house in a drnnching rain storm
! with no shoes ON. and nothing about her excep
! aniyht dress and his coat. At IL o'clock a
! night she was forced 10 seek shelter In neigh
| hor's house. H. says that Mrs Pope IL cage
10 get al, ~ tn" property. and desires to deprive
| his wife oi il. His wife. he added. was entirely
| snne. aud bore w hrpycly under circumstance
| that would have made almost any one else in
! sane,