Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-08-23
SCANDAL IN HIGH PLACES.

There was an unpleasantness at the
summer residence of ex-senator Sprague,
of Rhode Island, on Friday last, which
has brought out a dish of scandal great
ly to be regretted. 1t is said that
Sprague became incensed at the Germsn
teacher employed in his family, and
with gun in hand ordered him to leave
the house-and that Senator Conkllng,
who happened to be in the Sprague
mansion on legal business, endeavored
to quell the disturbance, That is one
version. Another is that too close in
timacy has for some time existed be-
tween the New York Senator and Mrs.
Sprague, aud that the introduction OF
the German teacher as the cause Of the
difficulty is ruse,-that the real troub-
le was between the injured Sprague and
Senator G. In the multiplicity OF ru-
| mors it is difficult to get at the exact
state OF affairs, but the recent outbreak
has laid the foundation for enough do
mestc scandal, if one half of it be true.
to blight the future happiness of doz-
en- well-regulated families. Unpleasant
rumors were ahoat in Washington last
winter, over the conduct OF Conkling
and Mrs. S., all of which are now re-
yived and paraded before the public
with shocking particularly, and must
ever leave dark spot in the social his.
tory of the parties implicated. Perhaps
the next few days will develop some
thing more authentic.
THE DETAILS OF THE TROUBLE.
The New York World gives its YER
sion of the affair, and after declaring
that the trouble "aIose not between any
professor of German and Ex-Governor
Sprague, but between ex-Gov. Spraguc
and Senator Conkliug," proceeds as fol
lows:
"Either on Wednesday night or
Thursday morning Senator Conkling
arrived at Narragansett Pier. With him
or after him came a trunk and large
valise. These articles of baggage were
taken to the Sprague mansion by the
direction of Senator Conkling lie re-
mained there as a visitor the next day,
and was on hotel piazza during the
next evening conversing with some Ia
dies During Friday afternoon Gov.
Sprague was observed driving about
Narragansett Pier, having been at home
entertaining his guests the night pre-
vious, though he had been absent for
day or two before. He had a gun with
him, which it is believed that he loaded
earlier in the day. Finally he drove TO
the rear of his house, which is about'a
mile and half from the Pier, and came
through the house in a somewhat eX-
cited condition. lie got out TO the
piazza, where he found Senator Conk-
ling conversing with Mrs. Sprague, who
was at a window. Gov. Sprague then
said addressing Senator Conkling, Are
YOU armed, sir? and Conkling replied:
No, | aln not. Then, said ex-Gov.
Sprague, i give you five minutes to get
off these premises. If you are not away
| will fire at you" Ex-Gov. Sprague is
said then to have made use Of some fur
ther exasperating language. Senator
Conkling, seeming much surprised, but
remembering that he was under ex-Gov.
Sprague's root, rose and walked few
steps away while Mrs. Sprague came
out of the house and stood between
them. Ex-Gov. Sprague stood looking
at Senator Conkling while carriage
drove up which had been ordered to
take Mrs. Sprague for drive. When
Mrs. Sprague found that ex Governor
Sprague was apparently determined on
an unpleasant scene she called for her
hat and shawl, which Mrs. Martin, a
friend and guest in the house, brought
her.
"After ex-Gov. Sprague repeated his
peremptory order TO Mr. Conkling to
quit bis house there was some hesitancy
on the part of the New York Senator as
to what should be done, but seeing no
hope of rational solution he finally |
took his hat, and entering the carriage, |
went down to the Pier, stopping on the
way at Billingtons restaurant. Scarce
" had he arrived there and got out of |
the conveyance than ex Gov. Sprague,
who had followed, came up, and it is
therefore certain that the latter must
have kept his horse hitched mp ready
for use 10 follow Senator Conkling. On !
the arrival of ex-Gov. Sprague at Bill
lington's another exchange Of words
took place. Sifted down the foregoing
are the principal facts in the case, so far
as Mr.. Conkling and Mr. Sprague are
concerned. AS TO the alleged cause Of
the hostility of Mr.. Sprague TO Mr. |
Conkling, it is only certain that the
German teacher, so indiscreetly and
foolshly brought into the matter, had
nothing whatever to do with il.
After the encounter Mrs. Sprague went !
10 Mr.. Perry's, near by, and subse-
quently TO the Tower House, where it
is understood she remained over night
Saturday she gave orders to have her
trunks packed at the exGoyernor's house
and put on the train for Providence.
She sent her children and maid TO the de-
pot nearest the Tower Hill House aud
said she would take the cars at the Mar
ragansett Pier depot, which she subse-
quently did, and met her family higher
up the line. Soon afterwards Mrs.
Sprague went to the Pier depot for
Providence Ex-Governor Sprague went
to Providence Saturday, bat be did not
see bis wife, going on different train.
That ex-senator and Mrs. Sprague have
been on most unhappy terms for some
time is a matter Of general notoriety
here.
''The principal topic of conversation