Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-19
THE SPRAGUES,

CCs
Habits and Manners Of those Interested
IN the Late scandal.
William Sprague is man of slight build,
dark compilation, black mustache and wears
eye glasses. A somewhat peculiar trait has
developed itself in him since the failure. He
has the notion that it devolves on him to raise
the fallen fortunes of the family. Sometimes
he will 60 to what people call "extremes'' in
his endeavor to do something to satisfy his
mind in this direction. During great flood
in Rhode Island, several years ago, in which
number of dams were swept away at the
Sprague mills at the village of Baltic, Gov
Sprague joined his gang of laborers with
shovel and did his best to repair the damage.
William Sprague's prominence was at its
height during the war. AS the war gov
ernOr he was most active in raising and
equipp,ng troops for the service. He. too.
served in the army awhile az colonel. It was
after the war that his political experience
began. The Spragues have long been a
power in the politics of Rhode Island. Will.
liam was most active in this direction.
Amasa is more conservative, and, though
probably not less influential in politics.
cares nothing for its honors. After the
close of the war William was elected to the
United States Senate. In Washing
ton his dash and wealth at once made him
a favorite in society. Managing NAM
mas we're never exercised over ANYTHING
more than they were by the advent of this
very desirable young man. Miss Kate Chase
was then reigning belle in Washington 80.
ciety,an the facts of her marriage to Senator
Sprague subsequently are too we'll known to
need repetition.
1t is said there was good deal of real
friendliness between William Sprague and
old Salmon P. Chase, his father in-law.
Judge Chase was a frequent visitor at his
son-ln-law's residence at Narragansett Pier
after the marriage and up to the time of his
death. This residence is among the most
magnificent to be found in Rhode Island,
and is said to cost almost fortune yearly to
keep it up.
Since the expiration of Senator Sprague's
term in Congress he has been mostly at
home assisting, in common with his broth
or, the trustee in the settling up of their af.
fairs. His wife, who has fortune in her
own right, inherited from her father, spends
less time in Rhode Island than in Washing
ton, where she is still reigning queen in
society.
DoVn ouo OPIaRuo uTOtuotS nave the name
OF being very systematic in their business
management. Amasa is reputed to be more
cool-headed and careful than his borther. II
is generally believed that to the latter is due
the ambitious extension of business-sup-
posed to have been against his brothers ad-
vice-and which some claim has tended to
bring their difficulties on. Both OF
the brothers have been rather high
livers. Amasa was the founder of the cele.
brated Narragansett Pier trottinq park.
which, in the palmy days of the Spraaues,
was one of the finest in the country. He
kept a large stud of horses and made the
place resort for not only prominent racing
people from all over the country, but favor.
| ite place for the exhibition of agricultural
| and industrial products.
The Sprague family at present consist OF
the two brothers, mother and sister. The
latter is the wife of the mayor of Providence
Thomas A. Doyle, one Of the most promi.
nent men In Rhode Island, who has beer
elected thirteen different times to the may.
orally. Doyle is regarded as one of the com
ing men of the State. In politics he IS {
Republican.
The mother of the Sprague brothers still
lives in Providence. She is venerable lady
highly respected, and, strangely enough, is
firm believer in spirituallsm, from which sh,