The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-16
.HUNTING MIG GAME,

The summer residents ofthis fashion.
able watering place arc In culver Of
excitement over the alleged tistic en-
counter between Senator CoDkling and
Governor Sprague. How much truth
there is In the report 1t Is very difficult
to ascertain, for every one questioned
Processes entire ignorance, Or absolute
ly refuses to talk. One story is as fol-
lows: Governor Sprague and family
occupied al elegant summer mansion
here this summer, as in past years, and
arc enjoying the cool brcczcs and love-
ly view which the residence affords.
1t is stated, that for a few days past,
TIC Governor had been absent on bust
ness, and upon his return he found
Senator Conkling guest at his house,
having been there, SO it is understood.
quito u number ofdays, and, Of course,
without his knowledge or consent.
Report has it that the Governor .waxed
very angry and ordered the Sclator
out, but that Roscoe refused to 90.
Words came thick and fast, and it is
alleged the Governor told ConkliDg he
had seen all of him he cared to in
Washington, and would have nothing
more to do with him, and again order
him out Of the house. COnkling not
complying, lie ran up stairs, SO it is
said, fora revolver, and when he re-
turned the Senator was conspicuous
by bis absence. 1t appears that Gov
ernor Sprague has a very beautiful
and attractive wife, but that they do
not live happily together is no secret.
1t in fact is said that they arc SO cs-
traDged that they seldom speak to each
other. Last winter Mrs. Spraguc was
in Washington, at Edgewood, her faith
er's old mansion in the suburbs of The
city, her husband being at Providence.
In the meanwhile, she had reserved
seatin the Senate chamber, and was
always there when Conkling had
speech to deliver, and she almost in
variably proceeded to her residence in
The Senator's private carriage. 1t is
well known in society circles OF the
capital that Conkling, while ostensibly
his home at Wormlcy's, passed
a large portion Of his time, both day
and night, at Mrs. Sprague's house.
This, it is believed here, is the cause Of
the trouble i'll the Spraguc family.
Dame rumor has it that Oil Friday al
ternoon more trouble oc CURED be-
tween Sprague and Conkling. The
scene was Billiugton's cafe, on the
pier, and the story of the affair is as
follows: Conkling was in the cafe cat
ing Little Neck clans when Sprague
came down the pier and saw him. 1t
is said that he became very angry and
rushed at him exclaiming: s'Let me
get at the damned scoundrel" Conk-
ling bristlcd up and was ready to meet
his assailant, and there would undoubt-
edly have been little bloodshcd if by
standers and friends had not interfer-
cd. Reports were circulated that
pistol was drawn, but they can not be
traced to any authentic source. Anoth-
er side of the story is given, by which
the French professor Of the Governors
children is brought into uncnviable
notoricty. It is alleged that the Gov
ernor suspected the professor Of undue
familiarity with his wife, and that he
so told him, and that the result was q
storm, and the Frcnchman's dismissal.
The above facts seem to be all that can
be gathered at present. Governor
Spraguc was on the train from Narra-
gansctt Pier for Providence this eve
ming, and n reporter interviewed him.
The Governor positively refused to give
any of the facts in the case, and said
that it was purely a family matter, and
the public could have no possible inter-
est in tho affair.
Another Account.
"Ex-Senator Sprague attacked q
German teacher Of his children with a
pistol, but Senator Conkling interpos-
ed and prevented murdcr,"i is substan-
TALLY the story sent by nj Associate
Press telegram from Providence to the
Sunday papers, but the most general
exclamation Of all we'll posted people
of the city Of Washington on reading it
was "too thin" "Conkling and
Sprague were not brought together on
account of so inconslderable a person
as German teacher" said Senator
to one of the Post representative yes
terday.
"There has been plenty of material
for all able-bodied scandal in that quar-
tor" said another we'll posted gentle
mnn, "and the result Of it has been all
attempt on the part of ex-senator
Sprague to revenge himself. It was
the noble form of Lord Roscoe himself
that SpraguoF"was seeking to make a
target Of" ,.. .
It will certainly not surprise many
Intelligent persons, who spent the past
winter in this city, to learn that q
much-talked of affair has eliminated
in attempted violence, and possible dis
grace to all tho parties concerned.
The intimate relations existing be-
tween Senator Conkling and the wife
of ex-senator and Ex-Governor
Sprague have been talked over in un-
dcrtones in Washington society and
political circles for upwards Of three
years. It has been hinted at darkly in
newspaper correspondence quite fire.
quently, butafeelings Of regard or pity
for "the woman ili the case" has induc-
ed the press generally to suppress, in
stead of parading, accessible informa-
ton. Last spring, when Senator
Conkling so energetically advocated
the bill to relieve Mrs. Sprague's es-
tate from taxation, everybody was sot
to talking.
DurinD the xvintnr ood enrino both