Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-16

q kA0AlS0l0 30 muCn Oh
Scandal MS the Chicago Times would
Have It.
Special Telegram to the Inter Ocean.
Providence, r. l., Aug. 13.-Pursuant to
instructions from the Inter Ocean, [ came
here from Washington to investigate the
recent unfortunate affair which has gained
SO much publicity, and, after "a thorough
inquiry among those persons most familiar
with the incidents and associated circum-
stances, have found the following facts to he
true:
As has been we'll known to their intimate
friends for some years, but which would
have remained a family secret had not so
much publicity been given to recent occur
rences: The family of ex-senator Sprague
has not been a happy one for several years.
Five years ago he became financially Grip.
pied from difficulties growing out of the
panic, and has since been struggling to re-
cover some small portion of what was once
an immense fortune. His financial troubles
unsettled his habits, he became intemper-
ate, and deserted his old friends for COM
panions Of q lew grade of morals. Her
home became so unpleasant that four years
ago Mrs. Sprague went to Europe with her
family of four children, the eldest of which
is a boy of IA, and the youngest a girl of s,
and has not since lived with her husband
for more than two or three months at q
time.
On her return from Europe she went to
Washington to reside. and for the last two
years has occupied the old Chase homestead,
known as Edgewood, two miles north Of
Washington. Her relations with her hus
band have been friendly, but she has declin.
ed to live with him unless he would change
his habits of life, He is attached to biz
children, and has each year spent some time
with his family at Washington, while Mrs
Sprague has spent the summer months al
their former home, called Canonchet, i
short distance from this place, and neaI
or 80 ago, with her children, a usual.
On her way here in July she engaged, al
New York, a tutor for her children, in the
person of aGerman named Linck, who va,
to spend the summer with the family al
Canonchet, and return to Washington with
them in the fall. This German was sent to
Canonchet by Mrs. sprague in advance o.
her coming, in company with the eldest boy
and, being an important sort of q person
had q difficulty with Governor Sprague al
most Immediately after his arrival, abou,
the manner in which his pupil should spent
the Fourth Of July. The German seems t.
have assumed that he was the moral ~ vel
as mental director of the con, and his OWL
published statement, taken in connection
with statements made BY members of the
Sprague household, shows that he acted very
indiscreetly and assumed 80 much authority
in the premises that Sprague was indignant
and ordered him away. The man was i'm.
pertinent, and Governor sprague did wha'
all his friends approved Of, kicked him GU
Of the house.
Mrs. sprague was absent all this time
but received daily letters from the new tuto,
in which he represented that he was beinl
badly used by her husband, and knowing
that spfague was not always 10 condition :.
him to remain in the neiehborhood, expect
ing to be able on her azriyalto adjust mat
ter, but it seems that Linck continued Il
make matters worse, % that before Mn