Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-09-13
MFRS. spRAGUE's FLIGHT.

turned to COnonchet with her children
she has been subjected to many annoy
ances by the Governor, which culmlna-
ted on Saturday by an actual outburst
on his part. Her friends say that the
Governor, coming home Oh Friday
morning in an intoxicated condition,
suddenly went into the room where the
nurses were dressing the children, and,
seeing Mrs. Sprague there, said Ill
show you who is master here, and
without any further words took hold OF
her arm and shoulder, dragged her
around the room, and attempted to
throw her ont Of the window, saying,
before witnesses, that he would do so.
He was prevented from carrying his
threat into execution by those present.
The children were half dressed and
were screaming with fright.
Mrs. Sprague began quickly TO make
preparations to leave the place, and Sat
urday afternoon, about half past five,
quietly took her departure, accolnpan-
led by her three children, their nurses
and her luggage. So well were her
plans arranged that the Governor and
Ills nephew, Arthur Watson, who were
keeping a vigilant watch on her move
ments, knew nothing about her depart
ure until the party had good hour s
start and were many miles away. Mr..
Watson, upon finding them gone, i'm
mediately started down town with the
colored cook, aud drove to the depot
and hotels in hopes of finding some
clue 10 their whereabouts. Finding
none, he turned back, and when bali
way between the depot and the old
Pier met the Governor, who in haste
changed places with the cook and start
ed at break neck speed for Kingston
Junction. about eight miles away, leav-
ING the Pier At about the same time as
the train for Kingston. He spurred his
horse 30 race course speed, and then
BEGAN race between the Governor and
the train, he hoping to cut them OF II
they had got on board at any out.of-
the-way place along the line OF that
road. =,
When Conductor Hale S train arrived
at Kingston the governor was standing
on the platform with mud be-daubed
coat and excited face, watching for
signs of the missing party. He accost-
ed Conductor Hale with: "Have you
lnogcd off my children?' Mr. Hale told
him he had seen nothing of them; and
after looking through the boat tram
ana enQuiring of the officials at hlngs5-
ton Depot, the Governor started back
to the Pier, rs vas supposed, as all
trace Of his movements was lost from
that point. Willie, his son, who has
sided with his father during this unhap-
py affair, was started off on the road to
Tower Hill and Wakefield, but returned
unsuccessful in his search.
There are many theories as to the
manner in which Mrs. Sprague manag
ed the affair so adroitly 1t seems I'M
probable that she could have taken the
cars for no train left the Pier between
half-past five and half past seven o'clock,
and her departure was discovered be
tween those hours. Her son Willie
was at the depot keeping watch IN all
the interval between the time OF the
discovery end the departure OF the last
train. The general impression is that
Mrs. Sprague left in a steam yacht, and
lha, too, from the pier of the Newport
boat. y strange looking and very
fast steam yacht was seen lowering
about the pier all the afternoon, and
suddenly went up to the Newport boat
dock, and after waiting about ten MIN
utcs, then steamed rapidly away, per
haps with Mrs. Sprague on board.
1t is claimed by Mrs. Spragnes
friends that she had good cause tor
leaving Canonchct in so mysterious and
extraordinary manner; while on the
other hand it is maintained on behalf OF
Governor Sprague that he was JUSTIFIED
by the facts in keeping the. closest cs-
,ionage on all his wifes movements,
and in keeping her virtual prisoner at
Canonchet. At the meeting at Con
ductor Iale's residence at the Picr,
which was tie first interview between
the husband and wife after the eXpul-
sion of Mr. Conkling from Canoncbct
it was decided that Governor Sprasue
should have control of the children,
who had been taken with her by Mrs.
Sprague when she left her husband 5
house on the day of that memorable en-
counter After this decision as to the
disposal of the children, which was CON
Cured in 10y her counsel, Mrs. Sprague
was greatly agitated dnring the inter
view. When she was asked by Cover
nor Sprague whether she would return
to Canonchet, she said: Il fear tor my
life If I do" 81 never harmed any
one" said the Governor, "and you Will
be entirely safe.
But Mrs. Sprague persisted in her
assertion that Governor Sprague had
several times before threatened her lie,
and that she could not be safe if alone
with him in the house. She remained
At Conductor Halc's for some time after
the departure of Governor SpTagre
and the children, and there her agiia-
ton had assumed such form that her
counsel, MIR Thompson (Rowland llaz-
Yards partner, concluded that it
would be best for her to follow the
children. Accordingly he sent 10 one
Of the hotels for Mr. Skinner, q lawyer
from Ohio, who had been an intimate
friend OF the late Chief Justice Chase,
Mrs. Spragurs father. Mr.. Skinner,
Mrs. Sprague and Miss Emma Eos
dick, who had accompanied Mrs.
Sprague to the Pier from Providence,
went to Canonchet. Governor Sprague
consented that Mr.. Skinner should re-