The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-08-15
THE RHODE ISLAND SENSATION.

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Last Saturday afternoon there was an
unpleasant affair at the residence OF
Ex-Scnnior sprague in the village Of
Narragansctt Pier near Providence,
n. L.. "
ihere were number of distih.
guisled visitors at the house, among
whom was Senator Conklng. Sprague
was seen in a passion, with a gun In
his hand and loud talking was heard by
some of the townspeoplo, and this OF
course gave rise TO all sorts of stories
OF shooting, etc. But no shooting re-
ally occurred, as it appears. A CORE.
spondent of the Boston Herald visited
the Pier and has probably got the cor
rect version of the affair. From his
article we gather the following:
II appears that Mrs. William Spraouo
ana children arrived in Rhode Island
from Washington about two weeks
ago, and after short stay at Watch
Hill, went to her husbands residence
at Narragansett Pier. Some months
ago she engaged German teacher for
her children named Prof. George
Linck of New York, and he was occI,-
pied with bis duties while the family
were IN Washington, and she requested
him to come 10 Narragansett pier TO
meet her husband to arrange for his
compensation. Linck came to the pier.
but Tor several days did not SEQ
Spraguc. AT last he met him at Watch
Hill about week ago, and. for some
unknown reason, Sprague took a vio-
lent and strong dislike to him. and
would have no business dealing with
him, even forbidding him to come to
his house at the pier. Linck, not real
izing that he was in earnest. went IN
Sprague's house OH Friday, and the re-
suit was that a very disgraceful en-
counter ensued. After Linck had been
in the house while, Sprague arrived.
and, when he saw the German, became
furious, and i'll spite of the fact that The
house had several guests, ladies and
gentlemen from Albany and elsewhere,
he ordered the man to leave, and seiz.
ing double-barrelled shotgun. threat.
ened to kill him if he did NOT 90.
Sprague had previously informed some
of the guests that they also had better
go, as it was probable there wouId be
murder in the house. The ladie,
screamed, and, naturally, there was 8
great deal OF excitement at the strange
action of the ex-senator. The house.
keeper underworld to quiet the infuri
ated man, but it was necessary TO,
Llnck TO depart before the fear o.
bloodshed was allayed. Tho German
left the house and went into the village
whittier, after time, Sprague follow
ed, but he did not chance to encounte,
him again. Senator Conkling was a
Spraguc's house during this alteration
but saw nothing of it, as he was i'm tho
library at the time, some distance from
the scene. 1t appears that Spragu,
had consulted Senator Conkling il
Washington some months ago upon ,
business matter connected with the set
Element of the Sprague estate, and, a,
the business was unfinished, and, as i
had been intimatcd to Senator Conklins
that Sprague wished to see him aeaiI
about it, the senator went over to thu
Pier from Newport in yacht with
party of friends Thursday afternoon
lie called at Sprague's house Friday
and was awaiting his arrival to consul
him in reference to the business. A,
before stated, he did not witness tn,
alteration, but, hearing the ladie,
scream. he Immediately sought then
out, and found they were DESTROYS t.
leave the house. There was an invalid
gentleman in the party of guests pres
ent in the house, and Senator Conklins
took him in his arms aud removed hin
to q carriage, and afterward saw thai
all present were conveyed from the
residence, as they were very mucf
frightened. He then walked to the vii
lagc of Narragansett Pier, half mile
or so from the house. After q few
minutes he passed up the main road
and, while walking along, met ex-Sen.
ator Sprague driving to the pier. Lie
stopped and asked Sprague what all
the trouble was about, saying he could
not understand why he should act SC
like wild man. Sprague said that he
knew his own business, refusing to give
any explanation of his actions. Sena.
tor Conkling went to the house of q
friend, and shortly after took the eve.
ming train for Providence. He was the
guest of Senator Anthony Friday night
and Saturday, and. Saturday evening
took the steamer for New York. The
report that Senator Conkling had 8
personal encounter with ex-senator
Sprague, and was shot by him, has nc
foundation whatever. Nothing of the
kind occurred, and the only thing to
give rise to stories is what is above re.
lated. 1t was Senator Conkling's mis-.
fortune to be in the Sprague residence
when the Linck alteration occurred
but he took no part in it, and was in nc
way involved in the affair.