The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-10-08


and which had been attracted hither
by the glowing narratives ofthe rich
ness of this section, he established
himself permanently in the vicinity
of Alexandria.
In February, 1913, he was married
to daughter fool. Hall, a gentle
man who had moved here from Scott
County, Kentucky.
When Cpl. Josiah S. Johnston went
to New Orleans with bis regiment of
Militia, to the assistance of General
jackson, Mr.. Sprigg accompanied
him as Quartermaster, but in the dis
positions afterwards made, he was
assigned to duty on the gun-boat
fleet, of the city, commanded by
Commodore Patterson, and took part
in the operations, under that officer
against the English. At the close
of hostilitics, Mr.. Sprigg returned
to his home near Alexandria, and de
voted himself to the career he had
last chosen, that of planter. Pos
sesscd of rare good sense, and Of
sound judgment, his enterprise and
energy were rewarded with the high
est. success, and he early acquired
prominence as one of the three great
landed proprietors of Bayou Robert
the other two being Archie P. Will
liams and George Y. Kelso.
His wife died in 1924, and in 1926
he married in Baton Rouge, Mrs.
Frances Senter, the young widow of
talented young surgeon of the reg
ular army, her family being then con
sidered one Of the proudest and most
aristocratic in the State.
In 1923, Mr.. Sprigg was elected
General Of Militia by the Legislature,
having been put in nomination by
Gcnl. Montfort Wells, who, at that
time, was a member Of that body
his opponent was P. A. Rost, Asso
ciate Justice Of the Supreme Court
of Louisiana.
In politics General Sprigg was a
lifelong Wing, and though strong in
his convictions, he never permitted
his opinions to cause him to assail
the motives of those who differed
with him. He was never an aspirant
for political honors, and indeed, so
strong was his aversion to the chron-
ic Office seeker, that he repeatedly
refused when pressed, to permit his
name to be mentioned in connection
with political preferment. Endowed
by nature with talents and abilities
of a very high order, and possessing
as he did a character which was
above rcproach, he was eminently
C. u'ated to adorn the highest sta
Lion. He was fond of recalling, and
possessed naturally, q legal turn OF
mind, which led j. Kingshury Elgee
and other eminent jurists to say that
had Gen. Spfigg been educated to the
Bar, he would have stood prc-emi
nenL-adding that they would rather
consult him in Il matter requiring
sound Judgment, than one of their
own profession.
Thirty or f"rty ycsrs ago, card
playing, in which the stakes were
sometimes enormous, WAS freely in.
dulgcd in, from which practice the
gentlemen of that day, in and around
Alexandria were not wholly exempt
Vingt et-un was favorite game, at q
seance one night, Of which General
Sprigg made one of the party, he wa.
gered about all that he was worth
on very low hand, he drew IND
made exactly twenty one. Judge
Miller, who was in the game, seized
the lucky card, and throwing it dowr
on the table before Gen. Sprigg, ir
his nervous, emphatic manner, ani
in his peculiar tone of voice, said
"Sprigg, 60 home and nail this care
up at the foot of your bed, where
you can see it every morning wher
you wake, and never play another
card as long as you live"
i His habits were, however, unex
ceptional, and we relate this anec
dote as characteristic Of those times
Firm and devoted in his friendships
he was Interchangeable, unless he dis
covered treachcry or deceit, which
was sure to meet his most pronoun
? ced adherence. Generous, yet a
the same time an economist in th
right, true way, he ever extended tn
hand Of kindness and hospitality t
those worthy Of assistance. Th
: company of young men afforded him
avon in unoturo oun tho l,snhnot ~,