Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-09-02
The Sprague Scandal.


AS already published, Mrs. Sprague escaped
from ner husbands house on Saturday last,
with her three daughters the son rem shining
Win MS rather. dispatch from Nara yansett
fler says: The escape was arranged and car
aleo our very successfully by lawyer named
Thompson, OF Providence. Mrs. Sprague, who
had been watched by her husband since her
house upon whom She could rely, whom money
could not purchase, and she made known her
deslres TO Thompson. Her aim was to leave
sprague had no objection to her leaving, but he
dld desire to keep the children. Mr. Thompson,
therefore, arranged to send down q carriage to
stood Shst Mrs. neq ana 10 hav was Ser d
rem In readiness upon its appearance. So well
was the programme carried out that at the
moment mon Mrs: sprague was at one place and the
children at another, each party was taken up
and driven at break-neck speed to railroad
depot on the Shore line, from which point they
were taken in a boat TO Fall River, and it ia
believed, proceeded to Boston, where Mrs.
Sprague has many friends. At all events the
secret Of her whereabouts has been so well pre-
served that Gov. sprague is ignorant of them,
that will possibly bring about very
SENSATIONAL RESULTS.
ne mas stated OF late, IN the presence Of most
respectable witnesses, that he is In possession
that Will free him OF her. This was at the
residence Of Conductor Hale, whose wife and
another lady were not only listeners to the con-
eefsatlon that took place between Mr.. Sprague
and his wife, but were In the room where 1t &C.
CURED. On Sunday last Mr.. Sprague and his
lawyer were together for several hours, and it
Is known That they agreed upon plan OF &C
mat Mr. Sprague Is to apply to the courts for
possession OF his children. His claim Is to be
mat they have been removed from his house In
sorfept'tious manner by his wife, and With
out any semblance OF authority from him. This
Is not only 10 be construed as an abduction OF
the children, but also as desertion of the wife
from the husband. Mr.. Sprague, In the pres
ence OF witnesses,
HAS ACCUSED HIS WIFE
OF intimacy, whether undue or not refrain
from saying, with Senator ConKiing, and has
told her directly, In the presence OF Mrs. Hale
the money on the New York Senator that he
had given her for the support OF herself and his
children. Mr.. Sprague has been accused OF
oeg a rrnEe LOT several days but careful in
mat they have been grossly exaggerated
Mnen ne mad the last fracaS with his wife, on
Friday last, he is said to have thrown her
children. This he denies so far as the throwing
about Is concerned, but he admits that he
entered the room where his children were with
the object OF taking them out with him and
thereby showing that he was their rIghtful
guardian. 1t is stated upon the best authority
next to the individuals themselves, that Gov.
Sprague Will file petition for divorce at once,
and 1t is claimed that he will nave In his POI
session suca facts to support his case as will
leave no question as to his right to bring the
suit.
DENIALS.
dispatch to the Boston Herald from Proyl-
dence, referring to the recent statements reIa-
tive to the Sprague difficulties, denies that Mrs
Sprague left Newport in steam yacht On Sat-
urday, and AYERS 'the governor denies in toto
that he kept any watch over his wife, or that
he intercepted any of her letters or MESSAGE
1t further stated that "Gov. Sprague does not
at the present intend to sue for divorce, but will
take immediate steps to regain possession OF his
daughters"
LETTER FROM GOV. SPRAGUE.
GOV. Sprague On Sunday sent the following
letter to Mrs. Sprague's counsel:
NARRAGANsETT PIER, r. l., August 30, 1873
Of course have natural desire to know OF the
present Well-betng and situation OF my three
children, who, without my knowledge or con-
sent, were taken from my Jurisdiction and con-
troll yesterday afternoon. My purpose is to con-
tribute to their comfort as far as possible. The
object OF this note is to say that their wearing
apparel and personal effects are ready to be
forwarded to them In any way that you, as
counsel for Mrs. Sprague, Will Indicate The
brother OF the little girls (William Spraguel is
bearer OF this note. am, etc,
WILLIAM SPRAaUE.
TO Messrs: Hazard R. Thompson and Charles II.
FGyEhurst