The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1879-08-14

did not exceed $50 600. At the time Of his
death his sole property was E3gewood
and the value OF this ~ss greatly dimin-
ished by the rhrinksse in resl estate con.
sequeot upon the panic Of 1873. In addi-
ton to this, tie vast Improvements msde
by the board of public works, as engineered
By the Washington rirg, en,ailed such
enormous assessments upon this property
that il would have scarcely sold for the
tax liens sgainst il. When ex-senator
William Srrseue, Of Rhode Island, married
Mrs Kate Chase
THE sPRAGUEs, OF RHODE BLAND,
we're millionaires and the senator not only
controlled The politics Of the State, but be
and his family, FROM this princely income,
were among the most liberal contributors
TO the Republican national campaign fund.
Miss Kate Chase was in face and form one
of the loveliest women that ever graced
Washington society. Her Wit snd vivacity
Of conversation equslei her wonderful phys-
sicsl perfection and combined 10 make her
the most fascinating creature OF modern
timee. She WIS shrewd, keen woman Of
the world, and
HER AMBITION
for social AID political distinction was the
canker that e,ernally gnawed at her heart.
The psrdonable desire to see her father
president Of the United States was far ex-
ceedsd by her ambition to preside in the
white house and reign "a the fret lady in
cur republican court. Her understanding
was naturally broad, and from childhood
she had ben the pet and companion of her
father, ard thus affairs Of state claimed
more Of her attention than the fopparies
and frivolities OF societies. lrdeed, these
latter became Interesting to her merely
"A thev proved ID be aids to hasten the ac-
enlistment OF the
RULING PASSION OF HER LIFE.
In the intrigues which were rife here in
1868 and 1864, and had for their object the
substitution of Chase for Lincoln rs tn
leader of the Republican party in thai
presidential campaign, Miss Chase w's no
Insignificant actor. Later, in 1865, Wit
the then chief Justice had grown conseIva-
tive and lonsed TO be the standard BEARER OF
the Democracy, Mrs. Kate Sprseue, the
wife of the senatorial mil.ionaire OF Rhode
Island, was still more Important. factor IN
national politics. The msrrizgs 10 sprague
was
NOT LOVE AFFAIR
at least 50 said the gossips Of ;ne national
capital Whether 1t wss or wss not, 1t n
not proved a happy one. At the death oI
the chief Justice, in 1871, Senator sprague,
it is understood, paid Miss Nettie Chase
the second daughter, her portion OF the
Eigewood estate. Miss Nettie was not III.
counterpart OF her fascinating sister. She
was plain, unsssuIning and domestic in he'
inclina,ions, but was gifted with considers
bic talent, and her illustrations OF "Mothel
| Goose's Melodies" attracted attention.
sPRAGUE's RUIN.
A few years before the panic of Isl;
shriyeled up the fortune OF the Spragues
| and the senator became bankrupt. Edge
wood and a city residence, however, re
| manned in the name Of his wife, and wer
saved from the general wreck. His term a
| senator did not expire till the 4th OF March
| 1873, and till that date, Of course, he con
tinued TO spend his winters here and KEEP
up an establishment. Since that timt
however, be has rarely visited Washington
but Mr-. Sprague has always made Edge
| wood her home. As above stated, tn
special improvement and other taxes grow
| ing out Of the ring improvements amounte
to more than Lakewood would have brough
at forced sale. Mrs. Sprague wanted
RELIEF FROM CONGRESS
in the share of an act relieving her propert
| from these taxes, She sought Senate
| Conklipg and enlisted his services SO
legislator. az well as his il fueIce in he
behalf. The first service was to appear a
her attorney in the courts of the District L
| enioin the sale of Edgewood for taxes, bu
| about this he is not certain. lie, however
procured bill to be introduced during tn
Forty-Din Congress, to
EXEMPT THIS PROPERTY,
not only from back taxes, but from all IL
ture taxation. He labored z.siously I
have this bill reported favorably from tn
house committee on the District Of Colun
bia and succeeded. 1t. however, failed
pass. The attempt was renewed at the tort,
fifth congress, and was partially successful
The following provision WAS incorporate
in the surdry civil bill, and was
A SENATE AMENDMENT:
That from and after the passage of th
act a certain piece of property situate
about two and one-half miles Forth OF Il
capitol, being the property known as Edg
wood, Of the estate of the late chief justin
Of the United States Salmon Z. Chase. 81
all the buildings, grounds, and property .
purtenant thereto and used in connec;is
. herewith, in the District OF Columbia, sha
be exempt from any and all taxes and
. sassme nts, national, municipal or count,
Hrorided, That such exception shalt coniin
only until the 30th day Il June, 1850, al
all taxes, together with the interest and pc
? allies now due and unpaid uron said pro
: erty, shall be and they hereby sre REMIT,