The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-08-27
Although he had been long in pub

Court, and always extremely eco
nomical, the savings of his long life
did not exceed 100000. At the time
of his death his sole property was
Edgewood, and the value of this was
greatly diminished BY the shrinkage
in real estate consequent upon the.
panic Of 1873. In addition to this,
the vast improvements made by the
Board of Public Works, as engineer
ed by the Washington ring, entailed
such enormous assessments upon his
property that 1t would have scarcely
sold for the tax liens against it.
When ex-senator William Sprague,
of Rhode Island, married Miss Kate
Chase the spragues of Rhode Island
were millionaires and the Senator
not only controlled the politics of the
State, but he and his family, from
this princely income, were among tie
most liberal contributors to the Re.
publican National campaign, fund.
Miss Kate Chase was in face and
form one of the loveliest women that
ever graced Washington society,"
Her wit and vivacity Of conversation
eapaled her wonderful physical per-
lection and combined to make her
one of the most fascinating creatures
of modern times. She was shrewd,
keen woman of the world and her
ambition for social and political dis
tinction was the canker that eternal
lily gnawed at her heart. The par
donable desire to- see her father Pres.
ident of the United States was far
exceeded by her ambition to preside
in the V hite House and reign as the
first lady in our republican court
Her. understanding was naturally
broad, and from childhood she had
been the pet and companion of her
father, and thus affairs of state claim
ed more of her attention than the
foppcrics and friyolities Of society.
| Indeed, these latter became interest
ing to her merely as they proved to
be aids to hasten the accomplish
nent of the ruling passion fherlife
:. In the iutrigues whicl, were rif.
here in 1863 and 1864, and had fol
their object the substitution of CHASE
for Lincoln as the leader of the Re
publican party in that Presidential
campaign, Miss Chase was no insig
nificant actor. Later, in 1868, wher
the then Chief Justice had g,owt
conservative, and longed to be til,
standard bearer Of the Democracy
Mrs. Kate Sprague, the wife of thu
senatorial millionaire Of Rhode Is
land. was still more important fac
tor in national politics. The mar
riage to Sprague was not love al
fair--at least so said the gossips o
the national capitol. Whether i
was or was not it has not proved
= happy one. ijs'&l atgf 81
The attentions which Senator Con
, king paid Mrs. Sprague during tn
first year. of their intimacy were no
, very marked. aa 81 10 4
The scandal did not become tn
topic of social gossip till about, tw'
years ago. Then they began to ap
!, pear frequently in each others com
pany at social dinners, public recer
r tions, private parties, and publ
amusements. Senator Conkling'
family has not resided in Washing
!, ton for five or six years. The il
health of Mrs. Conkling and the dis
taste of Miss Conkling, the Senator
/. only clild, for Washington societ
was tile excuse given the public TO
), their absence. 1t was, however, n
secret to the initiated that a liaiso
, of the Senator with the wife of
Federal official we'll known in Ne,
York. was the real reason for. tn
abandonment by Mrs. and Miss Conk
: ling of the society of the nations
capital. The. relations of Conklin
> to this woman did not cease till som
:, time later in the year 1875 or earl
: in 1876. Coiucident Herewith, tn
scandal of his devotions to Mr.
= Sprague began to- grow apace. Fc
year they attracted but little after
ton outside of official society,"
. Within this circle, however, the
% were the subject of more or less con
- ment. The house Of a Souther
4 Senator who knew Mrs. Sprague j
V her girlhood days in Ohio, was for
4. long time the trysting place. Upo
one occasion the; Senator gave dill
J. ner party, to which, among other
Il C.ull:a- ,,d Nve Cororno woro