The true northerner., 1879-08-15
The Sprague.Conkling Scandal.

The Sprague. COnkling Scandal.
special dispatch to the New York World
from Narragansett Pier gives the following
particulars of the Sprague-C -Conkling unpleas-
antness: The affair occurred on Friday even
ing Either on Wednesday night or Thursday
morning Senator Conkling arrived at Narragan-
sett Pier. With him, or after him, came
trunk and large valise. These articles Of
baggage were taken to the Sprague mansion by
the direction of Senator Conkling. He re-
NAMED there as visitor tho next day,
and was ON hotel piazza the next
evening conversing with some ladies. Dur
ing Friday afternoon Gov. Sprague was
observed driving about Narragansett Pier,
having been at home entertaining his guests
the night previous, though he had been absent
for day or two before. He had gun with
him, which II Is believed that he loaded earlier
in the day Finally he drove to the rear of the
house, which is about mile and a half from
the pier, and came through the house in a
somewhat excited condition. He got out to the
piazza, where he found Senator Conkling con-
yersng with Mrs. Spragua, who was at win
dow. Gov. Sprague then said. addressing
Senator Conkiing: "Are you armed, SIR"
Conkiing replied: mo, l am not. "Then,"
said ex-Gov Sprague, Il give you five minutes
to get of these premises. If you are not then
away will fire at YOU"
Ex-Gov. Sprague is said then to have made
use OF some further exasperaing language.
Senator Conklng, seeming much surprised,
but remembering that he was under ex Gov.
Sprague's roof, rose and took few steps away,
while Mrs. SpraGue came out of the house and
stood between them. Ex Gov Sprague stood
looking at Senator Conkling while a carriage
drove mp which had been ordered TO take Mrs.
Sprague for drive When Mrs. Sprague
found hat raptl
determined on an unpleasant scene, she called
for her hat and shawl, which Mrs. Martin,
friend and guest in the house, brought her.
After ex-Gov Sprague had repeated his per-
emptory order to Mr.. Conkling to quit his
house, there was some heaitancy on the part of
the New York Senator as to what should be
done, but he finally took his hat and, entering
the carriage, went down TO the pier, stopping
on the way at Billington's restaurant. Scarcely
had he arrived there and got out of the convey
ance than ex-Gov. Sprague, who had followed,
came up, and therefore, it is certain that the lat
ter must have kept his horse hitched MP
ready for use to follow Senator Conkling
On the arrival Of ex-Gov. Sprague at Billing
tons another exchange of words took place, but
there is not the slightest testimony to show that
at any time hand hand encounter, such as
has been spoken of freely here to-day, iook
place. But it is certain that there was Nh ex-
cited and threatening encoun er between the
two in one of the most public spots in the whole
place, and thus 1t came to pass that the most
exaggerated rumors were set in motion Sifted
down, the foregoing are the principal facts in
the case so far as MIR. Conkling and Mr.. Sprague
are concerned.
A correspondent OF the New York Times
gives the following version of the affair: On
his arrival at the house, Mr.. Sprague imme-
diately sought Senator Conkling, and conver-
sation with him followed. part of which was
overheard One of the servants declares that
in the hall MIR. Sprague loudly ordered Nh.
Conkling to leave the louse, saying he would
give him twenty minutes to get out OF sight,
and If he did not go would shoot him. Senator
Conkling walked out of the entrance and
down the roadway toward the pier. He
walked slowly, carrying his umbrella and pick
ing his steps carefully through he deep sand.
de probably walked over this sandy and sun
beaten track as far as the bathing houses, and
then through the poorest bit of street in Nara
gansett Pier toward Bllington's cafe When
he reached BilliDgton's, Senator Conkling, ac-
cordiug to the story OF bright boy who waited
OH him. went inside the door and STOOD there for
afew moments. While hestood there Mr. Sprague
had jumped into an OH wagon, and was driving
furiously down the road over which Senator
Conkling had just passed. tradesman who
saw him as he turned into the street leading to
Billiug.o said he looked very excited,
and was driving frriously and carelessly. He
drew up directly in front of the cafe, and Sena-
tor Conkling at that time stood on the covered
stoop In front of it, AS he reined up he shock
mis- haLd in threatening manner at Senator
Conkling, aud talked aud testculdted excltedly.
Then Mr.. Conkling crossed part way over to
the opposite corner, as if 10 go away. Mr..
Sprague quickly followed, wheeling his horse
suddenly and jumping out by Mr.. Conklings
side so impetuously that he carried the scat of
the wagon out with him. Sprague was heard
to say, in loud and excited voice:
"You - =, / want you to get out
of this place. II you don't go I'll shoot you!
Don't cross my path again. Or, If y u do,
want you to be armed, for I'll shoot you as
sure as 1 meet you" To this Mr.. Conkling
made some reply, and then Mr.. Sprague was
heard to respond: No, I'll accept no apol-
ogies. want you to get out of this place in
stautly." Mr.. Sprague then drove awav, and
Mr.. Conkling started of towards the abroad
depot.
The Washington correspondent of the Chi
cago Tribune says the news In regard t. the
Conkling affair created no surprise whatever in
Washington. The opy wouder here for
mouths has been that the matter has not cul-
minaued at an earlier day. Senator Conk ing's
marked attentions towards the family of Sena-
tor Sprague have been the subject of general
gossip in Washington for long time The
local press and correspondents have given nc
circulation to the scandal out Of regard to tho
lady in the case. and it is very likely that
nothing in regard to the matter would ever
have reached the public had not Senator
Sprsgue concluded to take the matter in hand
himself. That he would do this has been .x-
pected on each occasion OF his latter visits TO
Was\ ington. The matter first became n sub
ject or quite general conversation i'm Wa-hi G.
ton about the time that senator Conklng car
iicd through the Senate and through the House
n bill for refunding c,rtain large amounts OF
tax, claimed to be exorbitint levied upon the
estate near this city now occupied bv Mrs.
Spr4gue Her numerous visits To the Capitol
and constant associat OH when there with Ssna-
tor Conkllng intensified this talk, and for
couple of months before the adjournment of
the last session the astonisbment was general
am ng the friends Of both parties that they
should either be so reckless in regard to afford
& foundation for gene, nj talk, or 30 obllvious
10 the vast amount Of gossip To which their in
innate association was giving rise"