The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-10-09
Mrs. Kate Sprague.

some particulars of their first meeting.
1t is we'll to be known since the recent
publications of their calamities.
"Kate Chase" said this gentleman,
"was always willful, pleasing, coquet-
fish girl. Her father idolized her, and
probably from mis- excessive admiration
arose her propensity to look for admira-
ton, to expect it, and to labor for it
among other men of equal note.
"She first met Gov. Sprague at the
Kennard House, Cleveland, Ohio. Kate
had been stopping several weeks with
Hon. Il. c. Parsons, who was a favorite
of her father, and about that time
Member of the Legislature, afterward
Speaker of the Assembly.
FIRST SEES spRAGUE.
Columbus was little dull for Kate,
and she often went up to Cleveland and
spent as much time as she pleased there.
She was young, brilliant and engaging.
At the dedication Of the Commodore
Perry statue, Rhode Island sent on quite
a delegation to Cleveland. Cleveland
had grown to be so large town that it
had assumed domination as the repre-
sentative in late years of all Lake Erie,
where Perry won his victory over the
British. As Perry came from Rhode
Island, it was natural that the young
Governor of that State, his staff and
some Of the military, should come on
and help dedicate the monument. Il
think" said this gentleman, " ti.at there
were nearly 800 Rhode Islanders there.
A ball was given to them at the Ken
nard House. and Kate Chase went there
with the Parsons family. At that time
Sprague was quite an interesting looking
man. He was esteemed to be very rich
il was known that he had thorough
knowledge of the details of the cotton
business. and as he stood at the hotel
backed by his staff, all in uniform, he
was certainly an enticing person. He
seemed to be at once struck with Miss
Chase appearance. They were together
a good part of the evening. Kate had
everything in the world but money. Her
father never was possessed of much.
There was Sprague, with downy mus
tache, a Juvenile exterior and modest
countenance, and the union Of the boy
and the ruler, which naturally struck an
apprehenslve woman ike that at the age
Of eighteen.
when they went home in the car
rage that night, Miss Chase remarked ::
what charming man Gov. Sprague isl
Sprague expressed the same opinion to
Cleveland people of Miss Chase. There
was little talk for a while about the
probability OF courtship, but it passed
away.
However, Gov. Chase was appointed
10 the Cabinet, and went to live in
Washington. His daughter was his
housekeeper, and almost his political
manager. Chase was very childlike,
almost verdant man. He had little or
no suspicion of anybody. Sprague came
on to Washington with his soldiery, and
sought out Miss Chase again, and during
the war they were married. Sprague
bought the house at Sixth and f streets,
saying he would never live under anoth-
e-s roof"
did she ever love him ?"
''No doubt Of that. At first she was
dazzled with his worldly strength, his
wealth, and also with his executive abil-
ity. He had certain bull headed ma
ture when he brought his mind to bear
on proposition, and insisted on carry
ing il through at whatever cost"
sPRAGUEY.
"Was there anything whatever engag
ing about the man apart from his
wealth and the number Of his employees"
eyes. When Sprague let's liquor
alone he can be very agreeable man.
He is not without kindness of heart
But a single glass, even little glass of
sherry wine, will convert him into an
overbearing rascal. l have no doubt
myself but that this sudden scandal
arose from his having drink too
much"
"Was his wife cold woman I"
yes. An iceberg would be warm to
her. For man, as the animal, she has
no interest. That gives a certain justl-
fcation to Sprague among worldly men
for his behavior. | have no idea that
she cared one fig for Roscoe Conkling
She was passionately fond however, of
being admired, and at her time of life,
about forty, the devotion of such man
must have been very delightful"
"But can you excuse the behavior Of
such woman in spending the whole