The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-08-14
SPRAGUE'S SUSPICIOUS.
SHOTGUN POLICY IN RHODE Is-
LAND.
An Ex,Unlted States Senator Creates First
Class Sensation, and With His Gun Causes
His Guests to HaOilIy Vacate the Prem
Oh ises = Senator COukling Bids His
Host "GOOd Morning" and
-r. Stands Not Upon the
Order Of Going.

Providence, r. l., August 9.-The city has beer
| full ofTumOr9 to.night concerning an unpleasant
affair at the residence OF Senator SpTague at Mar
1 Eagansett Pier. On Friday afternoon rumors Of 9
serious shooting were current, involving Senator
| Donkling. Your orrespondent visited the Mar
ragansett tier. and after investigating the affair
Is able to state there was no shooting II appears
that Mrs. VIM. Sprague and children arrived in
Rhode Island from Washington two weeks ago
and alter short stay at Watch HILL went to hel
husbands residence at Narrsgansett Pier.
Some months ago she engaged German teach
er for her children named George Linck Of New
York, and he was unoccupied while the family
were In Washington and she requested him Il
| come TO Narragansett Pier TO meet her husband
To arrange his compensation Linok came bu
for several days did not zee Sprague. At last be
met him at Watch Hill about week ago, and fol
some unknown reason Sprague took violent
dislike TO him. and forbid him to come to hil
h0nse at the pier.
| LinCk, however went to Sprague's house Fri
! day and the result was that very disgfaceiu
| encounter ensued. After Linck had been in the
house awhile Sprague arrived, and, when he saw
the German, became iunously mad, and In spite
Of the fact that tie house had several guests la
dies and gentlemen from Albany and elsewhere
he ordered the man TO leave, and seizing
double barreled shot gun, threatened to kill him
ifhe didn'tgo, sprague had previously informed
some OF his guests that they also had better CO. al
| 1t was probable there would be murder in the
house. The ladies screamed, and there was q
great deal Of excitement at the strange action o.
| the Ex-senator.
The hOuEekeeper endeavored TO quiet the infu
rated man. but 1t was necessary for Linck to de
| part before the fear Of bloodshed was allayed.-
The German left the house and went into thu
village, whittier after q time Sprague followed
but he did not chance to encounter him again.
Senator CODkling was at Sprague's house dur.
| ing the alteration, but saw nothing Of 1t as he
| was In the library at the time, some distance
| from the scene.
Itappears that sprague had consulted Senator
Sopknng IN washington some months ago upon
| business connected with the settlement Of the
| 9pTaPue estate, aud as the business was unfnish
| cd, and as 1t had been intimated 10 Senator
| OODkllng that Spragbe wished TO see him again
about IT, the Senator went over to the Pines from
Newport IN q yacht with party Of friends
| Thursday Afternoon, He called at SprAgue'I
house Friday and was awaiting his arrival tC
consult him In reference 10 the business,
During the altercgti0n, hearing the ladies
| scream, Conkling Immediately sought them out
| and found they were desiI0us to leave the house
There was an invalid gentleman In the party
and Conkling took him In bis arms and removed
him TO carriage, and afterwsrd saw that all
/ present were conveyed from the residence. III
then walked TO the village Of Narragansett Pier
| half mile from the house. He passed up tht
main road and met Ex Senator sprague drivinI
| to the pier. He stopped and asked SorRgue whG
| all the trouble was about, saying he could no
Understand why he should act 80 like q wilC
man. Spragne said that be knew his own bust
nese, refusing to give any explanation of his &C
| Senator Conkling went 10 the house Of a friend
and shortly after took the evening train fOI
Providence. He was the guest OF Senator Antho
| ~ Friday, and last evening took the steamer fol
| New York. ,u. :
The above is based on statements Of friends o.
both Oonkling and sprague, who seemed dispos
cd 20 cover up the affair There are many how.
ever, who believe ell has not yet been told, and
that Sprague and Conkling are not on the best Of
terms, owing TO skeleton that is said to have
existed for some time In the closet Of the house Of
| the former.