The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-08-28

SPRAGUE AND GONKLING.
Mrs. Sprague's Statemcnt-The Story
Of Professor Linek.
MRS. spRAaUE's VERSION.
Providence, r. l., August IA.
Following is the statement of Mrs.
sSena*or Spragae in relation to the un-
fortunate difficulty at Narragansett
Pier, which she has given permission
to be published: w..
"As you must have surmised, Gov. Sprague's
dissolute life and dissipated habits long ago
interrupted our marital relations, though l
have striyen hard through untold humiliation
children's sakes, the true condition Of a
blighted. miserable domestic life. About a
year ago even this poor semblance> abruptly
eliminated after adisgraceful orgie and arrest
at Nantasket Beach, with the circumstances
of which many people in Rhode Island are
girls the neighborhood of old friends and the
shelter OF my honored fathers former home.
There, dwelling almost within the shadow of
his tomb. l felt more secure, less unprotected.
Here kindly sympathy sought me out, and
though covert malice pointed some censorious
comments. relief came, and our circumscribed
means were adequate to our simple and quiet
mode of life.
"Governor Sprague's irregularities having
been visited upon him by the trustee ad-
ministering his embarrassed estate, the con-
tribution toward the maintenance of myself
and children, without word of explanation
to me, was suddenly cut down to q palpably
inadequate sum. Even this was RENTED but
for few months; then, owing to a complete
rupture between Governor Spraeue and the
trustee, all remittances ceased, and for six
months past no money has been contributed
toward the maintenance of his family or
household by Governor Sprague. In addi-
ton to greater wrongs, unpaid tradespeople
to whom he was indebted, have been urgent
in their demands for payment, but he gave
when pressed by me to find way to meet
these just demands and relieve me of inn
pOrtunities, that must look to my powerful
Washington friends for aid; and, to my deep
distress. and modification. permitted. after
long delay, q bill for carriage hire for his
mothers use during visit to me in Wash
ington to be paid by the gentleman who had
recommended to as the stable from which the
carriage was hired.
This and other more unmanly exhibitions
have been incidental to the past year, while
tie brutality of recent events, repetitiOns of
similar scenes of violence and outrage enact
ed in former years, has finally driven us from
the door, and filed the public prints of the
country with scandal too cruel to be endured
without redress.
.tGovernor Sprague's causeless and shame
full persecution of the children's teacher is
literally true as he tells the story-the real
anirnns being, as confessed, Governor
Sprague's unwillingness to be subjected to
the restraint at the table and in the house.
hold observances of the constant presence
of gentleman.
1.-THE attempt to complicate Mr. Conkling
with the matter is absurd. The two men
never met; believe have never seen each
other. Governor Sprague's indecent affrOnt
to the guests in his house was most gross and
without excuse. Mr.. Martin, whom / had
met in q very precarious condition of health,
en- route for Narragansett Pier. / induced to
go to CanOnchet for quiet and. good nursing.
He was removed under Governor Sprague's
threats of murder, thing to be done at the
imminent risk of his life.
"Mr. Conkling was, of course, as uncon-
scious as l that Governor Sprague sought &C.
casiOn to enact the tragic role of the injured
husband, for at their last meeting, not long
since, Governor Sprague had sought from Mr..
Conklng not only legal counsel, but accepted
at his hand favor such as only the friendlest
confidence could warrant.
Z" In his determination to overthrow Mr..
Chatfee as trustee, and hoping to join forces
with the creditor interest to drive him from
his post, Governor Sprague had carried away
from the counting-roOm of A. u w. Sprague
books of the Quidnic Company, refusing to
return them. MIR. Chaffee, in turn, refused
until these books were returned to permit
Governor Sprague to hold any business rela-
tiOns with the concern, and, of course, re-
fused to permit him to draw any money.
This was the situation of affairs which,
by coming to Rhode Island, l had hoped
through some influence or other brought to
bear on Governor Sprague to help to set
right, and to secure by some means q MAIN
tenance for the four children for whose wants
aud education have been and am now bear
ing the undivided burden. conference
with counsel employed by the firm achieved
no results.
professor Linck, under contract with
me for three months, was neither permitted
to perform his duties nor paid and dismissed.
We had no OsteDsible means for living at
CanOnchet without mourning additional in
debtedness, to which refused to be party.
In this awkward and painful dilemma re-
auested Mr.. COnkling, who had been already
consulted by Mr.. Sprague, aud upon whose
judgment and advice have safely relied in
my own matters, to see Governor Spraguc and
try to ascertain what point there is in the pro-
posed programme of opposition, and what re.
suits were likely to follow that would benefit
or provide for the children. Mr.. Conkling
stopped at Canonchet for this purpose, and
was 0waiting Governor Sprague's return to
seek an interview with him when the now no
tOrious outbreak occurred.
eff any hostile words were exchanged be-
tween Mr.. Conkling and Governor Sprague at
Canonchet, they alone know what they were.
for no one else heard them. What transpired
in the village do not know, beyond what is
reported in the sensational accounts given In
the newspa pers.n es~ 80 as.
PROFESSOR LMCK's STORY.