Daily Republican., 1879-08-19
CYssrERpAY's HBws.l
THE CAHOCMET AFFAIR.

THE CAHOCHET AFfAIR.
SENATOR COnkltng More sinneo
Against than SinniDg-The In
iured wife speaks In her eWn
Defeuee-The Cause Of the Trou'
bile.
In an interview with correspondent
Of the New York "Times,' MRS.
Spragus thus gives an account OF the
trouble between herself and her hus-
band:
"A year ago last July Mr.. sprague
sent on to me in Washington lot ei
Young colts and young horses and NJ
lies, which he had picked out for his
own use at the winding up Of his estate.
He wished me to use those l wanted for
riding and driving, and have the rest
pastured somewhere near the city. he
came ON himself and was looking about
Cor q nice place to pasture them when
Mr., Conkling told him OF some farmer
in the nsighborhoOd who was taking
care of his (Mr. Conkling) horse.
Mr.. Spragus accepted the suggestion
with pleasure, and Mr.. Conkling intro
duced him TO the farmer. When DC
tober came the man sent me his bill,
which forwarded to Mr.. Sprague lin
Rhode Island. The bill was sent again
and again and always returned unpaid
until / began TO feel soandalizsd. Then
the man applied to Senator Conkling
and even threatened to sue him, nav
ing by his intro luction Of my husband
become surety for its payment.
Mr.. Conkling was finally induced 10
write to Mr.. sprague, telling him the
position in which he vas placed and on
subsequent visit to washington
again called on Mr.. Sprsgue and asked
him to settle it. He told my husband
that he could not be expected to pay
|, any lady's bills, least Of all married
, lady's, and that it would be an insul,
, to me to propose it, but that he (Mr'
Conkling) would gladly give my hus'
, band the money to pay it out OF his
q own pocket and let him repay 1t when
ever he would.
When | heard of this was naturally
| indignant and chided my husband fol
/ allowing the Senator to make such ar
!. offer, and said that ! would sell any
4 thing had to raise the money rathel
!. than accept such assistance and ye
q this petty, contemplate squabbls wa
q the commencement of all my husband 7
n jealousy against Mr.. Conkling.
a Even after that he consented to re-
y ceive him and voluntarily went on t
a Washington in April last to get tn
k Senator's legal opinion in regard to tn
u troubles between himself and his cred
3. tiers. There was perfect and entir
cordiality between them then, althoug
these scandals, it is now charged, liza
been known in Washington for years.
As to Mr.. Conkling's presence .
Cannochet, Mrs. Sprague stated was
use his influence with Mr.. Sprague i
. directing the management of the eI
tate.
~ had written to Mr.. Conkling
said Mrs. Spragus, "asking him to us
his influence to this end, and he n
piled that he would be Of little service
9 but he was willing to try if | wished
| wrote to him that did, and, as Nj
g. Sprague himself had admitted it Wa
for the best interests of the estate,
considered that there would he ne in
ropriety in his visiting US here 70
that purpose.
as Mr.. Throop Martin, of Auburn, a
old friend Of Mr.. Conkling, and an il
valid of over 70, was staying with I
. together with his wife and daughter.
could see no possible harm in the pre-
ence of these guests, as my husbar
was constantly going and coming at ii
: tervals of few days, and no effort wi
made to conceal the fact Of the Senator
'ry visit from him.
met the Senator when he lande
ea from the boat at Narragansett, and to-
la him that his old friend, Mr.. Martin, wi
"' stopping with US, and that we shou
be pleased to have him stop over
Canonchet, especially as the Govern
was expected home in day or tw
He came aud occupied room on Il
= third floor on Wednesday and Thur
A day nights, preceding the trouble. {
\. Friday morning when | came down
:. breakfast, was told to my surpris
that Mr.. Sprague had come home su
!. denly at three o'clock in the mOrnil
= and had left again.
paid no attention to this, howevt
as his movements are always very {
ON ratio. He comes in on you like ght
OF in the middle Of the night and at t
in in most unreasonable hours and hurri
ak, away in the same disquieting mann'
lth; | had learned to be used to thes- ireal
the but Mr.. Conkling, when told OF the &c
With ernor's visit, seemed surprised at su
60 OF conduct. thought no more of it a
ing busted myself about my household
the fairs, while Senator Conkling took
u ant seat on the lounge in the room and "
looking over The newspaper. AT
giving my orders turned tc Mr.. Nj
=. 80 tin who was sitting in the room, and
The his request sat down to read little
has lin.
"l.n 'ms inst then Mr.. Sprague came up
,om staircase. He walked slowly into
ling room, Mr.. Conkling rising to meet hi
eua' ens' Some words passed between the
che, which did not hear, but the tone
hin, which arrested my attention. | r
, in to my feet. Mr.. Conkling wall
ixth straight across the room to wher
rner stood, and said:
tast ,egt "Mrs. Sprague, your husband
Full very much excited, and | think it /
tlith ter for all of us If should withdra
'fAe' II my departure puts you in any d
. ger, say so, and l will stay, whate
~, the consequence"