The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-08-28
sPRAsUE-CONKLING.
True Account of the Narragnnsett Pier
Dt6caity-The Ex-G0vernOr's Hot Pur-
snit OF the ~ natOr.

: DtMcukty-Th- Ex-Governor's Hot Pur-
1 ssait Of the >. nater.
The New York Times special from
Narragansett Pier tells the Sprague-
Conkllng story thus: The difficulty of |
getting strictly correct and full ac-
count of the matter is great, for none of |
the persons interested will talk except
the man (Linck) who has figured in the
newspapers much more conspicuously
shan he appears to have been concerned
in the apparently serious quarrel be-
tween ex-senator Sprague and Senator
COnkling. There were number of
visitors at Canouchet, the home of the
ex-senator, but they all hurried away
soon after the events Of Friday. The
servants have been for many years in
in the service Of the Sprague family,
and are very prudent, and nearly every
body who could tell anything seems
anxious to allow the matter to drop as
quietly as possible.
From number of sources the follow
ing story has been obtained: Mrs.
Sprague was, ON Monday last, at Canou-
| chet with three children and four visit
ors, namely: Mr.. and Mrs. Martin, Miss
Martin and Miss Alexander. The house
was not open for summer visitors, but
| these friends were there, and it is said
| they were to remain for few days
| According to the statement made by
Morris, overseer of the place, Senator
Conkling arrived at the house Tuesday
evening last, where he was welcomed as
he drove up under the porte cochere
Mr.. Sprague was in Portland, whittier
he had gone the first of the week. The
servants did not expect him to return
until Saturday. Senator Conkling, it is
said, remained at the house Wednesday
and Thursday. Late Thursday night
| Mr.. Sprague returned. He did not
hear of the arrival of Senator Conkling
until he had visited the Pier Friday
morning, for he expressed much aston
ment when told the fact by tradesman
with whom he conversed. He was seen
returning to Canouchet, and when next
observed, was riding into the place liz
pursuit of Prof. George Linck, Ger
man tutor, who bad been engaged by
Mrs. Sprague to instruct her son Willie.
Having driven in very excited man.
ner in search of the man, he went back
to Canouchet. What followed is gath
cred only from the statements of per-
sons about the house, made with injunc-
tiOns as to. secrecy. On his arrival at
the house, Mr.. Sprague Immediately
sought out Senator Conkling, and a
conversation with him followed, part of
which was overheard. One of the SER
wants declares that in the hall Mr..
Sprague loudly ordered Mr.. Conkling to
leave his house, saying he would give
him twenty minutes to get out of
sight, and if he didn't go he would
shoot him. There were other loud re-
marks. Morris, the overseer, stood at
the side of the door soon after, and saw
Senator Coukling walk out of the en-
trance, and down the roadway toward
the Pier. This road can be seen from
the house for nearly half the distance
to the town, and Senator Conkling
walked slowly, carrying his umbrella,
aud picking his steps carefully through
the deep sand. He probably walked
over this sand and sunbeaten track as
far as the bathing houses, and then
through the poorest bit of street in Mar
raganset Pier toward Bi1lington's cafe.
This cafe is at the foot Of street in the
center of the town. It is plain little
building, standing just over rocks upon
which the surf breaks. To this restaur-
ant come all the people in Narragansett
who want to eat CLANS, and it is q con.
spicuous, familiar place, as it stands in
a turn in the road running by all the
. principal hotels. When he reached
Billington's, Senator Conkling, accord
ing to the story of bright boy who
r waited on him, went inside the door and
d stood there Tor few moments While
he stood there Mr.. Sprague had jumped
t into an old wagon and was drivinS
!. furiousiy down the road over which
. Senator Cenkling had just passed. A
S tradesman who saw him as he turned
: the street leading to- BilliDgton's sait
It he looked very excited, and was drivins
o furiously aud carelessly. He drew III
n directly in front of the cafe, and Sena
. tor Conkling at that time stood on tn,
covered stoop in front of It. as b,
q rei-ed up, according to one account b
: shook his hand in a threatening man
. ner at Senator Conkling, and talked an,
. gesticulated excitedly. Then Mf. Conf
q ling crossed part way over to the OF
- posite corner, as if to go away. MI
- Sprague quickly followed, wheeling hi
- horse suddenly and jumping ont by Nj
" Conkllng's side SO impetuously that b
is carried the seat of the wagon out wit
"a him. A. II. Wood. superintendent o
the cafe, was doing in an upper room q
% the building at the time Sprague drov
IN up. He was aroused by the sound 9
IN voices, and getting up, looked out an
to listened. As he put his head out q
IN the window he heard Spragne say:
m You 1 want you t
y get out of this place. If you don't go r.
ne shoot you. Don't cross my path agail
~ Or, If you do, want you to be armee
I'D for I'll sbOotyou as sure as l meet you.
70 To this Mr.. Conkling made some repl,
sd and then Mr.. Sprague was heard to r,
at spond: No; I'll accept no apologies
a. want you to get out of this place il
r stantly." Mr., Sprague then droy
DIS away. and Mr.. Conkling. who had starte
IN off toward the railroad depot, returne
It. to Billington's and sat down inside tn
ot door. The conversation alluded to wa
Id heard indistinctly by several person,
lis and each of the relators gives slight
W. different version of the encounter, a
Sc though all agree Mr.. Sprague was yer
De much excited. The boy Of the cal
mt says Mr.. ConkliDg was not. excites
IT, and that heordered and ate q lunch I
? milk and crackers. After while
at team, said to have come from GovernC
SO Spragne's, drove up, and lady
medium height, rather stout and yer
we'll dressed, conversed with Mr.. Conl
ling as he stood ON the porch. The ca
riage came back a second time to Civ
OF the occupant an opportunity to talk wit
sct Mr.. Conkling. The conversation b,
Co. tween Messrs Sprague and Conkling o
We Cured between 3 and 4 o'clock. Senate
X Conkling left Billington's about B, IN
ty went to the railroad depot. When 1
ro, arrived Tuesday he brought q trunk an