Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-08-14
THE SPRAGUE SENSATION.
The New York 'Worid'ss Account of .be In
cidents at Narraganseu Pier


cidents at Narraganseu Pier
NEW YORK, Aug. IL The World
has the following account of the
difficulty at Management Pier:
Senator ConkIing reached ex-
Governor Sprague's house as vls-
itor on Wednesday evening. He
remained there as visitor next
day, and was on the hotel piazza
during next evening. conversiug
with some ladies. During Friday
afternoon Governor Sprague was
observed driving aoout Narragan-
sett Pier, having been at home en-
PERTAINING his guests the night pre-
vious. He had gun with him.
which it is believed that he loaded
earlier in The day. Finally be drove
to the rear Of his house, which is
about q mile and hall from the
pier, and came through the house
ia a somewhat excited condition.
He got out to the piazza whore he
found Senator Conkling conversing
with Mrs. Sprague, who was at the
window. Governor Sprague then
said, addressing Senator Conkling,
care you armed, sir ?" and Conk-
ling replied, mo, | am no.. ""Then,"
said ex Governor Spragne, II give
you five minutes TO quit these prem
ises. Ifyou are not away l will
FIRE at you" Elk Governor Sprague
is said then to have made use of
some further exasperating language,
Senator ConkIing, seeming much
surprised, but remeh bering that he
was under ex Governor Sprague's
roof, rose and walked few steps
away, while Mrs. Sprague came out
of the house and stood between
them.
Ex-Governor Sprague stood look
ing at Senator Conkling, while q
carriage drove mp which had been
ordered to take Mrs. Sprague for a
drive. When Mrs. Sprague found
that Ex-Governor Sprsgue was ap,
parently determined on an unpIeas.
ant scene, she called Cor her hat and
shawl, which Mrs. Martio, q friend
and guest in the house, brought
her. In the house at tho time, as
guests. were Mr.. and Mrs. Martin
and Miss Martin, and Mrs. Alexan-
der. as we'll as Senator Conkling.
After Mr.. Sprague repeated his
order to Conkling to quit his house,
there was some hesltaucy on the
part of the New York Sen ator as to
what should be done, but seeing no
hope of rational solution, he f.
nally took his hat. and, entering
the carriage, went down to the pier,
stopping on. the way at Biliington's
restaurant. Scarcely had he arrived
there and got out of the convey
ance than Governor Sprague, who
had followed, came up. Another
exchange of words took place.
There was an excited and threaten.
ing colloquy between the two out.
side the most public spot in the
whole place, and thus it came to
pass that the mos exaggerated ru-
mors were set in motion. Sifted
down, the foregoing are the princi-
pal facts 10 the case so far as Mr..
Conkling and Mr. Sprague are con-
cerned.
On Thursday night according to
x-Governar Sprague himself he
could not sleep. He said to trades
men here next day that bis mind
was troubled: that he could get no
rest, and that some one had to be
cleared out of his house that Friday
night. His movements during FRI
day morning were noticed by good
many people as being very strange,
but no one thought he contemplated
personal injury toward any indivi.
nal. After the encounter Mrs. Spra-
que went with her children and
maid, to Providence. This account
confirms the opinion of persons here
that Sprague misconstrued natural
friendship on the part of Senator
ConkIing toward bis family, which
dates back many years, and, while
under the influence of passion, act.
ed very foolishly.
New York, Aug. l1.-Senator
Roscoe Conkling Is at the Fifth Ave-
nue. Hotel. He refuses TO see repor-
ters. At an early hour he was join
ed by A. B. Cornell, and, after
breakfast. both went out together.