Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-11
SPRAGUE'S SUSPICIOUS.
SHOT, GUN POLICY IN RHODE ISLAND.
An Ex-United States Senator Creates Sen
sation, and With His Gun Causes
His Guests to Vacate
the Premises.

PROvIDESCE, X. l., August S.-Ihe
city has been full OF rumOrs tonight
concerning an unpleasant affair at the
residence OF Senator Sprague, at Nara
eansett Pier. On Friday afternoon
rumors OF a serious shooting were cur
rent. involving Senator ConkAng. lnves-
tigation of the affair shows that there
was no shooting. 1t appears that Mrs.
Vim. Sprague and children arrived in
Rhode Island from Washington two
weeks ago, and after a short stay at
Watch Hill went to her husbands resi-
dence at Narragansett Pier.
Some months ago she engaged Ger
man teacher for her children named
George LinCk, OF New York, and he
was unoccnpied while the family were
in Washington, and she requested him
10 come to Naragansett Pier to meet her
husband 10 arrange his compensation.
Linck came, but for several days did not
see Sprague. At last he met him at
Watch Hill about week ago, and tor
some unknown reason Sprague took a
violent dislike to him, and forbid him to
come to his house at the pier.
Linck, however, went TO Sprague's
house Friday, and the result was that
very disgraceful encounter ensued.
After LincE had been in the house
awhile Sprague arrived, and when he
saw the German, became furlOusly mad,
and i'm spite of the fact that the house
had several guests, ladies' and gentle
men from Albany and elsewhere, he
ordered the man TO leave, and seizlng
dOuble-barreled shot gun, threatened To
kill him il he did not go. Sprague had
previously informed some of his guests
that they also had better 90, as it was
probable there would be murder in the
house. The ladies screamed, and there
was a great deal OF excitement at the
strange action OF the ex-senator.
The housekecper cndeavOred TO quiet
the infuriated man, but it was necessary
ior Linck to depart before the fear OF
bloodshed was allayed. The German
left the house and went into the village,
whittier after time Spraguc followed,
but he did not chance To encounter him
again.
Senator COnkling was at Sprague's
house during the alteration, but saw
nothing OF il Us he was in the library at
the time, some distance from the scene.
1t appears that Sprague had consulted
Senator COnkhng in Washington some
months ago IpOn business connected
with the settlement of the Sprague es-
tate, and as the business was unfinished,
and as it had been intimatcd to Senator
COukling that Sprague wished to see
him again ABOUT it, the Senator went
over 10 the Pines from Newport in
Yacht with party OF friends Thursday
afternoon. He called at Spraguc'S house
FRIDAY and was aNaiting his arrival To
consult him in reference to the business,
During the alteration, hearing the Ia
dies scream, COnkling Immediately
sought them out, aud found they were
desirous To- leave the house. There was
an invalid gentleman in the party, and
Conkling took him IN his arms and re-
moved him To a carriage, and aiterward
saw that all present were conveyed from
the residence. He then walked TO the
village Of Narragansett Pier, half a mile
from the house. He passed up the
main road and met ex-senator Sprague
driving 10 the Pier. He stopped and
asked Sprague what all the trouble was
about, saying he could not understand
why he should act so like wild man.
Sprague said that he knew his own bus
iness, refusing to give any explanation
of his actions.
Senator Conkling went to the house
of friend and shortly after took the
evening train for Providence. He was
the guest of Senator Anthony Friday,
and last evening took the steamer for
New York.
The above is based on statements OF
friends OF both Conkling and Sprague,
who seem disposed TO cover up the
affair. There are many, however, who
believe all has not yet been told, and
that Sprague and COnkling are not on
the best of terms, owing to a skeleton
that is said to have existed ior some time
in the closet Of the house Of the former.