Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-08-16
Ex.GOvERN0R sPRAGUE.
Something About the man Who Keeps a
Shot Gun.
PhiI1deiphia Times

Philadelphia Times.
William Sprague is man of slight
build. dark Complexion, black NOUS
tache and wears EYEGLASSES. A some
what peculiar trait has developed itself
on him since the failure. He has the
notion that it devolves on him to
raise the fallen fortunes OF his family.
| Sometimc. he will go to what people
call "extremes" in his endeavor to do
| something to satisfy bis mind In this
direction. During the great flood in
Rhode Island several years ago, in
which a number of dams were swept
away al no Sprsgue Mills at the viii
lage of Baltic, Governor Sprague join
ed his gang of labOrers with a shovel
and did his best to repair the damage.
William Sprague's prominence was
at its height during the war. AS the
| War Governor he was most active in
raising and equipping troops for the
service. He, too, served In the army
| while as Colonel. It was after the
war that his political experience began.
The Spragues had long been in power
in the politics of Rhode Island.
| William was most active in this direc'
ton. Amasa is more conservative,
and, though probably not less infiuen-
entail in politics, cares nothing for It's
hOnors. After ths clCJe of the war
William was elected to the United
States Senate. In Washington his
dash and wealth at once made him a
favorite in society. Managing mann
mas were never exercised over any,
thing more than they were by the ad-
vent of this very dC3irable young
man. Mis- Kate Chase was then q
| onoiotxy
and the facts of her marriage to Sens-
tor Sprague subsequently are too well
known to need repetition.
It is said there was a good deal OF
real friendship existing between Will
liam Sprague and old Salmon Chase,
his father-In-laW. Judge Chase was q
FREQUENT visitor at his son>in-law's
residence at Narragansett Pier aite
the marriage and up to the time of his
death. This residence is among the
most magnificent to be found in
Rhode Island, and is said to cost al
most fortune yearly to keep it up.
Since the expiration of Senator
Sprague's term in Congress he has
been mostly at home assisting, in COM
mon with his brother, the trustee IN
the settling up of their affairs. His
wife, who has a fortune in her own
right, nherited from her father, spends
less time in Rhode Island than in
Washington, where she Is stlli q
reigning queen in society.
Both the Sprague brothers have
the name of being very systematic In
their business management. Amasa
is reputed TO be more cool headed aud
; careful than his brother. 1t is gen
orally believed that to the latter is due
the ambitious extension of business -
supposed to have been against his
brothers advice-and which some
claim have tended to bring their diff
culties on. Both of the bothers have
been rather high livers. Amasa was
the founder of the celebrated Maria
gansett Pier Trotting Park, which, in
the palmy days of the Spragues. was
one OF the finest in the country. He
kept large stud of horses and made
the place a resort for not orly rromi-
nent racing people from all
over the country, but a favorite
place for the exhibition of agri.
cultural and industrial products.
The Sprague family at present con-
sists of the TWO brothers, mother and
sister. The latter is the wife of the
Mayor of Providence, Thomas A.
Doyle, one of the most popular men
In Rhode Island, who has been elected
thirteen different times to the Mayor
atty. Doyle is regarded as one of the
coming mel of the State. In politics
he is Republican.
The mother of the Sprague brothers
still lives in Providence. She is ven-
erable lady, highly respected, and
strangely enough, is firm believer in
spirItualisn, from which she seems to
derive much solace in her old age
She lives iD fine mansion on Hope
street, one of the aristocratic quarters
of the town, and is still bright and ac'
tive. In her spirituslistic belief she
seems TO be alone. None of the resi-
of the family share it. The daughter
is regular attendant of the First . ni.
tartan Church, one of the most fash
: ionabIe places of worship in Provi'
dence.