The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-08-19
THE sPRAGUE SENSATION.
The New York ssWorId's'' Account
OF the Incidents at MARIA
gnnsett Pier.

Special Telegram TO the Inter ocean.
NEw YoRK, Aug. l2.-The World has
the following account OF the difficulty
at Narragansett Pier:
Senator Conkling reached ex-Gov-
ernor Sprague's house as a visitor on
Wednesday evening. He remained
there as visitor next day, aud was on
the hotel piazza duTiug next evening,
conversiug with some ladies. During
Friday afternoon Governor Sprague
was observed driving about Narragan-
sett Pier, having been at home enter
tanning his guests the night previous.
He had a gun with him, which it is be-
lieved that he loaded earlier in the day.
Finally he drove TO the rear OF his
house, which is about a mile and n
half from the pier, and came through
the house in a somewhat excited condi-
ton. He got out on the piazza where
lie found Senator COnkling conversing
with Mrs. Sprague, who was at the
window. Governor Sprague then said,
addressing Senator Conkling. care
you armed, sir?' and Conkling replied,
mo, | am not. " "lhen, said ex-Gov-
ernor Sprague, 81 give you five min
thes TO quit these premises. III you are
not away / will fire at you" Ex-Gov-
ernor Sprague Is said then To have
made use of some further exasperating
language. Senator ConkliDg, seeming
much surprised, but remembering 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.
Gouarpnr afnnl IOcfipo
al Senator Conkliug, while a carriage
drove up which had been ordered 90
take Mrs. Sprague for drive. When
Mrs. Sprague found that Ex-Governor
Sprague was determined on an unpleas-
ant scene, she called for her hat and
shawl, which Mrs. Martin, friend and
guest in the house, brought her. La
the house at the time. as guests, were
Mr.. and Mrs Martin, Miss Martin and
Mrs. Alexander, as we'll as Senator
CoDkling.
After Mr.. Sprague repeated his ordeI
TO Conkling to quit his house, there
was some hesitancy on the part Of the
New York Senator as what should
be done, but seeing no hope OF ra-
tional solution, he finally took his hat,
aud. entering the carriage, went down
to the pier, stopping on the way at Bill
lington's restaurant. Scarcely had he
arrived there and got out Of the con-
veyance than Governor Sprague, who
had followed, came up. Another ex
change of words took place. There was
an excited and threatening colloquy
between the two outside the most pub
lie spot in the whole place, and thus 1t
came to pass that the most exaggerat-
ed rumors were set in motion. Sifted
down, the foregoing are the principal
facts in the case so far as Mr.. Conkling
and Mr. Sprague are concerned.
On Thursday night, according 10 ex-
Governor Sprague himself, he could
not sleep. He said 10 tradesmen here
next day that his mind was troubled;
that he could get no rest, and that
some one had 20 be cleared out Of his
house that Friday night. His move
ments during Friday morning were
noticed by good many people as be-
ing very strange, but no one thought
he contemplated personal injury to-
ward any individual. After the encoun-
ter Mrs. Sprague went, with her chill
dren and maid, to Providence. This
account confirms the opinion of per-
sons here that Sprague misconstrued
natural friendship on the part OF Sena-
tor Conkling toward his family, which
dates unde- the influence Of pa1sioD
acted very fOclishly.