The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-08-14
The Sprague-C Onkling Scandal.

+ IHe cpfague.COnKllng Scandal.
i A special dispatch to the New York World
from Narragansett rier gives the following
particulars of the Sprague- Conkling unpleas-
antness: The affair occurred on Friday even
ing. Either on Wednesday night or Thursday
morning Senator Conkling arrived at Narragan-
sett Pier. With him, or after him, came a
trunk and large valise. These articles of
baggage were taken to the Sprague mansion by
the direction of Senator Conkling. He re-
manned there as visitor the next day,
and was on hotel piazza the next
evening conversing with some ladies. Dur
ing Friday afternoon Gov. Sprague was
observed driving about Narragansett Pier
having been at home entertaining his guests
the night previous, though he had been absent
TOR day Or two before. He had gun with
MIN, which 1t is believed that he loaded earlier
house, which is about a mile and half from
the pier, and came through the house in a
somewhat excited condition He got out to the
piazza, where he found Senator Conkllng con-
verslng with Mrs Sprague, who was at win
dow. Gov. sprague then said. addressing
senator Conkilng: care you armed, sir?"
said ex-G Gov. sprague, II give you five minutes
10 get Oh these premises If you are not then
away | will fire at you" ..t,
Ex-Gov. Sprague is said then to have made
use of some further exasperating language
Senator Conkling, seeming much surprised,
but remembering that he was under ex- Gov
sprague's roof, rose and took a few steps away,
while Mrs. Sprague came out of the house and
stood between them. Elk, Gov Sprague stood
looking at Senator Conkling while carriage
drove up which had been ordered to take Mrs
Sprague for a drive. When Mrs Sprague
found that ex-Gov. Sprague was apparently
determined on an unpleasant scene, she called
for her hat and shawl, which Mrs Martin, a
friend and guest in the house, brought her.
After ex-Gov. Sprague had repeated his per-
house, there was some hesitancy on the part of
the New York Senator as to what should be
done, but he finally took his hat, and, entering
the carriage, went down to the pier, stopping
on the way at Billington's restaurant Scarcely
had he arrived there and got out of the convey
ance than ex-Gov. Sprague, who lad followed
came up, and therefore, It'll certain that the lat
ter must have kept his horse hitched up
ready for use to follow Senator Conkling
On the arrival of ex-Gov. Sprague at Billing
toms another exchange of words took place. but
there is not the slightest testimony to show that
at any time a hand-t o-hand encounter. such as
has been spoken of freely here to-day. took
cited and threatening encounter between the
two III one of the most public spots in the whole
place, and thus it came to pass that the most
exaggerated rumors were set in motion Sifted
down, the foregoing are the principal facts in
the case so far as MIR. Conkling and Mr.. Sprague
are concerned.
"A correspondent OF the New York Times
gives the following version of the affair: On
his arrival at the house, Mr.. Sprague imme-
diately sought Senator Conkling, and CONVEX
sation with him followed, part of which was
overheard One Of the servants declares that
IN the hall Mr.. Sprague loudly ordered Mr.
Conkllng to leave the louise, saying he would
give him twenty minutes to get out of sight,
and if he did not go would shoot him. Senator
Conkling walked out Of. the entrance and
down the roadway toward the pier He
walked slowly, carrying his umbrella, and pick
ing his steps carefully through The deep sand
He probably walked over this sandy and sun
beaten track as FIR as the bathing houses, and
then through the poorest bit of street in Nara
gansett Pier toward Bllington's cafe When
he reached Billington's Senator Conkling, &C
cording to the story of bright boy who waited
on him went inside the door and stood there for
afew moments. While hestood there Mr. Sprague
had jumped into an old wagon, and was driving
furiously down the road over which Senator
Conkling had just passed. tradesman who
saw him as he turned into the street leading to
Billingto ns said he looked very excited,
and was driving furiously and carelessly. He
drew up directly in front of the cafe, and Sena-
tor Conkling at that time stood on the covered
stoop in front of it, AS he refined up he shock
his haLd IN threatening manner at Senator
:onkliDg, and talked and sesbiculated eYcitedly
Then Mr. Conkling crossed part way over ITO
the opposite corner, as if to go away. Mr..
Sprague quickly followed, wheeling his horse
suddenly and jumping out by Mr.. Conklings
side so lmpetuously that he carried the seat of
the wagon out with him. Sprague was heard
TO say, in a loud and excited voice:
if this place If you don't go I'll shoot you!
Don't cross my path again. Or, if you do, I
want you to be armed, for I'll shoot you as
sure as I meet you" To this Mr. Conkling
made some reply, and then Mr.. Sprague was
heard to respond: mo, I'll accept no apol-
ogies. Iwant you to get out of this place in
stantly" Mr. spragne then drove away, and
1epot.
: The Washington correspondent of the Chi |
cago 7a15upe says the news in regard to the
>onkling affair created no surprise whatever in |
Washington. "Ihe only wonder here for
months has been that the matter has not Gull
m arked attentions towards the family of Sena-
or Sprague have been the subject OF general |
go sip in Washington for a long time The |
Dcal press and correspondents have given nc |
circulation to the scandal out of regard to the |
lady in the case. and it is very likely that
iorhing in regard to the matter would ever |
nave reached the public had not Senator |
Snrague concluded to take the matter in hand |
himself. That he would do this has been ex-
pected on each occasion of his latter visits to
Was ington. The matter first became sub
iect of quite general conversation in Washing |
ton about the time that senator Conkling car |
id through the Senate and through the House !
bill for refundlng certain large amounts of |
tax, claimed to be exorbitant, levied upon the
STATE near this city now occupied by Mrs |
Snr que. Her numerous visits to the Capitol |
and constant association when there with Sena-
tor Conkllng intensified this talk, and for |
couple of months before the adjournment of
the last session the establishment was general
am ng the friends of both parties that they
~hou either be sc reckless in regard to afford
s foundation for genel al talk, or so oblivious
20 the vast amount OF gossip to which their in
association u;y,ir VII /