Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-08-27
MRS. SPRAGUE'S STATEMENT,
Concerning the Sensational Episode mt
NarraganSett Pier.


Narragansett Pier.
A New York Sun dispatch of Aug.
18th gives the following additional state.
ment made by Mrs. Sprsgue: A special
correspondent called on Mrs. Sprague
at Canonchet after seeing the governor,
who directed Mr.. Watson to take the
gentleman to Mrs. Sprague. The cor
respondent was presented, and Mrs.
Sprague addressed him as follows
have sent for you because | wish to
correct some fase impressions. | did
not charge my husband with untruth.
fitness, nor did | make verbal attacks
upon him, which am represented rs
doing. On the contrary, | bore with
meekness unmanly reproaches show
cred upon me. have my story to tell,
and when the truth is known | shall, be
justified. For years / have had this
thing weighing upon me and have
striven with all my might to
stand between my husbands wrong
doing and the public. / have done 1t
for the sake of my children, not for any
affection that existed between us; for
there has been none for years. This
whole miserable affair into which SEN
ator Conklng has been dragged without
a particle Of reason, originated in n
business transaction between himself
and my husband of
so TRIVIAL \ NATURE
that you would be astonished that any
sane man could consider it source of
jealousy. For years have known him,
from the time | was child, and my
husband has known him for years.
Two years ago they were on perfectly
good terms. Up to that time his name
had never been mentioned by my hus-
band otherwise than with respect. A
year ago last July Mr.. Sprague sent on
to Washington lot of young colts and
horses. He wished me to use those |
wanted for riding and driving and have
the rest pastured som ewhcre near the
city. He came on himself and was
looking for a place to pasture them
when Mr.. Conkling told him Of some
farmer in the neighborhood who was
taking care of his (Conklings) horse.
Mr.. Sprague accepted the suggestion
with pleasure, and Mr.. Conkling intro
duced him to the former. When Octo-
Der came the man sent his bill, which |
forwarded to Mr.. Sprague, in Rhode
Island. The bill was sent again and
again. Then the man
APPLIED TO SENATOR CoNKLING
and then threatened to sue him. Mr.
Conkling was finally forced TO write to
Mr.. Sprague, telling him the position in
which he was placed, and on subse-
quent visit to Washington again called
on Mr.. Sprague and asked him to set
tic it, He told my husband he could
not be expected to pay any ady's bills.
least of all a married lady's, and that it
would be an insult to propose ii, but
that he Mr.. Conkling) would gladly
give my husband the money to pay it
out of his own pocket and let him re-
pay it whenever he would. That was
the commencement of all my husbands
jealousy against Mr.. Conkling.
How did Mr.. Conkling venture to
come to Canonchet under the circum-
stances? He came simply to use his in
fluence with my husband to consent to
certain policy in the manag Of
the estate. 1t was precisely the same
subject on which Mr.. Sprague had vol
UNFAIRLY gone to Washington and con-
suited him in April previous, so | con-
sidered there would be no improperly
in his visiting us here for that purpose.
Mr.. Tnroop Martin, of Auburn, an old
friend of Mr. Conkling, and an invalid
of over 20, was staying with us, together
with his wife and daughter. My hus-
band was constantly going and coming
at intervals of few days and no effort
was made to conceal the fact Of the
senator's visit from him. / met the
senator after he landed from the boat
at Narragansett and told him that his
old friend Mr.. Martin was stopping with
us and that we should be pleased to
have him stop ovor at Canonchet. He
came and occupied
A ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR
on Wednesday and Thursday nights
preceding the trouble. On Friday
morning when came down to breakfast
was told to 10Y surprise that Mr..
Sprague had come home suddenly at
2 o'clock a. m, and had left again.
paid no attention to this, however, as
his movements are
ALWAYS VERY ERRATIC
had learned to be used to these freaks;
but Mr.. Conkling, when told of the gov
errors visit, seemed surprised at such
conduct. | thought no more of it, and
busted myself about my household
affairs while Senator Conkling took a
seat on the lounge in the room and was
looking over the newspapers. After
giving my orders | turned to Mr.. Mar
tin. who was sitting in the room, and at
his request sat down to read little to
him. Just then Mr.. Sprague came up
stairs. He walked slowly into the