The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-09-29
cANoNcHET.
A Scene Of Magnifcence Dropping Away
In Decay and Ruin.

Canonchet, the villa OF Ex-Governor
SprAgue, lately bought on speculation by F.
p. Moulton for s62, ,250, Is said to have cost
not less than sl,o00,0OO. The house was
originally the property Of Gov. Atwood Rob-
inson, when 1t was surrounded by planta-
tion of from 1900 to 5000 acres. William
when he became the husband of Kate Chase,
gave her liberty to convert IL into a villa,
but stipulated that the old building should
not be disturbed as to its roof and walls.
The bills incurred by her orders amounted
to 100000. She added four towers, and
sixty rooms were provided for, and when
she was not half done the building had be-
come such a labyrinth that an architect was
employed in making plans for each floor,
which were framed and hung up to guide
persons in their wanderings. A grand stair
case cost $4,000; a library on the second
floor cost $4,000; but her plans were un-
finished when the financial crash came.
There is gorgeous apartment, foored with
polished marble, and having a dismantled
fountain in the center; this was desigaed
for a music room, with spaces for six
pianos. The fresco-painters had outlined a
beautiful design, illustrating the chase of a
butterfly by boys, and 1t was partly worked
out. When the crash came they droppe
the paint-pots upon the floor and they re-
main there, The room is splendid
ruin.
The parlors were never finished, though
satin, costing Sl2 a yard, lined the walls.
Electric bells are scattered through the
house; there are splendid chandeliers, but
no gas. A telegraph Office, where an ope.
rator was kept during the summer months,
was at the service of the many guests who
spent merry days at the expense of the host,
who now keeps a loaded shotgun res: ing on
carved mantel upheld by figures Of mer-
maids. Surprises await the visitor in the
house. Up in one tower where nothing Is
expected is beautiful little room In Pom
pelham red, spanglsd with gold, where meals
for two were served. On the floor Is the
room for page, whose duty it was to attend
at the door, to keep the cards of visitors
neatly arranged, and keep up book of
addresses of Mrs. Sprague's friends. An
occasional lady friend has in visiting the
place put check to the ruin and loss by
having the rich carpets moved from beneath
the leaks, and securing the silverwsre found
behind books in closets, and even In the
grass on the lawn. Much of the furniture
has been boxed up and sent away from Can
onchet, and much remains.
Amid these scenes of decay Ex-Governor
Sprague and his boy Willie have lived for
several years in solitude, broken by great
excitement as the officers of the law have
come about the place. What its ultimate
fate will be is uncertain, as the legality of
the late sale will probably be disputed,
either by Ex-Governor Sprague or his cred
itors. 1t has often been talked of as grand
club house, and again as gambling house
and cafe for millionaires. The landscape
about 1t is in its primitive state. Two
hundred acres of it are made up of a salt
marsh, with au inlet from the sea. Mrs.
Sprague expected that her husband would
build ornamental stables and adorn the
gonnds but he never did. There is not yet
a setting for the costly and odd jewel. The
future of the place Is apt to be part of the
summer life at Narraganset. ......s