The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-03-31
THE sPRAGuE CASE.
Wealth and Ambition--The Blasted Life of
Kate Chase.

Twenty years ago VIM. sprague was one
of the most conspicuous and respected men
of the nation. He was young; immensely
rich; had won the Governorship of his Re-
publican State, as the Democratic candidate,
against the sweeping Republican tide OF
1850; had pronounced for the Government
against armed treason with emphasis, and
led the troops of his State to the field; was
reelected Governor without serious contest
| In 1861; was transferred to the United States
Senate amidst the plaudits of the loyal
North, and the future seemed to possess
boundless political possibilities for the
frasils looking little millionaire soldier and
/ statesman of Rhode islaId.
The first Republican national administra-
ton had for one of its chief Cabinet Minis
tiers Salmon p. Chase, of Ohio. He was
man of established national fame; had
served term in the Senate as one Of the
pioneer anti-slavery statesmen had been
twice elected Governor of bis State; had
been re elected to the Senate, and resigned
his full Senatorial term to become Secretary
of the Treasury when that department de-
manded the highest and bEoadest statesman
ship. In addition to his distinction as a
statesman, his individual purity of character
shed the richest lustre upon the government
of which he was one of the central figures.
With Mr.. Chase came his daughter to pre-
side al the home of the eminent Finance
Minister. She was just blooming into
womanhood, and in mind and form complet-
ed the circle of the graces. She was beauti-
full, elegant, intellectual, skillful, and am
bilious. She had not escaped the malignity
of scandal that magnifies indiscretions into
crimes, but she was accepted as the reignine
queen of Washington's beautiful and attract,
i've women. The young New England Sen
ator and the young beauty of the West met
when both were in the zenith of their SUI
premacy. What affection lacked TO mate
them, ambition and the general fitness o.
their union supplied, and their wedding Ii
recalled as one of the memorable events IL
the social history of the national capital.
Less than half score of years after VIM
Sprague and Kate Chase had commanded thu
homage of all and the envy of many, the!
had divided household; scandal with
thousand tongues was busy with the lives o
both; dissipation had stamped Its baleful i'm
press upon the husband until reason tottere'
on Its throne, and social dissipation hat
paled the cheek and dimmed the lustre o
the eve of the queen of Washington society
Riches took wings and fed amidst the shad
ows which darkened the once brilliant home
ard the end was multiplied scandals, AM
elimination and recrimiBation in legal pro
ceedincs for divorce. The final consumma
trou was reached In the Providence court ol
9 Monday, when Judge Durfee called the cas-
of skate Chase Sprague VS.. VIM. Sprague,
. and proposed to proceed to trial. Then
l was that both sides recoiled from their ow
: lives, anlait wss amieaLkp agreed that til
: divorce should be declared FOR desertion
that the daughters should remain with th
mother and the con with the father, and tha
the question of alimony should he subje'
: for future consideration.
Wealth. ambition, culture, and promis
never gave better assurance of happiness
usefulness, and honor than in the union
VIM. Sprague and Kate Chase; and in 8
the many social wrecks which have startle
4 the present generation. none has been MOI
c | hopeless.