Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-09-07
CANONCHET.
A Scene Of Magnificence Drop
ping Away in Decay and Ruin.

Canonchet, the villa of Ex-Governor
Sprague, lately bought on speculation
by Francis NJ. Moulton for $62,250, is
said to have cost not less than 81 ,000,-
900. The house was originally the prop
erty of Gov. Atwood Robinson, when it
was surrounded by a plantation of from
1000 to 5000 acres. VIM. Sprague,
when he became the husband of Kate
Chase, gave her liberty to convert it into
a villa, but stipulated that the Oldbuilding
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 pro-
yided for, and when she was not half
done the building had become sHch a
labyrinth that an architect was employ
ed in making plans for each floor, which
were framed and hung up to guide per :
sons in their wahderings. A grand
staircase cost $4,000; a library, on the
second floor, cost $4,000; but her plans
were unfinished when the financial
crash came There is gorgeous apart
ment, tloored with polished marble, and
having dismantled fountain in the
center. This was designed for music
room, with spaces for six pianos. The
fresco-painters had outlined beautiful
design, illustrating the chase of but
terhy by boys, and it was partly worked
out. When the crash came they drop
ped the palnt-pOts upon the floor. and
they remain there. The room is 3
splendid ruin. :
The parlors were never finished,
though satin, costing $12 yard, lined
the walls. Electric bells are scattered
through the house; there are splendid
chandeliers, but no gas; telegraph Of
flee, where an operator was kept in the
summer months, when, at one time. fifty
guests and thirty servants spent merry
-drys at the expense of the host, who now
keeps q loaded shotgun resting on a
carved mantel upheld by figures of mer-
maids. Surprises await the visitor in
the house. Up in enc tower where moth
ing is expected, is beautiful little
room in Pempeiian red, spangled with
gold, where meals for two are 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 ar
ranged, and keep up book of addresses
of Mrs. Sprague's frieAds. An occasiOn-
al lady friend has in visiting the place,
put check to the ruin and the loss by
having the rich carpets moved from be-
meath the leaks, and securing the silver
ware found behind books, in closets, and
even In the grass lawn. Much of the
furniture has been boxed up and sent
away from Canonchet, and much re-
mains.
+ Amid these scenes of decay ex-Gov.
Sprague and his boy Willie have lived
for several years in solitude, broken 10y
great excitement us 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-Gov. Sprague
or his creditors. 1t has often been talk
ed OF as a. grand club house, and again
as a gambling house and cafe for mil
lionaires. The landscape about it is in
its primitive state. Two hundred acres
of it are made up Of a salt marsh. with
an inlet from the sea. Mrs. Sprague
expected that her husband would build
ornamental stables and adorn the
grounds. bat ne never did. There is moi
yet setting for the costly and odd jew
els. The future Of the place il apt to bs
part of the summer life ut Narragan
sett,