Daily Republican., 1882-08-18
THE SALE OF OANOMCHEE.
Governor SpFague's Famous Home
Bought by Francis ID MouItON.

Rhode Island, says AS had been an
ticipated, the sale of Canonchet, ex
Governor Sprague's famous home, wa
attended with considerable excitement
Trouble was looked Tor, and it came
Those who were up with the lark a
Narragansett Pier this morning were
not little surprised to see two persont
at work near the main gateway. Will
lie Sprague, aided by an old man nameC
Macomber, who works about the place
was busily engaged In demolishing the
bridge over the pond between Canon
chet and the font gateway. Their object
was obvious when, an hour later, notices
were posted upon all the gates leading
to the grounds. They read as follows
"No admittsnre. Canonchet and
grounds are closed to all carriages and
persons. NV. SPRAGUE."
The two struggled hard to destroy
Communication by way of the bridge,
but could only rip off the plankinR, the
stringors proving too much for their ef-
forts.
At 10 o'clock number of bellies
and matroas were at the gates asking
for admission but it was In vain. The
gates we're fastened with OK chains,
and Mr.. Macomber was inexorable.
At II O'Clock when Mr.. Chafee and
his auctioneer arrived he found the lar
gest crowd that ever assembled at a
sale of his. Among others present
were Mr.. Francis D. Moulton, J. D.
Lynch, of Al Wall street, one of the
IDelmonicos, and a number of wealthy
New York men all eager to buy the
property. After the terms of the sale
had been read and description of the
property given, Mr.. Hall, the auction.
eer, said that there were 400 acres OF
land, with more than 5000 feet frontage
on the beach ana concluded his re.
marks with the announcement that the
Spragues had laid out $500, 900 ON the
place. Before any bid could be made
Richard Conlstock gave notice that
this property had been attached by
Evan Randolph, of Philadelphia, for
$40, 900, on q mesne process issued by
the United States Court on Monday af.
ternoon. This was to satisfy claim
against the firm Of Hoyt, SpIague and
Co. Mr.. Chafee's lawyer replied that
the title to the property was in A. &
W. Sprague, who conveyed it to the A.
s. W. Sprague Manufacturing Compa-
ny, and that the HOyts had nothing to
do with this estate; the title Mr.. Cha.
fee would give would be backed mp by
that obtained by the executive sale of
the New York Bank of Commerce.
Lawyer Patton said that in behalf of
the Spragues he protested against the
sale on the grounds that the property
had already Eeen sold twice under levy
and execution, and that the notes
issued by the trustee were not issued in
accordance with the terms Of the trust
deed, fact that had been sworn to in
court by the trustee.
Mr.. Chafee turned sharply and said;
"Wha:'s that? Inever said any
thing of the kind"
~ think it is q part Of the record 81
the court" satd Lawyer Patton.
"You think So" said Mr.. Chatee, "
but think it's lie,"
Mr.. Hall invited the assembly to
walk across the bridge stringers to the
shady grounds beyond. Tho crowd
followed as one man. When they were
about to step upon the grounds, Willie
Sprague appeared as suddenly as an
Iapparltion. He was on horseback,
and took the middle of the road. He
demanded that Mr.. Hall stop, and
as the latter failed to come to time,
the young man showed his right hand
into his side pocket and closed his
fingers over pistol handle. The crowd
paused most peacefully.
The auction was begun at $50, 900, and
was run up to $27, 900. Then another dis.
turbance occurred. Deputy Sheriff
Tucker forbade the sale on the ground
that the local auctioneer, under whom
Mr.. Hall was proceeding, had not been
legally elected, nor had he qualified
properly. The matter was argued at
length, the sale going on under protest.
The bidding was between Moulton and
Lynch from this time out Mr.. Moul~
ton finally got the property for $62, 900.
While the sale was going on Willie
Sprague was standing.guardlat the gate.
Gov. Sprague guarded the house, around
which he walked armed with a rifle.
After, the sale Gov. Sprague went over
to the studio and met Moulton, whom
he accused of going back on him. While
this matter was being adjusted, word
was accidentally dropped that Mr.. Cha
fee was ON the piazza Of the Studio.
Quick as a shot Gov. Sprague vent for
him, declaring he would thrash him.
Mr.. Chafee was accompanied by his
brother-in-law, Mr.. E. G. Farmer, U.
s. Gauger at this port, who replied to
the OK Governor, Mr.. Sprague then
threatened to thrash him.
"-- you % said Mr.. Farmer,
"I'll shake you out of your boots and
fire you over the piazza" He added
that he was there to gnard his friends
as well as himself. At this point Mr..
Chafes remarked "that he could lick a
whole cowyard full of William
Spragues.
Mr.. Patton took Gov. Sprague away
before any blows were exchanged.
After the sale it was learned that
Mr.. Moulton had agreed to sSll strips
of the beach to Delmonico and one of
the Lelands and next year q grand
hotel and a sumptuOus cafe and club
house will be put there. Mr.. Moulton
will receive as much for these two
strips, 1t is said, as he gave for the on.
tire property, and will have the whole
of the farm, the residence and two.
thirds of the beach left. Some idea OF
the ature of the investment he has
made may be derived from the fact
that one acre of land with the beach
frontage was sold at the Pier last week
for 5000. The house itself was once
valuable property, but 1t leaks every
where. The water pipes were all fro
zen and burst few winters ago, the
grand carved staircase has begun to
fall to pieces, and in some of the rooms
the elegantly frescoed walls are held
up by braces reaching from the floor to
the ceiling.
PrOselyt1ng.
Mr.. Geo. w. Childs, of Philadelphia,
ia said to be very anxious to get his