The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-04-10
In Arbitrating q Partnership
an Ugly Mess is I'm
earthed.
A Middle Aged Gentleman
Who is Charged With
Seduction.
The Novel Means Employed to
Bring About a Speedy
Settlement.

Inc people Oh syracuse, small village
twenty mites east of Sedalia, in the edge OF
Morgan county, are reveling over the un-
eartbing of case OF scandal in their
midst, all the parties interested being we'll
known and heretofore held in esteem. Be.
ing unable to secure all the facts in the
case without visiting the scene, a repre-
sentative Of the paper published for the
people now on earth" was
dispatched thither yesterday, and
found that the rumor which had reached
this city was true in every particular. but
not one-half had been told.
Up to a few days ago Hugh Sprowl.
married man some forty-five years of age
and David Grove. aged thirly-6ve and
single, were engaged in the general mer-
chandise business at Syracuse. The part
nership was formed some twelve years ago,
and all went well until quite recently.
Sprowl is brother in-law OF Grove. having
married his sister, but they have no chill
dren.
Being unable to agree upon the manner
of conducting the business longer it was
decided that committee of arbitration
each partner to choose one and these two
to select third, should take an inventory
OF the stock and examine the books, papers,
etc., after which they were to make a re-
port, which both partners agreed should be
final.
With this object in view, Messrs. Finis
Arnold and Frank Craycroit, of Sedalia, and
II. NJ. Keevil, of Syracuse. were elected as
arbitrators, and last Friday, after some
five days work, they made their report,
showing that Sprowls interest in the store
announced to g, 1874. Is, while Groves footed
ups,
The report was not at all satisfactory to
Sprawl. He claimed that Grove, while
still his partner had been absent in Min
nesota for four years past, leaving him
(Sprowl) to conduct the business and divide
the profits equally. In addition, he pro-
that he had not been allowed all that was
due him, and he asked that the arbitrators
give him second hearing. which was
finally Consented to, and the evidence was
to have been heard in Sedalia to-day.
But there will be no hearing to-day,
or any other day, all owing to the
bringing of woman into the
case. Some eight years ago Mr.. and Mrs.
Sprowl took into their home little girl
named Kettle Knipe, then aged about 6f-
teen years. She is the daughter of Mrs.
Knipe, who was charge on the authorities
of Sedalis two years ago last winter, il be-
ing stated at that time that her husband
had run off and his whereabouts were un-
known. Ever since becoming an inmate of
Sprowls home she has been looked upon
as member of the family, and outsiders
she was treated as such, never
DIRE aiming of the true state of affairs.
In addition to caring for Katie, Mr..
Sprowl rented house for Mrs. Knipe and
assisted her in making . living. There
was still another daughter, younger than
Katie, and some two years ago she also be-
came q member of Sprowi's family, Mr..
Sprowl remarking when he took cher that
be had to support the family anyhow, and
he might as we'll have the little girRat his
house as with Ter mother.
On Saturday last, after it had been deci-
ded by the arbitrators to give Sprowl
second hearing, Grove went to him and in
sisted on buying him out, but TO no pur-
pose. Later in the day, however, came
which caused Sprowl to be-
come anxious to dispose OF his interest.
Miss Kittie Knipe, now q woman %
years of age, confessed to her mother that
she had been seduced by Sprowl, and
would, in few months, become a mother
on account of his peridy. The news soon
spread, and reached the ears of
Grove, who went to Sprowl and
advised him TO sell, but still he de-
clined. On the train which arrived Sun
day evening from ST. Louis came Mr..
Knipe, father::of the young lady who il is
alleged was seduced. He had been ap-
prised by telegram of his daughters dis
grace, and came TO seek revenge. He was
heavily armed aud announced his intention
If having Sprowps hearts blood.
Knipe's mission reached the ears OF
Sprowl, and he had conference with his
part ner, Grove, during which he signi6ed
his willingness to sell at the price fixed by
he arbitraiors. This was satisfactory to
Grove, but he insisted that Sprowl should
)nly receive $500 in cash,
and the remainder, something over
81, 200, was TO be paid to
Mrs. Sprowl Groves sister In install
nents. Seeing no other way out OF the
Sprowl finally agreed to Groves
proposition, and Sed.lia was fixed as the
place for making the transfer, and yester-
lay as the time. Sprowl lost no time in
,eiting out of the reach of Knips, who
vas still looking dor him. He walked to
and then came to Sedalia on q
reight train, where he met his partner,
rowe, yesterday, and the business in hand
vas executed. SprOwl received $500 in
ash, and In addition three notes made pay
bile to his wife, Jane Ann Sprowl, and she
lone will secure the money on them.
1t is the general belief in Syracuse that
Hrs Sprowl and her brother, Grove, put
Up neat little job on old man Sprowl,
whereby Mrs. s. will receive what Mr.. s.
lever intended should be hers. The con-
tssion of Katie Knipe, however, rather
orced matters, and Sprowl was glad to get
ut of old man Knipe's path with even so
mall sum as $500.
The case is the one subject of con-
ersation in Syracuse, where the reporter
Dund several who did not believe that Miss
Lpipe was enciente. although they do not
retend to say she was not crlminslly init
nate with Sprowl. Ii is thoupht she was