Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-04-20
"Reminiscences Of Mr. conlsling.

"Reminiscences OF Mr.. eOnikllng.
In social life Mr.. Conkling was OF the most
hospitable and en;erisining disposition, &C.
cessible to rich and poor alike. If you
called on business he might not be able to
receive you, and frequently could not as
the Interests Of others and previous en-
gagementG prevented, but he would make
an appointment with you, and he always
kept it, no matter how unimportant your
business might be to him or urgent or valua-
bio to some others who were delayed on
your account. He was always candid and
honest about both per5onsand things. If he
recoiected pe1sors-and he generally did
he addressed them ~ they we're entitled
but il he had forgotten or didn't know them
he frankly told them So
Of the numerous personal incidents in his
career one of the most notable was the en-
counter between himself apd Senator Cor
don, of Georgia, in the winter cf 1880, which
threatened to result in q duel. A nomna-
ton upon which Gordon was speaking was
under consideration in executive session,
when Conking interrupted with the re.
mark: go on with the calendar" A few
moments later Gordon complained that
Conkling had attempted to usurp the func-
tions OF the presiding officer. to which Conk-
ling replied that Gordon had STATED what
was not true" Gordon said Very well,
we will settle that hereafter" and Conkling
reloined "Wo will settle it here" Mr..
Gordon then again said "We will not set
tie here, but elsewhere" IL was finally
agreed that Senators Hamlin and Howe, as
friends of Conking, and Ransom and Nc
Donald, ss friends of Gordon, should en-
deavor to adjust the difficulty. They did
30, attes two conferences, in an adrotly
worded statement thst attributed the trou
BILE to mutual misunderstanding 1T is
not true" writes Major Poore, THAT any
communication passed between the parties
although it il known that Mr. Lamar coun-
selsd General Gordon, and that Senator
Jones, of Nevada, and General Phil Sheri
den were tho advisers oil Mr.. Conkling."
Another wel-remembered event was the
feud between Ex-Governor William Sprague,
of Rhode Island, and Mr.. Conkling, grow
ing out Of what Mr.. Sprague deemed the
too effusive attentions of the Senator to Mrs.
Sprague, the brilliant daughter of Chief
Justice Chase. 1t lead to the retreat OF MIR,
Conking from the Sprague residence at
Canonchet before the angry husband, who
was armed With q shotgun. 1t is fair to add
that toe name of Mr. Conkling did not figure
in the divorce proceedings that separated
Mr.. and Mrs Sprague.
Mr.. Conklipg married the youngest sister
of Hotatio Seymour. Their only child was
a daughter, who became Mrs. Oakman, wife
of an official of the New York Central rail
roaG. The Senator was go opposed to the
marriage that he declined to counteDance it
with his presence. After bis retirement
from the Senate he made his home in New
York city, while Mrs Conkling continued
10 reside ut Utica They subsequently met,
but rarely until they were reunited ct his
death bed.
"Years ago WAS employed By the Phila.
delphia, Wilmington and Baltimore railroad
at the junction few miles out OF Baltl-
more" said 3 telegraph operator Zone af-
ternoon an unusually handsome and athletic
man entered the little station. Does the
limited express for Washington stop here p
he inquired. No, sir Ireplied Can you stop
it?' Not without orders from the main office.'
Il will explain my situation TO you,' seid the
stranger. in the hope you viii DO Ell in your
power to aid me. came from Washington to
intercept at Baltimore gentleman who is on
his way from New York to the capital lie ls
on the limited express. 1t is Of the greatest
reaches Washington. A railway conductor
directed me TO the Union station, where he
said the limited would stop, but lost my
way and wandered here after long tramp
"Telling him would see what could do
for him, I telegraphed to Philadelphia for
permission to stop the express. You might
use nv name il you think itw0uld be of any
use.' said the gentleman. And your name
is-?' said I. 'Conklng-Roscoe Conkling,'
replied the gentleman. flashed ovsr the
wire: Senator Conkling wants ne 10 stop
the limited express fo- him 10 get aboard
The answer came back How do you kuow
it is Conklipg? % Turning 10 him, said !:
sPhiIadelphia wants Identification. viii
| this do p he asked, displaying 4 handsome
gold watch, with the Initials Il. c. engraved
on the case. At the sane ii1e, either By
design or chance, he removed his hat.
Grasping the key, ticked these words to
Philadelphia Letters R. G. en- gentle
mans we;ch, but / know he's Conkling by
his Haunting .ed beard and the Hyperion
curl of Nast's cartoons. StralghtWhy the
sounder raped Stop train by ORDER ID. f.
Kenney, general superintendent.
"Copkling was profuse in his thanks. As
the express shot around the curve with him
safely on board, he made courteous gesture
of farewell to me-"
Mr.. S. S. Cox in giving some "reminiscences
of Mr.. Conkling in reply to question
sWere YOU present wben tbe contest occur
red hetween Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Conkliug
in the House p said Yes. 1t was the Thir
ty-ninth Congress was not member
hut vet happened TO be present. 1t was a
wild scene. 1t began with e little mat
ter about Provost Marshal General Frye. Il
was not great theme, but it aroused in
tense excitement, inasmuch as Mr.. Conkline
had insinuated some dishonesty against the
General. It was hot debate. The demo
- slaad alanf and nnsaryad It. not with.