Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-09
WIN. SPRAGUE, JR.,
SON OF THE WELL-KNOWN RHODE
ISLAND SENATOR, SUICIDES
fouth-A Long Lis, of Marriages,
fiopements, Divorces. Tragedies.
By telegraph 70 tho pispa,ch. /,

SKATTLr, WASHINGTON. October 8.-Wil-
liam sprague. the grandson Of Salmon 7.
Chase and only son Of ex- Governor
Sprague. of Rhode island, committed sui
eide by inhaling chloroform yesterday.
Deceased came here from Chicago and Sc
cured employment with the Seat tie Jour
nai. Dependency caused suicide.
cADsrs SENSATION IN PROVIDENCE.
Especial telegram TO the Dispstcn.i
PROVIDENCE, X. J., October s.-The
startling news of the suicide Of William
Sprague, Jr.. the only heir TO the once
great manufacturing house Of the A. * W.
Sprague Company, caused sensation IN
this city to-day. Young Sprague from
early life has had most romantic and ex-
citing career. He was born in this city
and reared on the highest plane of luxury.
His father was Ex-Governor William
Sprague, the famous war Governor OF
Rhode Island, while his mother was the
beautiful and diplomatic Kate Chase. the
daughter Of one Of the Chief Justices OF
the United States Supreme Court.
HIS HABITS MOULDED.
His youth was thus passed in the highest
social circle and with plenty OF money at
his command. Even when IN his teens he
became an impulsive and an impetuous
youth. His habits were later moulded IN
the exciting times that made Canonchet
the fountain Of scandals. sensation, and ex-
element that lasted for long term OF
years. From the great fOur-storled man
sion in Orchard avenue in Providence
young Sprague. during the financial rup-
ture of the SpIague house. went TO the cas-
tie at Canonchet.
DEFENDING THE CASTLE.
r. -, 1frr nv
risOned against encroaching creditors. and
Trustee ChafIee and young Sprague be-
came prominent in the protection OF the
great estate. At all times at the most try-
ing moments the Chief-Justice's grandson
was at the elbow of his father, the ex-Goy-
ernor. and with rife in hand at the en-
trance to Canonchet he warned all TO keep
of.
CHASING THE SENATOR.
When the final row took place between
the late Senator Roscoe Cohklin and
Governor Sprague over the formers atten-
ton 10 Mrs. Sprague. II was his bov that
loaded a gun for himself and father and
coming on the Senator unawares, chased
him, half dressed and in his stocking-feet.
out of the house and across the fields. A
few days later young Sprague added 70
the general excitement by taking lying
shot at Hon. Robert W. Thompson. tho
lawyer who represented the Spragues
creditors.
DOZEN SHOT IT.
II was during these exciting times that
no less than a dozen distinguished citizens
Of the State were shot at indiscrimlnately
by the beleaguered Spragues or chased
with dogs over the estate. The finale of
this was the suit Cor divorce begun by Mrs.
Sprague. during which the boy was sent to
Texas to manage one Of his father
ranches. and while there led very Wild lie.
MARRIED A DIVORCED WIFE.
While away his father married Miss
Dora Inez Weed, the divorced wife OF
Frank Calvert, a Cincinnati commercial
traveller. Her father was a wealthy Viz
gilman and her mother Cuban. Miss
Weed was n woman of great beauty, and
when she welded Governor Sprague she
and her two pretty young sisters, Avis
and Juliet, came 10 live IN the old family
homestead. Some six wears ago young
Sprague came home. and falling IN love
with Avis Weed. eloped with her and went
to live in Washington. After two wears
he tired of her. and after sending her
back TO his fathers house he started out
roaming through the West.
DIVORCED AND MARRIED AGAIN.
His pretty wife at once got divorce and
married Colonel William W. wheaton,, a
friend of the Governors, and man old
enough TO be her father. Three months
ago the young sister eloped with q man the
Governor mad driven off the place. During
the past five years the son has been roam
ing through Mexico and the Southwest.
THE LAST SEEN or HIM.
Last summer he suddenly came home
full of a scheme he had TO attain wealth
out in Seattle, Washington. His father
supplied him money. and he started. This
was the last seen Of him. Ii Is supposed
the scheme failed and he took his life III q
ft of despondency. His father is pros
trated. The body will be brought East.