Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-09
WILLIE SPRAGUE'S CAREER.
End Of Life That Opened With the
Brightest Promise.

A dispatch to THE STAR from Seattle, WASH,
today says: The body of William Sprague, who
committed suicide by taking chiorform Tues
day, lies at the morgue. A dispatch was re-
ceived from his father, ex-Gov. Sprague of
Rhode Island, now at Narragansett Pier which
simply said: Thanks. Will wire you later /"
a dispatch from his mother, who is at Edge
wood near Washington DC, said: "Embalm
the body and then prepare it in the best pos
sible manner for shipment and draw on his
father for expenses"
willie" Sprague, whose death by his own
hand in Seattle was announced in yesterday 3
STAR, went to that city about two weeks ago to
take charge of the engraving department of
the Jo!,'EaL He remained at his work until
last Friday night, after which time he did not
again appear at the Office. His continued alb
sence led to one of the staff of the paper, cali
ing on Tuesday afternoon at his boarding
house to make inquiries. He was told that
Sprague was in his room and had been COM
planning the night before of feeling sick. Upon
going to Sprague's room the caller found the
door locked. 1t was forced open, and the boys
body was found upon the bed. There was no
room for doubt that he had committed suicide
for the Preparations had evidently been most
deliberate. His head was completely enveloped
III pillow case and half filled bottle of chloro-
form was on the floor beside the bed. He had
saturated the cloth with chloroform. placed a
patch OF newspaper over that and then tied the
pillow case around his head He had been dead
about twenty hours when found. He left a
letter OF incoherent sentences, which gave rise
to the belief that he was temporarily insane.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
William Sprague, jr.. was the eldest child and
only son of ex-Gov. Sprague. He was born at
Canonchet. RI, about twenty-five years ago.
and his earlier years were made bright by all
that the great wealth his father then enjoyed
could afford Willie was ut one time a student
a. heidelberg, and there proved himself dill
gent and apt scholar. He was interested in
mechanical and scientific studies, and on his
return TO America became a useful assistant to
his rather In the Aquidneck mills. Perhaps
his fathers business reverses and the unhappy
breaking up of the family by the divorce of
Gov. SpraSue from his first wife tended to de-
velop a restless disposition. Willie had the
reputation Of being inclined to wildness, and
during his youth was engaged III many pranks.
SECRET MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.
After his divorce Ex-Governor Sprague mar
ried Mrs. Dora Inez Calvert, at Stanton, WA,
March 8, 1853. The two made their home at
Canonchet. the lady having with her there
younger sister. Miss Avis Weed Then fol-
lowed the secret marriage OF Willie to this
young lady. The ceremony took place in New
York city July 70, 1885. But the marriage
proved an unhappy one. Divorce separated
the young pair after two years of married life,
and Willie went to New York to engage in
newspaper work. He was quite familiar with
electricity and used his knowledge to advantage
in his new work. year later he came to Wash
ington, finding home with his mother at her
Edgewood residence. He obtained employment
in the Treasury Department. His next move was
to Seattle, whittier he went in May iast His
aim to establish there an illustrated paper.
In personal appearance young Sprague was a
fine. manly looking feilow-tall, rather slight
in figure and with dark complexion.