Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-10-22
KATE CHASE'S BOY.
Some Sad Scenes at the Sui
cide's Funeral.
CRUEL AND BRUTAL DEPRIVATION

The Broken-Hearted Mother Not Per
mitted tn See the Face of Her Dead
Son Nor to Go Near His Body-Ex-
Ivernor Sprague's Hard-Heartedness
The Old Cnnonchet Servants Show
Their Love for Their One-Time Mis-
tress.
NARRAGANsETr~PIER. r. l., Oct. 22-
The funeral of Willie Sprsgue. who COM
mitted suicide at Seattle. took place here
yesterday. and was attended by some very
sad scenes The affair seemed 70 be looked
upon in the light of a public ceremony
and Pc ople from all over the state-from
the millionaire manufacturer down to the
humble mill hand-who had at some time
been In the service of the Spragues, came
pouring into the town The trains Mon.
day night and early yesterday morning
were crowded, and every unoccppied room
taken that could be procured. Many Of
the old family friends seemed inclined to
take the opportunity offered and make
some demonstration for Kate Chase and
her daughter, but she declined sesing any
one .E-s
The Mothers Offering
The services took place from st. Peters
Episcopal church, which was damned
with spectators. Rector Ackley offlciated.
The remains were incased in a handsome
solid rosewood coffin, which was buried
in flowers. the largest and most magnifi-
cent Offering being from Mrs. Chase with
the words on card From Devoted
Mnf hal nj lar
sat on one side of the church and Gov
ernor Sprague and his wife and their
party opposite, both attracting great at
tention. From the first it was seen that
Mrs. Chaee was greatly overcome, and it
was soon noised abroad that she had tried
TO have u look at her dead son while he
lay in the Sprague mansion, but shh was
warned to keep away.
sprague's UnmanIy Cruelty.
Her lawyer got the promise that the
coffin would be uncovered in the church,
but when the undertaken went to re-
move the lid Governor Sprague sent him
a message to desist. BY this time Mrs.
Chase had risen in her pew and WAS on
the point of starting up the aisle when
she saw The action. She at once started
forward with half-suppressed cry, as if
to rush to the casket, when she was
caught by her daughter and friends and
held back. With loud cry she sank
into the pew. sobbing HISTORICALLY. The
people were thrown into confusion The
governor sat in his seat, his face auerted
and covered by his black hat, while his
wife tried TO divert his attention on the
other side.
An Affecting Incident.
Despite the occasion numbers of people
left their seats and pressed around the
pew of Mrs Chase. Many of them were
old friends and former servants of the
Spragues. All attempts to keep them out
of the pew were unavailing, aud they
crowded about their old beloved mistress,
many crying aloud. Mrs. Chase was en-
tirely overcome, and catching each one of
the old female servants kissed them re-
peatedly, while they seized her hands,
dress, and anything they could take hold
of, pressing it to their lips. Mr. Ackley
to put AN end to what promised to be q
hysterical panic, hurried through the SER
vices.
Another Insult to the Mother.
Seeing the pall-bearers about to move
the casket Mrs. Chase started to take her
place near the coffin, the crowd giving
Governor Sprague and his party crowded
forward aud took up the post of honor.
Mrs Spragne made no further attempt to
get near her dead boys body. but sank
back in the pew and gave herself up TO
grief Her daughters remained with her,
aud so did most of those present in the
church, all trying to offer their sympa-
thies and consolation.
The Fx-GoyerDor Shouid FssI propd
The body was taken to the family vault
at Swan Point and inferred. When
she could compose herself Mrs. Chase de-
clared she would not leave the place un-
til she compelled her enemies to let her
look on her sons face, and it was with the
greatest difficulty that she could be dis
susded. She and her daughter did not go
near the tomb after that, but took the
afternoon train for Providence. The great
est sympathy is expressed on all sides for