The evening times., 1896-02-21
KATE CHASE AS A FARMER
Will Turn Edgewood Into a Truck
Farm and Raise Vegetables.
Woman Much Beset by Misfortune Is
Again on Her Feet and Deter
mined to Succeed

The payment of the mortgage that was
about To be foreclosed by the friends of
Kate Chase and her father, now puts a
woman much beset By misfortune on her
feet.
She proposes to turn her attention to truck
farming, and raise vegetable, chickens and
eggs to be sold in this city, where good Hy-
ing is one OF the principal recreations from
the affairs OF state.
Her present determination is in keep
ing with the high spirit and independence OF
Character that has always distinguished
Kate Chase. At least. every one may hope
that as market gardener the daughter Of
her father will restore the fortunes OF her
old home.
A certain historical glamour has always
surrounded Mrs. Kate Chase, as she prefers
to be called. A girl of l6 when her father
was governor of Ohio. she was mistress of
his house.
Her distinguished appearance, sparkling
wit. and turn for affairs, made her a fig
ure in the political world, of which her
father was 50 conspicuous figure.
When Mr.. Lincoln called Mr.. Chase to
Washington as Secretary of the Treasury,
Kate Chase. as all the country knew her,
easily led the official household of the
President.
Ex-Secretary McCulloch once, speaking
of the secret OF her social success, remarked:
1T is because when she is talking to you
you feel that you are the very. person she
wanted to meet. That she has forgotten
your existence the next moment Is an after
thought
Whom Ler an on oarr,ant tr, q aa,at a. s,,ra ouo
OF Rhode Island, was announced, lit had the
Importance of an alliance between high
contracting parties. Senator Sprague had
the prestige of a war governor, a military
man, the youngest member OF the Senate,
ard one Of the richest men in the country.
The wedding was one Of the events of a
time bristling with events. When their
first child was born it was regarded as a
national event, and a description of the
baby's wardrobe was read by every woman
in the country. When the baby began to
talk, its clever speeches were passed from
mouth to mouth. Three children were
born-a boy and two girls.
When rumors Of domestic trouble in the
Sprague family were first heard they Gre
ated sensation. The country was then
young to divorce and family troubles aired
in court. Senator Sprague's fortune was
swept away ill the panic that succeeded the
prosperity that followed the war. The diff
ficuity OF meeting bills did not tend to har-
monize the family drifting toward separa
ton.
After her divorce Mrs. Sprague retired to
Edgewood, the country home OF Chief JUS
tice Chase. Edgewood is not far from the
Soldiers Home. 1t was an estate bought in
1869 from Mr.. Thomas Magruder, and
the house on it was built by Mr.. Berry. 1t
isan nold-fashiOned place.
On the right Is the library of the Chief
Justice, opening into the dining room. once
a noble apartment, rich in memories OF
distinguished guests. On the other side
are double parlors in the old style, and
long. yine-wreathed gallery running across
the house.
Although Kate Chase retired from society,
she was still at Edgewood the center or
notable group. Roscoe Conkling was then a
frequent visitor. Phil Sheridan, President
Grant and Senator Sherman came to re-
vive old memories and discuss the affairs
of the day.
1t is said that at Edgewood the cam
paigu against Mr.. Blaine in 1884 was
planned. But those days OF great men are
gone. Mrs. Sprague has been living in re-
tirement, endeavoring by cultivatins the
land around Edgewood to combat the
financial ruin that for years has been
her.
Ethel Chase sprague. her oldest da1gh-
ter and second child, went on the stage,
and for some time was a member OF Rich
ard Mansfjeli's company. The second
daughter. who lis sa id to resemb BILE her mother
in looks and temperament, has been her
N others companion.