The Red Cloud chief., 1899-08-04
A Chief Justices Daughter and a
Power in Washington.
SHE WAS QUEEN OF SOCIETY.
After Hsr Divorce From Rhode Islands
War G%ovsrnor, Mrs. sprsgus's For
tune wansd-Hsr Fathers Friends
Saved the Homestead for Her

Chase Sprague, wife Of a former gov
ernor Of Rhode Island, and the
daughter of the late Salmon p. Chase,
governor Of Ohio, secretary OF the
treasury and chief justice Of the
United States supreme court, died
at her homestead, "Edgewood," in
Washington's suburbs, early this
morning. She was SO years old.
For three months she had been i'll,
but had consented to medical treat
ment only ten days ago. She grew
steadily worse and the end came a few
minutes after three o'clock this morn.
ing. At the bedside were her three
daughters, Miss Kittie Sprague. who
lived with her mother; Miss Portia
Sprague of Narragansett Pier, and
Mrs. Donaldson Of Brooklyn.
The death ends a career Of *
tremes. Until her brilliant mar
riage with tho war governor of Rhode
Island, the daughter of the chief JUS
tice had had an universally happy life.
After that time she had little except
sorrow. Four years ago the old Chase
homestead, Edgewood, was saved from
passing from her only by the kindness
of the fathers friends. II was ex-
pected two months ago that the place
would go at auction.
Early in her childhood Katherine
Chase was left motherless. Her
beauty, rare intellectual abilities and
~endearing qualities made her the idol
of her distinguished father. When
he was in Washington as secretary Of
the treasury during the war, this
young daughter presided ' his es-
tablishment. The town house Of the
great war fnancier, on the corner of
Sixth and L streets. is to this day un-
iversally known as the Chase mansion
Tho cabinet In those days was not
very strong socially, and Kate Chase
ruled it absolutely. Mrs Lincoln was
simply swept into the corner when
this imperious young beauty appeared
leaning upon the arm Of the great
secretary. so strong was the desire
to make her father President, that 1t
Is often said she married Ex-Governor
Sprague of Rhode Island to carry out
this design. But she might we'll have
considered him n worthy match in
those days He was the youngest war
governor Of all the states. He was in
the United States Senate. He was
worth millions, and he could give her
Canonchet, which was then the most
superb home in this country, and he
was one of the handsomest men of the
age.
Mrs. Chase was IN many respects
one of the most remarkable women
ever known to Washington society.
In the days of her prime there was
no disputing her leadership. She
was actually the queen of society. No
child was ever born under more favor
able auspices than was Willie Spra.
que, eldest child Of this marriage.
Toe mother of Senator Sprague set
tied a large sum on the baby, but be-
fore he was old enough to understand
the full value of the great things to
which he was born they were slipping
away from him. Misfortune pursued
him and he committed suicide seven
or eight years ago In the far West,
poor and among strangers.
AS long as Chief Justice Chase lived
his brilliant daughter continued to be
u power in Washington, socially and
politically. The failure of the Repub-
lican party to nominate Salmon p.
Chase for the Presidency gave the
death blow to the ambitious hopes Of
his brilliant daughter. 1t Is said also
that this disappointment seriously af
fected the health of the chief justice
However this may be, Katherin,
Chase Sprague was never the same IN
the world Of Washington after hel
fathers death. The troubles between
Governor Sprague and herself becam,
matter Of public gossip, in which tn
name OF Roscoe Conkling figured ex
tensively.
When bankruptcy came, ex-Gov
ernor Sprague Lost at nce his polit
: ical Importance, which was purel,
. fortuitous and depended entirely o.
; his former great fortune. With los
OF fortune and position, the weakness
, OF the man showed itself. He becam
! dissipated. idle, slouchy in dress, tn
last creature in the world to hold
= brilliant and imperial woman Xix
' the spoiled daughter of the great sec
rotary of the treasury. His discor
tent and her contempt eliminated
a divorce. He married DOT after
woman of inferior position.
% Mrs. ~sprague's fight for Canonch'
with her three little daughters Is "
talked Of in the neighborhood. tt
o three daughters, Ethel, Kate and Pc
tia, went with the mother, while Il
y son. Willie, remained with his fathe
" To Mrs. Sprague was given authori'
to resume her maiden name OF Chas