The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-02
"a REMARKABLE WOMAN,
The brilliant Career of, Mrs. Kate
Chase spraguc Mingled 3gith Deep
Shadows in her Later day..


In noting the death OF Mn. Kate
Chase sprague. the Walhllston Star
says: No name could possibly be spo-
ken In this city among the older resi-
dents that would evoke the flood of
"reminiscences always accorded the
mention of Kate Chase. II revived an
te-bellum social and political history.
and has helped to adorn many q tale as
well as pointing their moral. No wo-
man as young ever held here the proml-
nent and controlling position as leader
which came 70 her as mistress OF her
fathers household, nor has the most
critical observer failed In according to
her q brillIancy all her own and a
queenshIp undisputed. When her faith
er became the governor OF Ohio. his
eldest daughter. became the prealding
mistress of the gubernatorial mansion,
as she was the conhdant Of ali the
hopes and fears of that loved parents
heart The greatest trust and conf
denee existed between them and the
charm and grace Of her manner was Of
inestlmable advantage to this dlstin-
guIshed man.
Her devotion to him in life was only
measured by her veneration for his
memory, which. all else being forgot
ten, lllumined the life which has closed
to-day. When thus brought so proni-
nently before the world. Kate Chase
was only sixteen years of age, and but
a few years older. when her father,
taking the treasury portfolio under
President Lincoln, again needed her
help as mistress Of his Washington
home. AT this time began the trlum-
phal socinl career with which her
name was associated for 50 long. Her
father built the residence sull standing
at sixth and E streets, notable in these
days for its spaclousness and the ele-
gance Of It's furnishings. and where so
many OF the events which helped to
make the history of that period took
place.
Here Kate Chase held court Of her
own and her reputation spread far and
wide as the most brilliant woman Of her
day, The popular verdict declared her
at the same time to be among the most
beautiful, but while opinion may have
differed on that point, there were few
dlssenters from the generally held be-
lief that none outshone her in grace Of
manner, nor the ability to attract and
to hold all her admirers, She had rare
personal magnetism, a faculty Of
drawing out the best traits in others
and while shining herself pre-eminent'
ly, she was able to keep about her the
most prominent leaders in politics, in
society or in fashionable life. She had
great success in arranging entertain
ments, and while the hospitality of her
day was on a much more simple scale
than that which obtains now hers was
marked by an originality which gave 1t
plouancy and flavor. Flatlered by ev-
eryone and loved by Enany-Kate
CHASSIS drawing om-i1nnected in
many varying moods, the-latent ex-
element then stirring hundreds Of
households in the early days OF the war.
The next chapter in the history Of
this notable woman was her marriage
to the then young and handsome gov
ernor Of Rhode Island, William H.
sprague. 1t was in this city they met,
and here also they were married. The
wedding march. especiaIly,wEtten for
the occasion, was rendered by the Ma
rine band. The ceremony and reception
were accompanied by such magnificent
details as had never before been wit
messed here. The social triumphs
achieved by the young gIrljwere In
creased by her dignity as a matron.
When Governor sprague became the
senator from his state. the wealth and
elegance Of their home here. with their
former prominence, aided by the intel
lect and beauty of his wife, he began a
new career, and seemingly full Of prom
Use.
This was, however, but comparative
" Of short duration, and washington
fans of this generation have found in
the name of Kate Chase sprague only
a memory Of a by-gone fame and of a
career Of which many years Of sadness
followed a few years of youthful e&-
element and pleasure.
Governor and Mrs. sprague were d.
vorccd many years ago. Mrs. Spraguc
assumed her maiden name. and was
since known as Mrs. Kate Chase.
The beautiful old homestead. deslgna-
ted Edgewood, was left to Mrs.
sprague by her father, and was valu-
able piece OF property. When Ecking-
ton was sub-divided the plan called for
an extension Of Fourth street north
east, so that the street ran directly
through the Edgewood grounds, That
portion west Of Fourth street was sold,
good price being realized. Shortly
thereafter. however, a mortgage was
placed on the remaining property for n
large sum. Additional funds were bor-
rowed from time to time. until the In
dcbtedness amounted to $4,000. This
state Of affairs. so her friends believe,
was brought about by Mrs. srrague's
lack OF knowledge of financial matters.
a number Of friends of Mrs.
sprasue's father, principally those re-
siding In New York. became Interested
In the matter and took steps TO aid the
daughter OF their old friend They
raised the mortgage Of $4,000 and ar
ranged to allow Mrs sprague $1,000 a