Evening star., 1899-07-31
MRS. KATE SPRAGUE
The Daughter of Ex-secretary Chase
Passes Away.
DIED AT EDGE WOOD TODAY
Her Brilliant Career as Leader of
Society.
WIFE OF GOVERNOR sPRAGUE

Mrs. Kate Chase Sprague died at ten
| minutes past 8 o'clock this morning at
| her historical homestead, Edgewood, just
| beyond lexington, this city Death was
| due to complication of liver and kidney
| troubles. The end was calm and peace
! full. With the dying woman during her
! last hours, in addition to the physicians,
were her three daughters, Miss Kittie
Sprague, who resided at Edgewood; Miss
Portia Sprague of Narragansett Pier and
Mrs. Donaldson of Brooklyn, N. Y.
The deceased was fifty-nine years of age.
She had been feeling badly for the past
three months, but did not call in a ply
sician until ten days ago, when she sent
| for DIR. c. A. Davis. To him Mrs. Sprague
first made known that she had not been in
good health for some time past. From her
symptoms Dr. Davis at once realized that
the condition of his patient was decidedly
serious She gradually grew worse, and
the attending physician summoned DR.. w.
F. Corey in consultation. Even the COM
bined efforts of the physicians, it was
found, could not cope successfully with
the complaint, and yesterday uraemic con-
vulsions developed. Mrs. Sprague rallied
from the attack, however, and the anX-
tous ones at the bedside felt somewhat
encouraged. Things took a change for
the worse, though, and, as stated, death
came early this morning.
On the advice of the physicians, Miss
Portia Sprague and Mrs. Donaldson Fri
directed to go to her at once, which they
did. arriving in time to have a farewell
word with her before her demise.
The Funeral Services.
Up to late hour this afternoon no ar
rangements for the funeral had been made
The remains are being prepared for burial
by Undertaken Speare, but nothing definite
can be determined by the family until to-
morrow. Ultimately, it is stated, the body
will be taken to Columbus Ohio, to be
placed beside that of Mrs. Sprague's father
inferred there. The present indecison is
due to the impossibility of saying until GER
tain inquiries are made whether the re-
mains shall be removed to Ohio now or be
placed in a vault here temporarily.
Brilliant Career
No name could possibly be spoken in
this city among the older residents that
would evoke the flood of reminiscence al
ways accorded the mention of Kate Chase.
1t revived ante-bellum social and political
history and has helped to adoEp many a
tale as well as pointing their Moral. No
woman as young ever held here the prom
lnent and controlling position as leader
winch came to her as mistress of her faith
ers household, nor has the most critical
observer failed in according to her a brill
nancy all her own and a queenship un-
olsputed. When her father became the
governor or Ohio he was widower and
nate Chase, his eldest daughter became
the presiding mistress of the gubernatorial
mansion as she was the confidant of all
the hopes and fears of that loved narent's
heart The greatest trust and confidence
existed between them, and the charm and
grace OF her manner was of inestimable
advantage to this distinguished man.
her devotion to him in life was only
Il;
ory, which, all else being forgotten illu-
mined the life which has closed TO-DAY.
Wnen thus brought so prominently before
the world, Kate Chase was only sixteen
years of age. and but a few years older,
When her father, taking the treasury port
louo under President Lincoln, again need
ed her help as mistress of his Washington
nome. AT this time began the triumphaI
social career with which her name was as
sociated for so long. Her father built the
residence still standing at 9th and z
streets, notable In those days for it's spa
c1ousness and the elegance of it's furnish
ings, and where so many Of the events
which helped to make the history of that
period took place.
Held Court.
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 dissenters from the
generally held belief that none outshone
Fer In grace of manner, nor the ability to
attract and to hold all her admirers She
had rare personal magnetism a facultv of
craving out the best traits in others and
while shining herself pre-eminently, she
was able to keep about her the most prom
lnent leaders in politics. in society or in
fashionable life. She had great success in
arranging entertainments urbi he
hospitality of her day was on a much more
simple scale than that which obtains now,
hers was marked by an originality which
gave it piquanCy and flavor Flattered bv
everyone and loved by many-Kate Chase's
drawing room reflected in many varying
moods, the latent excitement then stirring
hundreds of households in the early days
OF the war.
Her Marriage.
The next chapter in the history of this
notapie woman was her marriage to tho
then young and handsome governor of
Rhode Island, William H. Sprague 1t was
In this city they met and here also they
were married. The wedding march. espe-
cially written for the OCCASION was rem
dered by the Marine Band The ceremony
and reception We're accompanied by such
magnificent details as had never before
peen witnessed here. The social triumphs
achieved by the young girl were increased
Wy Hef ulBHlty as 1natrOn. When Gov
eornor Sprague became the senator from
his state. the wealth and elegance of their
nome here, with their former prominence,
aided by. the intellect and beauty of his
wlfe, he began a new career, and seeming
ly full Of promise.
This was, however, but comparatively of
snort duration, and Washingtonians of this
generation have found in the name of
Kate Chase Sprague only memory of a
by-gone fame and of a career of which
many years of sadness followed a few
years of youthful excitement and pleasure
Governor and Mrs. Sprague were di-
vorced many years ago. Mrs. Sprague as
sumed her maiden name and was since
known as Mrs. Kate Chase.
The Gid Homestead
The beautiful old homestead, designated
Edgewood, was left to Mrs. Sprague by her
father, and was valuable piece of proper-
ty. When lexington was subdivided the
plan called for an extension of 4th street
northeast, SO that the street ran directly
through the Edgewood grounds That por-
tfon west of 4th street was sold q goof5