The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-10

v1ve this disappointment He died IN lsI1
As she preferred advancing her fathers
| ambitions. Mrs. Chahse also preferred
living most Of these years in her father
magnificent Washington home, Edge
wood. There, even after her marriage
and until her fathers death, she was
mistress and was the recognized leader
of Washington society. There was no dis
putting her leadership. She could make
orunmake social aspirants with an invi-
tation or a snub.
Her drawing rooms at Edgewood came
nearer realizing the dream OF salon az
ter the Nine. de Stael model than
anything that has since been seen lin
the capital. In fact she has been referred
to as the Nine. de Stael of America.
| That wonderful French woman establish
ed a salon where mingled men of let
tiers. political intriguists. beautiful women
statesmen, men who played the most
parts in Europe's history. Similarly, Mrs.
Sprague's alon was the most popular
jlace in Washington. Public men aspir-
ing politicians, men of letters, foreign
dignitaries, fashionable women, all We'd
with one another for the favor Of the
woman's smile.
Edgewodd was few miles out from the
city, on a hill overlooking the capital.
An attempt was made to immitate the
landlord aristocracy of England in its
management. There was a head farmer
with a large force Of understrappers;
there was a lodge keeper, a butler. a
housekeeper, a governess. musical in
structor, hostler. stable boy, a head
-, f1,nv1 fnrfxy
persons.
Long after her fathers death, for years
after, she retired from active social life.
Kate Chase (she as alawys best known
by her maiden naIne) retained the friend
ship of the most influential citizens. Her
political judkment was always highly
valued by public men. One of the great
poitica secrets hich has eaked out Is that
the campaign against James G. Baine in
1884 was almost entirely planned in her
parlors at Edgeood, and that she as the
leading adviser She was often visited by
Chester A. Arthur, then president He
as eager to be nominated for a second
term, and often drove out to Edgewood
with his friedn, Senator Jones. Of Ne
vada, to consult Kate Chase as to the
best method of bringing about Blaine's
defeat.
The death Of her father precipitated
the seyperation between rms. Sprague
and her husband. She became more ex-
travagant in the expenditure Of her hus-
bands rapidly dissolving fortune. less re-
ticent about her domestic troubles. When
Bankruptcy started at him the ex-gover-
nor lost his political foothold. and then
his eaknesses manifested themselves. He
became dissipated, weak and the last
man In the world 20 cope with an iTnper-
ious woman His lot was discomfort;
hers contempt. g.,
Finally the husband requested that she
should name some friend in whom she
had confidence and in whom he might
also confide. who might act a stheir ar
bitrator. Mrs. Sptague suggested Roscoe
Conklng. Mr.. Sprague was dumbfounded.
Conking was his poitica as well as his
personal enemwy. Moreover II was the
senator's name which had been linked
with Mrs. Sprague's unpleasantly in the
gossip of the capital. Nevertheless, his
wife inslting, he consented to lay bare
all his private affairs to his enemy.
The sensational episode which was the
stunning blow to the New York senator's
political prestige occurred On August 10.
Canonchet unexpectedly, surprised Conk-
ling and his wife dining together. He
gave the senator half an hour ID leave
the house, under ain of death II he re-
fused. Mrs. Sprague insisted that her
husband was unjust and :Eat Cunk!ing
should stay, but the appearance little
lo4 ofH n Sh M fvgIn in
his hands caused the senator to beat an
insiorious retreat.
Mrs. Spra que eft Canoncnet IN Aug 81,
never to return. Divorce suits were!rsti-
tuted BY both husband and wife 1t WAS
not until 1852, that an an agreement was
reached and a decree OF divorce issued
Mrs. Sprague retained her three daugh-
ters, Ethel. Portia and KittIe, and he the
son, William.
Less than a year afterwards Mr.
Sprague married Inez Weed, young and
wealthy Virginia girl. In 1885 Willie
Sprague, still under twenty-one years OF
age, married Avis Weed his fathers
second wife's sister. aso under twentyone
That was an unfortunate match. They
were soon divorced and in 1890 Willie
having gone to Washington to live with
his mother.
Ex-Governor Sprague died about two
years ago.
Pending the divorce proceedings Mrs.
Sprague with her daughters lived in Paris
where she was easily the leader OF
American women. Even there she was
much sought by American statesmen
and her tact and knowledge proved in
valuable TO the United States Minister |
in France.
Mr.. Sprague's bankruptcy left little for |
Mrs. Chase (the name she assumed by !
decree OF the court ito live upon and |
she Inherited the incapacity Of her faith !
ere in the management OF financial az /
fairs. with the added handicap Of having 4
cnce had alomst unlimited wealth. Her 4
meakre menas dwindled away and she I
was forced 10 return to Washington TO I
live at Edgewood. which country seat had |
been eft her by her father. The house I
had gone TO decay. but there was SIN /
grandeur in Il. and amid tawrdy adii- |
tons might be seen the rarest F'lorentine |
furniture. dilapidated books and al the !
painful incongruities Of poverty following /
There were some forty 1
acres inthe estate and she turned her at |
tention to farming
But she could not manage. TIE prop |
erty mortgaged and IaottgaEed again.
Lakewood was in ISS5 put VI for sale /
on a foreclosure and would have passed I
forever away from Mrs. Chase had not 1
such men as William c. whitney. Cal !
win 8. Brice. J. p. Morgan, John Wan 4