New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-12
CANONCHET DESTROYED
EX-GOV. SPRAGUEIS PERIL.
aged Var Governor Carried from
Burning MiLHOn-DoUar Home.

| Narragansett Pier. R. l.. Oct u.-Rhode Islands
| aged war Governor, William Sprague was led
| from his famous home, Canonchet. early to-day
and with his wife turned to OF the finest
private houses in the state and the home on
| which he had lavished hundreds OF thousands of
dollars destroyed by fire
The Ex-Governor almQSt gave up his life in
effort to save some valuable personal property
conscious by the family coachman. who carried
him out OF the building
II is thought that spark from the chimney
falling on the roof started the FIRE.
Before leaving the burning house the first time
Mr.. Sprsgue telephoned for the local fire depart
ment but when the fremen arrived they found
themselves powerless to cope with the flames.
Help was called from the neighboring town OF
Peacedale, and the miniature engine Of that little
town was towed five miles the road by
automobile which pressed into service. The
flames had gained such Roadway the huge
frame structure that the concerted efforts of the
frenen proved OF little avail in checking the prog
of the blaze
Servants and neighbors dragged out few pieces
OF valuable furniture and household goods before
the flames reached the lover floor. but little was
saved. and after the fire the Ex-Governor said that
his loss represented at least 100000
The homestead was built OF wood many years
ago. and was four stories in height. Mr.. sprasue
had filed the house with the choicest specimens Of
antique furniture. valuable hangings. rugs and
paintings Canonchet was one of the show places
of the state and. occupying prominent position
not far from the bay, it had been an object OF in
terest for nearly half century.
Former Governor Sprague figures his loss as fol-
lows: The house cost $4,000 build. the furniture
the greater part of which was made 10 order
abroad and imported. cost S2500O0 and the oil
paintings including examples of Corot. Michael
Angelo and other masters, were valued at $4,000
IN addition TO these there was large oil portrait
of the war Governor by a well known Swiss artist.
done soon after the Civil War. which was To have
been given the state upon his death There
we're also large collections Of Civil War relics In
Guiding important documents Of historical value
Canonchet lay a mile north Of Narragansett Pier.
in the midst of an estate OF some three hundred
and fifty acres. It orchard EMPOWERED
chateau. reached by a winding drive. and bore the
name OF a noted chief OF the Narragansetts. The
estate vas originally the home of Governor At
wood Robinson. and embraced from 1000 to 1000
acres-it plantation. in fact. in Rhode ISL
and's slaveholding days An old graveyard be-
longing the Robinson family lies near the house.
Governor Sprague bought the old mansion
ganbrel rooted farmhouse. spacious for Colonial
days and 200 acres of land to which another $50
mostly salt marsh. were subsequently added at
of IS 900 and the first Mrs. Sprague
blanche to remodel and rebuild stipulating only
that the original dwelling, with it's low, studded
walls should remain for it's historic associations
said that the bills presented for il 10 the firm
OF which Mr.. Sprague was chief member we're
nearly or quite $4,000, and the building then
was not finished It a light brown frame
mansion. trimmed with a darker shade Of brown.
with many angles and turrets and verandas. the
limit of the original house being outlined a
careful observer. but surmounted and surrounded
and almost bewilderngly lost in a labyrinth OF
stately architectural fancies
The central idea OF the house was its elaborate
spiral oaken stairway. with carved balustrades
reaching from the rountda the ground floor
the top OF the main tower This is estimated to
have cost $4,000. and was done by expert Italian
carvers. The two communicating parlors
beautifully ornate. An elaborate mantelpece from
the Tuieries feature OF one OF these rooms.
The speciality OF the house its suites OF apart
ments suited 20 the entertaining Of many guests.
parIor, bedroom and bathroom in each suite The
largest OF these called the Chase suite. being
designed for the late Chief Justice and danty
finished and furnished for him IN gray and blue,
though he occupied II only once
The walls OF the octagonal music room
cred with silk. hand painted and embroidered
tapestries The furniture most luxurious. An
old Venetian armore Of massive beauty and other
articles match stood IN apartment. The
house contained in all about sixty rooms including
the bathrooms. which were large and sumptuous.
There were beautiful carvings of walnut oak and
other native woods all the house. and even
the sink in the kitchen OF variegated red
marble
There were two large ornamental ponds. covering
an area Of about acres. front the man
sion, and stretch OF over Ave thousand feet OF
fine beach private TO the estate.