The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-24

Sproul was not widely known here,
He gained his first recognition year
ago when he put on the market THE
Prosy Romance" published by Crane
& Co. The book was full of local
color and contained many peppery,
sarcastic paragraphs. Somehow IL
didn't meet with the reception at the
Dook stores that Sproul had hoped and
the comparatively small sale of the
book weighed heavily on the authors
mind.
Probably not to exceed one-half of
the edition was sold. The receipts
were not heavy and the financial end
was not satisfactory to Sproul. His
book seemed to gain favor where It
found a reader, but THE Prosy Ro-
nance" never came in at the weeks
end as one of the best sellers. Sproul
had loaded down the pages of his book
with terse, biting remarks on current
events in the nation and more espe-
cially in Kansas and in Topeka.
1t seemed to give Sproul especial de-
light to rap the clergy, theology and
what the writer chose to term fake
divinity" Then he turned his atten-
ton to the legislature, the governor,
the attorney general, local officials,
the Topeka newspapers and scattered
references to national affairs. But
somehow the public was not hunger
ing for these homeopathic doses that
Sproul sprinkled through the pages of
his book. The realization that his ef-
forts had not created the expected ex-
citement. gave the man deep concern.
He seldom discussed the sale of his
book with friends and it is stated that
the matter was tender subject in
Sprouts mind.
Much of the time sproul lived a
quiet life. He was never married and
much of the time since coming to To-
peka lived at 311 East Eighth avenue
More than a year ago, Sproul was in
jured in a windmill accident. The
injury affected his mind and for a
time he was confined in the Topeka
hospital. 1t is claimed that IL was
while he was in the hospital that he
wrote the opening chapters of HIS
book
In recent months. Sprouts contrfbu-
tions had found their way to the col
umns of several well known magazines.
favorable. but the mans efforts
brought limited financial reward Many
Topekans said kind things about
Sprouts Prosy Romance. among whom
were Attorney General Dawson. Samuel
J. Crawford, A. K. Rodgers. James L
King, Thos. McNeal and jay F. House.
Still the sales did not multiply
When He Went Away.
Only two days before he went to Ffm
City, Sproul was elected as a rneubar
of the Kansas Authors club. SprouI
visited Senator Morehouse the dav ho
left Topeka and left a copy of his book
for the club library.
Il don't think / will be back for the
May meeting Sproul said ssT NAV be
gone several weeks, or several months
maybe longer
Nothing was heard from the man nm
til the press dispatches last night car
ried the news of his suicide. A few
weeks ago Sproul figured in the nd
dlers' contest" He Will be recalled
as a tall, muscular man with a stubby
beard, who wore heavy leather boots
and put over his back and wing
dance with an agility that made the
crowd gasp. When the prizes were
distributed and Sproul did not receive
the highest award. he su1ked and did
not hide his disappointment from the
Judges. That was the last time that
the man bid for public favor.
Among the pages Of the Prosy Ro-
nance, are many terse paragraphs. a
few Of which are printed below ana
were taken at random from the pages
of the book Persons who knew SprouI
personally declare that the teachings
of his book reflected his life and teach
ings in a most striking manner.
"If any low lived criminal should
shoot our governor, there are a host
of pastors who would claim that II
was the will of God, divine providence.
being fulfilled"
.sThe Salvation Army mix their
prayers so much with tambourine
racket and vagrancy. that God does
not have a fair show to keep himself
attenuated enough to serve the places
in 1uxtaposition.
Speaking of the Kansas legislator.
Sproul said:
..If he paid less attention to patel
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