Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-16
LAST CIVIL WAR GOVERNOR
William Sprague of Rhode Island
Dies in Paris.
Lost Millions in Financial Crash Of
IS73-Drovc senator Roscoe ConL.
ling from Ills Home at Point
Of shotgun.

Hon. William sprague famous war gov
ernor OF Rhode Island and twice United
States senator from that State. died
Saturday at his residence in paria
France He would have been 81 vears
old Sunday. and his death was due 10
meningitis together with the jnfirmit,es
Of age. Governor Sprague had lived in
Paris for several years. He became
critically III late In 1910 and his death
was then expected but he became much
better although he continued 10 bo n
semi-invald.
At his bedside when he died were his
wife and his old friends, Captain and
Mrs. Frank II. Mason. Simple funeral
services Will be held at the residence in
Paris. after which the body will be
brought to Rhode Island for burial.
Mr.. Sprague followed with deep inter
est the developments Of the E,rJpean
conflict. referring frequently to the cam
paiSns In which he took part in the
civil War. At the outbreak of hostiities
he converted his apartment in the Rue
de la Pompe Into a convalescent hos
pital for the wounded Of all nationau-
ties. He was assisted In the work by his
wife, who gave UP her dressing room
for use as hospital pharmacy
William Sprague was the last OF the
Civil War governors, as he outlived every
member OF Lincoln's cabinet, every chief
executive OF the States and nearly every
member Of Congress- of the war period.
He probably was the youngest man in
this country ever elected to the governor
ship Of State. When only % years old,
N hn rh
chief executive. serving three consecu-
tive terms OF one year each. In his
third campaign only 65 votes were cast
against him In the whole State.
Born at Cranston. r. l.. September 12
1890 he early inherited large fortune.
The Sprague family had been prominent
I'm the political. Industrial and social
life OF the state since the Revolution
Young sprague anticipated the Civil
War. and for two years prior to the out
break he maintained two full batteries
of artillery, at his own expense When
the war came Rhode Island and Sprague
We're ready to rush to the front. Tho
youthful governor. at the head of 5000
well-drilled troops. was one of the first
to reach Washington. He marched with
his volunteers to the battle OF Bull Run
ana later to the Peninsula.
Governor Sprague was the last survivor
Of the famous conference at Altoona.
Pa, in 1862 Of twelve governors to sign
an address Of encouragement to Presi-
dent Lincoln. The other governors were
Andrew OF Massachusetts,, curtin Of
Pennsylvania. Washburn Of Maine. Yates
OF Illinois. Solomon Of Wisconsin, Kirk
wood Of Iowa, Martin Of Indiana, Pier
pont Of West Virginia. Tod Of Ohio,
Berry Of New Hampshire and Blair of
Michigan. Governor Sprague since this
notable meeting frequently said of II:
I'VE had to take lot of abuse in re-
turn for our Endorsement Of Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation. We were
Kissed in the streets and were denounced
as traitors
At 80 yenrs Of age Mr.. Sprague en-
tered the United States Senate and serv-
ed during the administrations of Lincoln,
johnson and Brant He was following
closely In the footsteps OF his uncle, the
third William Sprague. who was gov
ernor OF Rhode Island in 1899 and United
States senator in 1872
Governor Sprague married the bcautl-
TN and brilliant Kate Chase, daughter
OF Lincoln's secretary OF the treasury.
who was later chief Justice OF the United
states Supreme court Lincoln. his
cabinet. congressman and foreign minst-
ers attended what was the most magni-
ficent wedding ever held in the national
Capital, UP to that time. 1t Is said to
have cost more than $4,000. The young
couple led brilliant social career In
Washington and Rhode Island. Spra que
erected a beautiful mansion at Nara
gansett Pier which cost sl,00OUD COM
plete. and was the show palace Of the
State. The furniture alone. all foreign
made. cost $4,000 More than $4,000
worth Of art objects filled the four-story
frame structure.
crash came in 1873 When the finnn-
cial panic swept the country the SIC. 90. =
000 business house OF the Spragues
which owned large print cloth factories
and numerous other enterprises. went
into bankruptcy. Lawsuits stripped the
governor OF his fortune. leaving him
only his country home. named Canon
Chef" after On Indian chief. Before he
had recovered from that blow another
fell. Mrs. Sprague became involved In
romance and sailed for jamaica
Senator Roscoe Conkling was driven
from the mansion at the point of a shot
gun In the hands of Sprague. Divorce
soon followed.
Later, "Canonchct" was sold over the
head Of the governor Frank d. Moul-
ton paid sG2, 25O for the 81, 900, 900 estate.
When he appeared to take possession,
he found "Canonchet' in state of siege
Governor Sprague. armed with his his
tortc shotgun and surrounded by his sup
portors. stood ready to repulse invasion.
The siege lasted for many weeks. until
the matter was taken into the courts
for settlement, When Moulton died, in
| 1856. his widow returned the mansion TO
the governor In consideration, II is said
! OF mortgage for s62LO Sprague I'm
dately moved In. bringing his second
wife, who was Mrs. Dora Inez (YeeD
Calvert OF West Virginia. The old place
was dear to the aged statesman Here
he had entertained such Americans as
President Garfield. Chief Justice Chase
Horace Greeley. General BENJAMIN r.
Butler and Samuel ]. Tilden. The last
blow fell when "Canonchet' was de-
stroyed by fire In 1863 Governor and
Mrs SpragNe barely escaped with their
| lives