Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-11
Editorial Comment
John r. sprasue's Death
Lewiston JournaN

II was not John F. Sprague him
self that chose to solve the mystery
of death, Friday at his home in
Dover Foxcroft, but his poor, Grip
pled. pain w'racked body, driving him
to find the only relief that seemed
to be at hand.
We are indeed threeA in one
body. mind. spirit. The body failed;
always had failed in his case. A
crippled child; a helpless pair of
legs and feet; tied at last almost to
his chair; but mind as free as the
air; and spirit like the fight of the
eagle.
The shock of John F. Sprague's
death to the writer is inexpressible.
What shall we do without the occas-
ional visit; the frequent long chats
in the Augusta House; the long and
semi humorous and always inspiring
chats on various topics-our favor
lite being the Partriarchs and Proph-
cts of Mr.. Sprague's favorite book
the Old Bible.
We are not surprised at his end
ing. He has discussed this way out,
many a time. He has asked If IT
were wrong when the body was
clog, the mind eager: the spirit aspir-
ing, to part their company and set
the imprisoned free; for he had
Great Faith. Tiled like Promethe-
us to the rock am l." said he. THE
very vultures are gnawing at me-"
Aged, alone, weary, ever in pain.
looking forward only to the helpless
end: yet we. shall miss him.
What a brave life. A poverty
stricken youth; crippled; uneducated.
Parents, Miller;tes; he himself born
in that period when the Millerites
were waiting Gabriels trumpet; par
ents careless both of worlds goods
or of education of children, because
whats the use," they were to be
snatched to Heaven on cloud!
When Millerism busted, as Faith.
and the dupes of this creed, returned
to their rocky acres, the lad set his
face determinedly against all creed
and looked only to God, eternal, and
to John f. Sprague. He studied
books on a peddle cart and became
a lawyer by the grace Of hard work.
His career was distinguished. He
attained high honors. He made
himself a Statewide figure. He be-
came cultured, learned man; an
authority on Maine History; attained
a comfortable competency; was call
ed Uncle John"
HIS IldlItS ofSiC OOiA NofhS
from the Lewiston Journal and a
"Just Talk" written in this paper
and published in the Timer Man." a !
book of sketches of eminent Maine
He said 1t elected him
to his last term in the Maine Senate.
His "Sprague's Journal of Maine
is an institution. He. him
self made it; no one can ever give
Il the same touch; the same Toying
care and the same exquisite person
atty. He was gentle; sweet; thought
full; childlike: tender. He was hon
est as the day. He had noble
head-wiry, white hair, fine features:
winsome smile. His eyes twinkled
with fun. He hunted books as
hound hunts the fox. His habitat
was a library-nook. /.
We wish-how we wish-that I'm :
Gle John had stuck it out. But pain !
made him often almost demented /
His inferiority-complex, induced by
his crippled condition made him oft
He has hurried along.
The good God that ni3ue him awry.
that left him with the mind and
spirit of an adventurer and yet tied
him to the Rock, will surely recon-
pense Uncle John, for a life Of ex-
quisite suffering beyond that which !
mortal man should undergo and will
reward him also for a life of high
brave success: accom-
plishment under difficulties that
would have kept many a smaller man
in some country aims house instead
of in the councils of the State, In
the Law Courts as a practicing at
torney; 10 the photography of Maine,
as author, creator and preserver of
the History of Maine.
CLEANS
The new era's Two Great Com