Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-08
Editor j. F. Sprague
Continued from PAGE One)

written on the back of an envelope
found in his coat pocket: II am all
alone, all alone. God knows and will
forgive. l must go out. Sorry to
leave so many old friends in Maine"
Those who met him during the
forenoon noticed nothing unusual.
He was seen as late as 11.30. About
the middle of the forenoon the jan
itor, Mel Warren, had occasion to
visit the office and while there Mr..
Sprague showed him the revolver and
asked him how to load 1t, which Mr..
Warren did. The body was found by
Reuben DebreauS whose family lives
in the Sprague house. DIR. Ralph
Marsh of Guilford. the coroner, was
called and pronounced it suicide.
The deceased was born in Brock
ways Mills. Sangerville, July, 1S4S.
son of Elgridge Gerrish Sprague and
Sarah Parsons Sprague. The only
near surviving relative is cousin,
Hon. Willis E. Parsons. Of Dover
Foxcroft.
Mr.. Sprague was largely self-edu-
Gated, the little red schoolhouse be-
ing the only school he ever attended.
He was admitted to the Piscataquis
County Bar in 1874, practising his
profession first at Abbott Village,
later at Monson, and in 1910 moving
to Dover where he has since had his
law office. He was deeply interested
in educational matters and was
member of the Board of Trustees OF
Monson Academy and one of the
stauchnest friends of Names acad-
emies. He possessed unusual inter-
est not only in presentday activities
but in historical matters. was the
founder and alone responsible for the
successful publication Of Sprague's
Journal Of Marie History. a publica-
ton that has contributed greatly to
information and interest respecting
the history of this State.
For years he was actively interes-
ed in the political affairs of his COM
munity apd State, in politics Repub-
an-Progressive 1912-1924. He
served in the Maine House in 1885
and 1S93 In the latter term he with
Llewellyn Powers and Hannibal e.
Hamlin, members of the Judiciary
Committee, made a minority report
favoring equal suffrage for women.
He was in the Senate in 1921. He
was referee in bankruptcy 1S9S-1920.
He became a prolific writer on his
toricai subjects and was the author
of Sebastian Rasle", "a Maine
Tragedy of the Eighteenth Century"
and other works. He ably edited his
Journal from it's inception.
His acquaintance with the public
men of this State was wide. over
period of nearly half a century. He
was social in his interests and made
many friends. He was a member
of the I. o. o. F., past noble grand
of Kineo Lodge and a member OF
Mosaic Lodge, F. & A. NJ. He was
Al. Ty,,{f rfov n
Compelled by circumstance to de-
pend on his own efforts from boy
hood, he possessed a spirit of self
reliance, which later in life, intimate
friends say, appeared to color his
views of death. Several years ago
he frankly told an acquaintance that
he was resolved never to become
helpless burden on others. All MS
life he had, by reason Of deformed
feet, been a cripple. 1t seems TO De
the general opinion among his friends
that he deliberately decided that ne
was becoming infirm and resolved 10
end his life. 1t does not appear, now
ever. that his acquaintance observ-
ed any marked change in his healtn
and within a few days of his death
he was planning to get the neSt
issue of the Journal off his hands
early In the quarter and so secure a
longer vacation than usual this sum-
mer and he spoke optimistically or
the success of his publication, the
last issue of which came out a few
days ago.
The funeral services will be held
Sunday afternoon at O'CLOCK at 1ne
CONGREGATIONAL church in Dover
Foxcroft and will be under the aus
pieces of the Odd Fellows.