11? HIS TO 15 -2"

OF THE

if a/ Sprague Families,

OF RHODE ISLAND, it 4 dottoii >rar\uf a^tui'ei'^C^Cklido frinters' #1 1 FROM WILLIAM I. TO WILLIAM IV. I^mi

With an Account of the Murder of the Late rtmasa Sprague, Father of Hon. Wm. Sprague, ex-If. k S. Senator from Rhode Island. m 4m BY BENJAMIN KNIGHT, m W\ SANTA t'ltrZ: II. COFFIN, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. mx 1881. 111 MAP^i JtLii _JL ' „ ,JL- 4^, v. ""u^L^uJuSSkiiit ^p-nijii: JigjjOL Jipc JiyirJi|(j|i[ njit mp nyprjij|ir jqpi ig« jyt %« J%K JJJII jjjfi jpii jqyjn jfp jqjnqjpi jyrjgi J"4Jnu!| Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, By BENJAMIN KNIGHT, Sa., In the Offioe of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE. The Early History of William Spragne I., and Hie Sons, Peter and Abner Sprague 3 CHAPTER II.

The History of William Sprague II.—Hie Business Tact, Enterprise ana Energy 4 CHAPTER III.

Commencement of Calico Printing at the Cranston or Sprague Print Works by Wm. Sprague II.—His Business Habits, Personal Appearance, and Po­ litical Transactions, together with the Cause of his Heath, etc... ., 13 . CHAPTER IV.

History of Amasa Sprague, Oldest Son of Wm. Sprague-II... 17 CHAPTER V.

History of Wm. Spragne III., Second Son of Wm. Sprague II 21 CHAPTER VI.

The Business Energy and Perseverance of Wm. Sprague III 30 CHAPTER VII.

History of Col. Byron Sprague, Only Son of Wm. Sprague III 33 CHAPTER VIII.

History of Amasa Sprague II., Oldest Son of the Late Amasa Sprague, aud 3rother of ex-Senator Wm. Spragne IV ,... 37 11 COIN TENTS. CHAPTER IX.

William Sprague IV--His Birth and E rly Education - His Businers Train­ ing by his Uncle, William III—The Formation of the New Firm of A. United States Senate- He goes to Washington with the Rhode Island Troops, and takes an Active Part in the First Battle of Bull Run with the same Troops, having His Horse Shot from Under Him—He Assists in the Recovery of the Remains of Col. Slocnm, Major Ballon and Capt. Tower from '/he Battle-fleld, and Restores Tbem to Their Friends 39 HISTOET

Sprague Families,

OF RHODE ISLAND, dotton, JVtk^ufkdttu'ei'^Ci^lido f^ter^

FROM WILLIAM I. TO WILLIAM IV.,

With an tf.ccou.nt of the Murder of the Late tfmasa Sprague, Father of Hon. Wm. Sprague, ex-lf. S. Senator from Rhode Island.

BY BENJAMIN KNIGHT, SB.

SANTA CRUZ: H. Coprm, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER 1881.

HISTOBT OIF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY,

O^1 RHODE XSX-ufc-ltfVD.

CHAPTER I.

The Early History of William Sprague I., and His Sons, Peter and Abner Sprague.

The early history of William Sprague I. is "but little known. His time was mostly "before the Revolution. He was a well-to-do farmer in the town of Cranston, adjoining the town (now city) of Providence, R. I. His residence was about three and a half miles southwest of Weighboset bridge, (the center of the town of Providence,) on the- P^ocasset river, which unites with the Pawtuxet river. The Pocasset river ran through a part of his farm, upon which he had a saw-mill and: grist­ mill, near the spot where now stands the Cranston or Sprague print works. In connection with his farm he had a large tract of wood land, in the 4 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. • west part of the town of Cranston. When Wil­ liam Sprague I. died he left a widow, without children, and three sons by a former wife, whose names were as follows: Peter, Abner and Wil­ liam Sprague II. Peter and Abner Sprague were farmers, but little known beyond their town or neighborhood. Peter Sprague occupied his farm a short distance southwest of Mashapaug pond*, in Cranston, and about one and a quarter miles east of the present print works. He never rose to any distinction above his fellow townsmen, polit­ ically or otherwise. He was but a plain farmer. There is nothing very definitely known concern­ ing him or his family. When he died he left no children that became of public note. Abner Sprague owned a farm about three-fourths of a mile west of the print works, where he pur­ sued the life of a farmer for many years. At his death he left one son and two daughters. His son never made any noise in the world, politically or otherwise.

CHAPTER II.

The History of William Sprague II.—His Business Tact, Enterprise and Energy.

William Sprague- II. was born in Cranston, Providence county, State of Rhode Island, June 5th, 1773, and subsequently became extensively

*M<*q>inTi(mrr pruirl is now in the Oth Wnrd of the Citv of Provider-fe. HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 0

known for his business tact, enterprise and energy. Soon after the settlement of his father's estate, he married Miss Anna Potter, of Cranston, the daughter of a farmer. Mrs. Sprague was the senior of her husband ten years, and assisted him greatly in vhe accumulation of their property. She took upon herself all the domestic cares of a numerous household, and with the assistance of Aunt Pa­ tience, (as she was called by the laborers,) the step mother of her husband, and a few neighbor­ ing girls, the work of the house was kept in excellent order. Mrs. Sprague had no waiting maids to wait upon her. If she took a seat for a few moments, it would be to take care of one of her children, or "boss" the girls about house in regard to their work. William II had a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, whose names were as follows: Susanna, Amasa William, Almira and Benoni, all of whom, except Benoni, took an active part in the accumulation of property. When William II commenced busi­ ness, the town (now city) of Providence Avas a place of eight or ten thousand inhabitants. The principal merchants of Providence at this time were Brown

Susanna, who reeled the yarn that her brothers carded and spun, his business began to move foward, to the astonishment of his neighbors, and business men, and all those commencing' or ex­ perimenting in spinning cotton yarn. A year or two previous to the burning of his little cotton-mill, a young man by the name of Obadiah Mathewson,from Vermont, was employed by William II as clerk and general book-keeper, who gave good satisfaction to his employer, and subsequently married Miss Susanna Sprague, the eldest daughter of his employer. Soon after their marriage William II sent his son-in-law, Mathew - son, and his wife to Baltimore, and there Mathew- . . . i son established a commission house, where his father-in-law and merchants in Providence con­ signed their goods. A few years after Mathewson was established in Baltimore, Amasa Sprague was sent by his father to the village of Poquonnoc, situated in the town of Groton, Connecticut, where he opened a store and put out his cotton yarn to be woven in the families of the neighborhood. Mr. Amasa Sprague, then a young man, was highly esteemed by the people of Poquonnoc, for his social qualities and business talents. In this village he became acquainted with and married Miss Fanny Morgan, daughter of Mr. Youngs Morgan, an honest and industrious shoemaker of the village. Mr. Sprague pursued, his business at Poquonnoc until called home to Cranston to attend to the increasing business of his father, where he always resided until murdered by John Gordon. 10 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY.

Mr. Mathewson remained in Baltimore until he died, April 7th, 1822, aged 29 years. He left a widow and four children, whose names were as follows: George, Amy, Ann, Brockholst, and Rollin. He left his children property to the amount of about thirteen thousand dollars. Wil­ liam II went to Baltimore to accompany his daughter, Mrs. Mathewson, home. They went on shipboard, there being no steamboats or railroads, and hardly a line of stages between Providence and Baltimore at that time. Mrs. Mathewson was soon married again to Mr. Jeremiah Carpenter. Her children lived with their grandfather Sprague during their minority. Mrs. Carpenter died August 27th, 1824, soon after her second marriage at the early age of 27 years 10 months and 5 days, and her remains were interred in the family ceme­ tery, in Cranston. In 1821, William II purchased one-half of the waterpower at Natic Falls, in Kent county, R. I. The other half of the waterpower belonged to Messrs. Christopher and William Rhodes, and was called the upper privilege, on which they had a cottonmill containing 30 looms. In 1826 they built a stone mill,~100 feet long by 44 feet wide and four stories high. This firm owned half of the village until December 17, 1852, a term of forty-five years, when they sold their portion of the watwpower and village to A. & W. Sprague for the sum of $55,000. As soon as William II purchased the Natic estate, in 1821, he built one cotton mill, in which he put 42 looms, and another HISTOTST OF THE gVBAOlTX FAMILT. II building for carding and spinning. In 1822 he built another stone mill, No 2, in which he placed 70 looms. In 1826 he built another stone mill, No 3, 120 feet long, 44 feet wide, and four stories high, in which he placed 96 looms. In 1830 he built No 4, a brick mill, 129 feet long,. 48 feet wide and four stories high, with 116 looms. In'1835 he built another brick mill, 116- feet long, 48 feet wide, with 220 looms.. He built tenement houses and other buildings as they were needed for the use of the operatives.. His second son, William III, had all the over­ sight of the business at Natic, assisted by his brother-in-law, Emanuel Race. William II was assisted by his oldest son, Amasa, who superin­ tended the cotton mill and other works at Cran- sten, by purchasing materials of all kinds for the manufacture of cotton goods and calico prints;: also purchasing cattle, horses, farming utensils, etc., and disposing of the goods manufactured. William II was a. hard working man, and he never wore clothes, too good to wear rolling logs on to the carriage of his saw-mill,, or to lift a bag; of cotton waste on to a wagon; and nothing dis­ pleased him more than to see one of his hired mem afraid of soiling his cloth.es.. 12 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAKILT.

CHAPTER III.

Commencement of Calico Printing at the Cransfmi or Spragne Print Works 'by •William Spragne 11.—His Bnsiness Habits, Personal Appearance, and Politi­ cal Transactions, Together with the Cause of His Death, etc. William II commenced bleaching cloth and printing calico m the year 1824, at his print works in Cranston. Mr. John Day, of Greenville, R. I., (who is still living [1881], aged 87 years,) made the patterns for the first printing machine that was used at the Cranston print works. The machine could print but two colors, additional colors being printed by hand with blocks, which was called block-printing; but improvements in printing machines now enable them to print twelve colors on one machine, thereby abolishing block printing altogether. William H was considered an honest, upright and fair-dealing man. There was no sly, under­ handed, double-dealing or mean trait in his charac­ ter. He was very prompt in all of his engagements or appointments to meet a person at any particu­ lar time or place. His word was always good, and he was considered by all with whom he dealt to be the last man to utter a falsehood in business matters. He was always prompt in his payments. To those he employed as laborers or otherwise, he used no such words as "call again." He would say to the men, "walk up and get your money," with as much anxiety as he would wish them to do a HISTORY Of THE SPRA&UE FAMILY. 13 good days work. Perhaps it would be interesting to some to know the personal appearance and every day habits of William Sprague II, the founder of the-Cranston or Sprague print works. He was a Very stout built man, perhaps five feet ten inches high, light complexion, dark eyes, dark brown hair> and weighed nearly two hundred pounds, plain and easy in his manner, but firm in speech, had a very pleasant expression of countenance, but was hardly ever seen to smile; his mind seemed wholly occupied in his business. In his dress he was very plain. A person not acquainted with him would suppose him to be an ordinary farmer* No loud or boisterous talk by him to attact atten' tion, but in quiet pursuit of his own business he passed along* When a young man he was consid*- ered the smartest wrestler in his town. The young men of that time would frequently meet for the purpose of wrestling, and William II was gener­ ally the victor. He Was never quarrelsome on such occasions. In politics he was very moderate^ generally satisfied with any good man to represent the town, or hold any State office, until the alleged abduction of William Morgan by the Free Masons, in the State of New York. Then he became a violent anti-Mason, and he did all he could to overthrow the Masonic Order in Rhode Island. In the year 1832, February 23d, was placed before the freemen of Rhode Island the following anti- Masonic prox, or ticket: For Governor, William Sprague, of Cranston; for Lieutenant-Governor, Augustus Peckham, of Newport. Senators—Jer- l4 HIST0R1T OF THE SPRAGUE PAMILTV emiah Smith, of Smithiield; Joshua Bicknell, of Barrington; William Brown, of North Kingston; Peleg Almy, of Portsmouth;, Israel Manchester, ©f Scituate; Robert F- Noy«s, of South Kingston; George Hawkins, of Coventry; Christopher Spen- eer, of Warwick; Thomas Burgess, of Little Comp- ton; Solomon Smith, of Burrilville. For,Secretar.y of State, Henry Bo wen; Attorney General, Albert C. Green; Treasurer, John Steams. The election law of Rhode Island at that time provided that the successful candidate, in order to be elected, must receive a majority over all other candidates. The Republican party nominated James Fenner. National Republicans nominated Lemuel H. Ar­ nold. Anti-Masons nominated William Sprague. Following is the official count ©f votes: Fenner. Arnold. Sprague - First trial, April 26,1832 3,735 2.299 596. Second trial.Tilay 19,1832 8,812 2,936 696 Third trial, July 23.1832 2,755 gjrt) 788 Fourth trial, Sept. 10,1832 8,074 8,718 958 Fifth trial, Nov. 27,1832 2,866 2.266 822- OfHcial count, Jau. 16,1833 2,870 2,226 811 At the election for State officers in 1833, the name of John. Brown Frances was substituted for James Fenner by the Jackson party, and the ant- Masonic party uniting with them, elected J. B. Frances by 794 majority over L. EL Arnold. During the year the Spragues had three banks ander their control, and were praying for another, the Globe Bank, and obtained a charter at the January session of the General Assembly, 1833,. with, a* capital of 150,000. William II was elected President by its Directors. At the June session, «>t' the General Assembly the capital of the Globe

Baaak was increased to. $300r000,^nd the stock,all JHISTOBY Of THE SPRAGUE TFAMILT. 4§ sold before some of the members 6*f the General Assembly returned to their home. It was not so much to be wondered at in regard to the prosperity of William Ii, he having three or,four banks under his control. He was bitterly opposed to those niembers-of the Legislature who voted for a tax on banks, and tried hard to defeat their re-election. His political influence was very great, and his shrewdness was dreaded by all his opponents. His great opposition to Masonry, so violent and so long continued, was the cause of first bringing the names of the Sprague families into public notice, and in politics the families were considered a unit. It was charged to them, and by many believed, that they used large sums of money for political purposes. They never made political speeches, or noisily harangued the people before an election. But they would send out political agents among the electors, and the most conspicuous of those agents was Emanuel Rice. By the laws of Rhode Island, at that time, every voter had to in­ dorse his name on the back of his ballot, and thereby expose, to the public his political prefer­ ence, and was therefore easily proscribed. William II continued to prosper in all his ^undertakings until March, 1836. One morning, while eating breakfast at his own table, a small piece of spare-rib bone lodged in his throat. He immediately left his table and harnessed has horse to his wagon and went to Providence, three anl •

i *.-.

»•:* 16 BISTORT OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILT. as possible, and he would come oat and attend to bis case. The surgeon with an assistant soon arrived, and advised the opening of the side of the neck and taking out the lodged piece of bone. But William II objected and requested and in* sisted on having it forced down into the stomachy and the surgeon reluctantly, complied with the- request; bat by so doing caused! an inflammation in the throat, of which he died, March 28th, 1836,, agedi 63 years. His remains were interred in the family cemetery, in Cranston, beside his wife, Anna Sprague, who died Feb.l2th,1828, in the 66th year of her age. Thus passed away one of the* earliest and most enterprising manufacturers and calico printers of Rhode Island or the United States. William II disposed of his large estate by will, the principal part of which he gave to his sons, Amasa and William, with ample provision for his son Benoni, who was a smart, active,, intelligent, pleasant man; but he loved his fiddle and pleasant company better than manufacturing- cotton cloth, or printing calico, or anything con­ nected therewith. William II also left a legacy to his daughter, Almira, the wife, of Enj.an.uei Rice* of Warwick,. R. I„ HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 17

CHAPTER IV.

History of Amasa Spragne, Oldest Son of William Sprague II. Amasa Sprague was born in Cranston, Provi­ dence county, Rhode Island, April 10th, 1798. His education was rather limited, but he had great strength of mind and business talent. In person­ al appearance he was a robust man, five feet nine or ten inches high, weighing perhaps one hundred and ninety pounds; light complexion, with dark brown hair. When his mind was relieved from business, he was lively, jovial, fond of a good joke, companionable, social to the highest degree; not fond of fine clothes, or making a dashing display; never seemed to care to mingle with {.hose of a haughty demeanor; he always seemed to enjoy himself best in the society of the common people, in the humble walks of life. He was in his father's employ from his childhood up to the time of his father's death. He commenced his daily labor in his father's little cotton-mill, when he was quite a small boy. When he arrived at manhood he assisted his father in his increasing business. He was generally liked by all of those he employed, for his familiarity. Notwithstand­ ing his familiar habits with the laborers, he had the faculty of making them understand that his- word was law on the premises, and his orders must be obeyed It was quite amusing to hear the- IB HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. laborers talk to a new hand, or "green horn,'* as they called them, when they first commenced work. They would commence a dialogue as follows: Pat.—"I say, Mike, are ye going to labor wid us?" Mike.—"Of course I am; the big burly man over at the office told me to come here to work." Pat.—"Well, Mike, let me give ye a bit of advice now. You be sure and do what Amasa tells you to do; do ye hear that now?" Mike.—"Who the divil do ye earl Amasa? Is it the burly gintleman that I see over at the office? I thought that gintleman was the barse." Pat.—"Sure, Mike, that big burly gintleman was the barse, but for short we call him Amasa; it does not hurt his failings to call him Amasa, at all, at all. But see here, Mike, if ye don't obey his orders he will be after ye sure, wid those big boots of his, and woe be to the other side of ye if he overtakes ye. Remember that now!" Under the foregoing instructions Mike com­ mences work, always careful to-obey orders. In politics Amasa Sprague had great influence in his town and State. He represented his town in the State Legislature in the years of 1832, 1840 and 1841, always acting with the party that was most for his own interest. After the estate of his father was settled, the firm of Amasa and William Sprague was es­ tablished for the manufacture of cotton goods and calico printing. They were very systematic in all HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. V9

of their business transactions. Amasa, the senior partner, continued to superintend the business about the print works, and Emanuel Rice (their brother-in-law) superintended their cotton mills at Natic village. William Sprague III, the junior partner, performed the principal part of the out­ side business of the firm, buying cotton, dyestuffs, lumber, etc., and selling their goods. The purchasing of goods for their stores that supplied their operatives with dry goods and groceries, was done by their under agents, who were appointed for that special purpose. The business of the firm of A. & W. Sprague continued to prosper for several years, until the senior partner, Amasa Sprague, was murdered in the ad­ joining town of Johnston, by John Gordon. The circumstances that. led to the murder of Amasa Sprague were as follows: An Irishman by the name of Nicholas Gordon opened a small shop about fifty rods west of Sprague's print works, where he sold intoxicating liquors, by a license, granted by the Town Council of the town of Crans­ ton ; consequently, many of the men employed in and about the print works would go there and unfit themselves for their work. When Gordon's license expired, Mr. Amasa Sprague went before the Town Council, and prevailed on the Council to withhold a license from Gordon. Whereupon Nicholas Gordon threatened Mr. Sprague, in the Council room, telling him (Sprague) that he (Gordon) would see him again before the year was out. And sure enough before the year was out, 20 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY.

John Gordon, brother of Nicholas, did see and murder Amasa Sprague, Sunday afternoon, just before sunset, December 31st, 1843, with a gun, that was proved on the trial of John Gordon, to belong to his brother Nicholas. Mr. Sprague was on his return home, on foot and alone, from a farm of his, in the adjoining town of Johnston, one and a half miles from the print works, when he was met and shot by Gordon, who wounded bis victim in the arm, and then knocked him on the head, breaking the stock of the gun while doing the horrid deed. Amasa Sprague when murdered was in the 46th year of his age. He left a widow and four children, whose names were as follows: Mary Anna, Almira, Amasa and William. His remains were interred in the family cemetery, in Cranston, near the print works. At the time Amasa Sprague was murdered, his junior partner, the Hon. William Sprague III, was United States Senator from Rhode Island. As soon as the news of his brother's murder reached him, he resigned his seat in the Senate and returned home. His first business after his return from Washington, was to find the murderer of his brother, who as it proved was John Gordon, an Irishman, who boarded with his brother," Nicholas Gordon, and worked in and about the Sprague print works. Foot-prints were traced from the scene of the murder to a swamp near where the gun of Nicholas Gordon was found, with the stock broken. The same foot-prints were traced directly from the swamp to Nicholas Gordon's house, and recognized as those HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 21 of John Gordon, whose boots exactly fitted the foot­ prints made from the scene of the murder to the house of Gordon. Some of Gordon's clothes were found stained with blood, secreted between the joists under the chamber floor. John Gordon, Nicholas Gordon and William Gordon, brothers^ were arrested for the murder of Sprague. Nicho­ las and William proved upon examination that they were in Providence, four miles distant, at the time of the murder. John Gordon was tried and convicted of murder and executed at Providence, Rhode Island.

CHAPTER V.

History of William Sprague III., Second Son of William Sprague H. William Sprague HI was born in Cranston,

Providence county, Rhode Island, November 3dr 1799. His education was very limited—no more than what is acquired at the common schools. But like his father, he had great strength of intel­ lect. He commenced to labor in his father's little cotton mill when quite a small boy, and then exibited great talent for operating machinery. With his ingenious mind he observed the skill of others in the operation of machinery. When he was about seventeen or eighteen years of age, or in the years of 1816 and 1817, his father and all the manufacturers were experimenting on looms to weave by water power. They were laughed at by 22 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY, / the people generally. The writer of these pages well recollects at that time of hearing his father and motler talking about "Bill" Sprague (as he was then called) trying to weave by water power. I now distinctly recollect my father's saying, '"They can card and spin cotton, but never can weave it by water power." A Scotchman aamed •Gillmore brought some drawings for the construc­ tion of looms from England about this time, but they were so imperfect it was with difficulty that his plans could be made to work. But after numerous trials at Judge Lyman's cotton mill, in North Providence, they succeeded. And William Sprague II immediately gave them a trial, but with little success. Quite a number of the best mechanics of that day, tried to make the looms operate .and weave cloth, but failed in the attempt- Young William III observed all the movements of those making the trial to weave, and at last he went to his father and asked permission to make the trial to weave. His father looked at him with astonishment and said, do you suppose a lad like you could make the looms operate so as to weave? The lad replied, "Yes, sir; I can weave if anybody can." His father told him to go ahead, and if he did not succeed they might as well give it up. He did go ahead, and succeeded in making good cloth, to the astonishment of all; and had cliarge of his father's weaving for along time, and learned others to weave. Weaving by water- power then soon become general by the early -manufactures. HISTORY OF THE SBBAGUE FAMHLY. 2$ In the year 1821, when his father commenced? building his eottott-inill at Natic, he went there to assist his father in starting looms and other ma­ chinery, and made Natic and vicinity his-perma­ nent home. While thus engaged superintending* his father's business, he became acquainted with and married Miss Mary Waterman, the daughter of a well-to-do farmer, whose farm and home was; about three miles south of Natie village. Here- the reader should understand that the village of Natic is located on the banks of the Pawtuxet river, in the town of Warwick, Kent county, R. I.. Soon after his marriage to Miss Waterman he built his mansion on a small farm a short distance south­ east of the village. As soon as of suitable*age,, he united with the order of Free and Accepted Masons, but on the alleged abduction of William Morgan by the Masons in the State of'New York, he se­ ceded from the Masonic fraternity, and united with his father and others in getting up an anti- Masonic political party for the overthrow of Masonry. He was elected a representative to the State Legislature from the town of Warwick, and took his seat in that body May Ilth, 1829. Was re-elected and took his seat in the Legislature May 10th,, 1830, and was placed on the Committee on Real* Estate. He was again re-elected to the Legis­ lature in 1831.. At the October session of that year, Nov. 7th, Mr. J™ F. Simmons (a member from Johnston) introduced, a, resolution for the appoint­ ment of a committee to investigate the charges against Masonic Lodges in the State.. The resolu- I'..' 24 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. tion was unanimously adopted, and Messrs. Hazard, William Sprague, Jr., -Simmons, Hale, and E. B. Potter, were appointed on said committee, the Senate concurring, adding Hon. S. B. Cornell to the committee. The anti-Masonic excitement at this~time was at its hight, and the foregoing com­ mittee reported at the January session of the Leg­ islature, 1832. The report Was unsatisfactory to the anti-Masons, and young William Sprague (as he was then called,) made a minority report, and by uniting the anti-Masonic strength of the Leg­ islature with the Republican or Jackson party, against the National Republican or Adams party, he succeeded in abrogating most of the Masonic charters of the State, and enacting prohibitory laws in regard to extra judicial oaths, etc. At the October session of the Legislature Wil­ liam III was elected Speaker of the House, by one majority, over Joseph L. Tillinghast, Esq., after seven ba-llotings. Upon the election of Hon. John Brown Frances Governor, in 1883, William III Was re-elected Speaker of the House, and at the January session, 1834, was again reelected over Hon. James De- Wolf, by four majority. During this session of the Legislature there was great excitement over the Masonic question, and a bill was passed, pro­ viding that the several Masonic societies should make annual returns to the Legislature of the names of their officers and the number of their members, under a penalty of one thousand dollars for neglect or refusal so to do. At the May ses' HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 25 sion of the Legislature, 1835, he was defeated for Speaker of the House by Henry Y. Cranston, by three majority. There being no election for Governor or Lieut. Governor, the first Senator, Samuel Ward King, of Johnston, acted as Governor. During this year there was an election for Representatives to Con­ gress, and the following candidates were nomi­ nated: The Jackson and anti-Masonic parties nominated Dutee J. Pearce and William Sprague, Jr.; the National Republican party nominated Hon. Tristam Burgess and Henry Y. Cranston, Esq. At the October session the votes for Rep­ resentatives to Congress were counted, and Messrs. Pearce and Sprague were declared elected. The National Republican party charged the Jackson and anti-Masonic parties with expending large sums of money for the election of Pearce and Sprague. But as usual, such charges were more easily made than proven. Here, in connection with the history of the Sprague families, we give a brief history-of the names of the political parties, showing with what parties the Spragues united politically. During the struggle of the Colonies for their independence, the name of Whig was applied to the revolution­ ists, and the name of Tory to those who were in favor of Great Britain, or the mother country. During the Revolution, a confederacy was formed between the Colonies, and those who supported it, in opposition to a republican Constitution, were called Federalists, hence the names Federal party 26 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. and Republican party. The Federal party was-- dominant during the administrations of Washing­ ton and Adams. The Republican party became- the ruling party under the administrations of Jef­ ferson, Madison and Monroe- During the admin­ istration of Madison, and the second war with England,, the Federal party became extinct, and Mr. Monroe was elected as the Republican Presi­ dent, with but one dissenting electoral vote. At the close of Mr. Monroe's administration, in 1825r and during the administration of Mr. J. Q. Adams, the Republican party became divided on govern­ ment policy.. One portion of the party was in favor of rechartering the United States Bank, in­ ternal improvements and a protective tariff, for encouragement to manufacturers and home indus­ try, and adopted the name of the National Repub­ lican party. The other portion of the Republican party was opposed to the recharter of the United States Bank, internal improvements,,and a protec­ tive tariff for the encouragement of manufacturers and home industry, and retained the original name of the Republican party, as under Jefferson. But during the first Presidential campaign be­ tween Mr. Adams and Gen. Jackson,, the parties seemed to take the name of the Presidential can­ didates, and were called the Adams party and the- Jackson party.. Mr. Adams received his nomina­ tion and political support from the National Re­ publican party, and Gen. Jackson7 received his nomination and political support from, the Repub­ lican party. HISTORY OF THE "SPRAGUE FAMILY. • 27

Upon the re-election of Gen. Jackson to the Presidency, in 1833, the Republican party changed its name to Democratic-Republican. Upon the election of Martin Van Buren to the Presidency, in 1837, the party name was again changed by leaving off the word Republican, and calling it the Democratic party, a name that it has ever since retained. The National Republican party, in the Presidential campaign for the election of Wm. H. Harrison, in the years 1839-40, changed its name to Whig,ttnd was known by that name until 1857, when it again changed its name to Republican. Thus stands the two great party names of our country, Republican and Democratic, in the year 1881. William ILT^was elected a representative to Congress, and took his seat in the House of Rep­ resentatives March 4th, 1836, where he made no speeches and occupied his seat but little, in con­ sequence of his father's death and the settlement of the estate. ' On his return from Congress, at a Whig Convention, January 10th, 1838, he was nominated for Governor, and elected to that office by a majority of 381 over his competitor, John Brown Frances. Again he was nominated by the Whigs, January 10th, 1839, but was defeated at the following spring election. He was elected a representative to the State Legislature, and took his seat in that body October 26th, 1840. At the January session of the Legislature, 'February 5th, 1842, he was elected to the United States Senate by eight majority over all others. At the time of 28 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY.

his election the people of Rhode Island were high­ ly excited over the suffrage question, and the members of the Legislature favorable to the ex­ tension of the right of suffrage to non-freeholders, voted (together with the Democrats,) for his elec­ tion to the United States Senate. He was'con­ sidered favorable to the suffrage movement from the fact that his brother-in-law and most conspic­ uous political agent, Emanuel Rice, during the previous year [1841] was attending suffrage meet­ ings, making short speeches, and getting non-free­ holders in the employ of A. & W. Sprague out to vote for the People's Constitution. It was grati­ fying to the people that a United States Senator had been elected who was so favorable to the extension of suffrage. After the adoption of the Constitution by the people, an attempt was made to carry its provis­ ions into effect by the election of members of a Legislature and State officers, and organizing a State government with Thomas W: Dorr as Gov­ ernor. William III then turned about politically, and did all he could against the establishment of the People's Constitution, and the suffrage move­ ment generally. He, with his brother Amasa, and brother-in-law, Emanuel Rice, used all their influ­ ence to prevent those in their employ voting to support the State government under the People's Constitution. There were no other three men in the State who did more, according to their means and ability, to overthrow the suffrage movement. After the suppression of the People's Constitution, HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 29 and a large number of suffrage men had removed from the State, public opinion compelled the old Charter party to abolish its old English charter, transmitted from Charles II, and adopt a Repub­ lican Constitution; and all legal voters were al­ lowed to use envelopes in which to enclose their ballots, thereby to prevent proscription of the elector, and a registry law was also adopted, to prevent frauds. But notwithstanding these pre­ cautionary law measures, Emanuel Rice was charged with openly flourishing money in town meetings to influence electors. And when voting by enclosing the ballots in an envelope, Rice: did come up to the polls with a man by his side and inquire of the Moderator if the name of the man by his side was registered on the voting list. If answered in the affirmative, Rice would hand an envelope to the man and stand by and see that he put it into the ballot-box. .,.;•. After the adoption of the present Constitution, and the troubles growing out of the suffrage move­ ment had subsided, William III remained in the United States Senate until his brother Amasa was murdered by John Gordon. He then resigned his seat in the Senate and returned home. This ended his personal political career,'although he subsequently had great political influence in ithe legislation of the State. .*-• A 30 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY.

CHAPTER VI.

The Business Energy and Perseverance of William Sprague III.

-, William III settled up the business affairs of the late firm of Amasa and William Sprague, and united with the heirs,,of his brother, under the name of the old firm of A. Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, R. I.

CHAPTER VII.

History of Col. Byron Sprague, Only Son of William Sprague III. Byron Sprague, only son of William Sprague III, was born in Warwick, R. I., September 5th, 1824. His education was rather limited, as was that of most of the members of the Sprague fami­ lies, being nothing higher than what is attained at an academy. At the time of his father's death he was about 32 years of age, and he immediately associated himself in business with his two cousins, Amasa and William, under the name of the old firm of A. & W. Sprague. He became an active partner in the firm in October, 1856, and remained in said firm until November 7th, 1862, when he sold out his interest in the firm of A. & W. 34 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY.

Sprague. His only connection then with his late partners was as a stockholder in the Aquidneck Co. It seems he was a very active member in the firm while a partner. He was on the personal staff of his cousin, Gov. William Sprague, with the rank of Colonel. During the last year (1862) of his connection with the firm of A. & W. Sprague, he was very unfortunately drawn into a scheme for running the blockade, by a man named Harrison Hoyt. This scheme, as testified to by Col. Byron Sprague himself, when arrested with Reynolds, was as follows: " I was a member of the firm of A. & W. Sprague from October, 1856, up to November 7th, 1862. Early in the year 1862, Harrison Hoyt represented to members of our firm, and also to William H. Reynolds, that he thought he could get cotton out of Texas. At this time the firm of A. & W. Sprague was composed of William Sprague, Amasa Sprague and Byron Sprague, as active members. Hoyt was to take out cotton machinery to Texas, as a starting point for busi­ ness. He was to get cotton from the planters on credit, and get it north, and the introduction of the machinery by him was to show his (Hoyt's) good faith to these planters in organizing a manu­ facturing establishment in Texas. My cousin, William Sprague, told me that any arrangements made with Hoyt he would carry out. Whatever interest I had in the transaction I sold "to William Sprague when I left the firm. I wished to retain this interest, but William Sprague declined to allow me to do so. HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 35

" Hoyt's plan as adopted was to organize a cot­ ton carding mill in Texas, the machinery to be taken from here to Texas. ' This was to show his influence, and establish his position there. The capital stock of this concern was to be taken up there, and paid for in cotton, and that cotton was to be sent out here. A memorandum in writing was drawn up in regard to the enterprise, but whether it was signed I don't know. It was to have been signed by A. & W. Sprague, Reynolds & Co., Hoyt and Prescott. Exactly how Taffc & Co. were drawn in I don't recollect. In leaving the firm of A. & W. Sprague I wished to remain interested in this project, because I thought it a cheap and easy method of getting cotton for our factories. My interest continued only as a stock­ holder in the Aquidnick Co. But Gov. Sprague refused to let me remain interested in this enter­ prise, because he said it was A part of the concern that belonged to him by the terms of the contract on which he bought me out of the concern of A. & W. Sprague." The memorandum in writing to which Col. Byron Sprague alludes in the foregoing statement, and says he does not know whether it was signed or not, reads as follows: "This copartnership shall continue for the space of one year, or until its limitation shall be agreeable to the different individuals connected with it, the object being to convey and sell, in some suitable market, where, in the judgment of the parties, it will be most profitable to all concerned, the goods, wares and 36 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. merchandise belonging to said firm, consisting of the steamer Ella Warley, schooners Sncrwdrift and Citizen, and other steamers- or vessels that may be purchased, and all stock already provided and to be provided for the same." It appears that' Col. Byron Sprague and Col. W. H. Reynolds were arrested in the winter of 1864, upon a military order from Gen. Dix. It appeared on investigating the case, that the mili­ tary authorities were not competent to try them, and they were released. The civil authorities neglected to take cognizance of the case, for the Government at the time was struggling for its own existence, and there the whole matter of blockade running rested until the 2-Sth of October, 1870, when it was called up in the United States Senate by his cousin, Senator Sprague, three years and nine months after the death of Col. Byron Sprague. After Col. Sprague sold out his interest in the firm of A. & W. Sprague, he engaged in various enterprises. He was a stockholder in the Hart­ ford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad Co., and was President of that corporation for some time. He had a large interest in the Horseshoe Manu­ facturing Co., also in the Pencil and Pen-holder Manufacturing Co., and he expended large sums of money on his country residence and its sur­ roundings, at Rooky Point, on the western shore of Narragansett Bay, where he died of congestion of the brain, July 31st, 1866, in the forty-second year of his age, leaving a wife and three children, two daughters and a son. Thus passed away HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 37 another energetic and persevering business man of the Sprague families, cotton manufacturers and calico printers.

CHAPTER VIII.

History of Amasa Sprague II., Oldest Son of the Late Amasa Sprague, and Brother of Ex-Senator William Sprague IV.

Amasa Sprague II was born at the old Sprague homestead, near the print works in Cranston, R. I., which he has always made his country resi­ dence. At the time of his father's death he united as one of the heirs of his father's estate, with his uncle, William Sprague III, under the old firm name of A. & W. Sprague, and continued in the firm during the lifetime of his uncle, aiding and assisting with untiring energy in the accumulation of an immense property, under the guidance of his late uncle. Upon the death of his uncle, William III, he united with his younger brother, William IV, and his cousin, Byron Sprague, under the old firm name of A. & W. Sprague, and has continued an active member of the firm, assisting in pushing forward the unfinished business and work that his uncle had begun. His younger brother, William VI, seemed to take the lead in the general busi­ ness of purchasing cotton, dye-stuffs, machinery, etc., while Amasa remained about or near the print works, and looking after the heavy outdoor 38 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. work of transporting cotton, coal and lumber by railroad and teams of horses and mules. Col. Sprague was an enthusiastic admirer of fine horses, and would not allow his teams driven faster than a walk, or the whip to be used. It was said that he happened to see one of his teamsters strike one of his horses in the city of Providence, when he coolly walked up to the teamster, tfook the whip from his hand, drove the team home himself, and discharged the teamster from further employment. Col. Sprague had his father's faculty for mak­ ing those he employed understand that his word was law, and must be obeyed, without any talk­ ing back. He was very judicious in his selection of foremen in the different departments, and those foremen must not interfere with each other's busi­ ness or attend to anyone's business but his own. All payments to laborers are prompt—cash al­ ways ready on pay-day. The Col. allows no quarreling or fighting among those in his employ. The firm of A. & W. Sprague always paid as high wages as any manufacturers and calico printers in the country. A strike for more wages among those employed by them was never known. Col. Sprague was the originator of the Narra- gansett Trotting Park, and for some time was en­ gaged in raising horses for the turf. He was a member of " The National Association for the Promotion of the Interest of the American Trot­ ting Turf, and was subsequently elected President of the association, in which capacity he served satisfactorily." At one time he had an interest HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 39 in a park for trotting and rearing horses, in sec­ tion 1, township 13, range 19, adjoining the city of Lawrence, Douglas county, Kansas. Col. Sprague has frequently represented his native town, Cranston, in the State Legislature, and was active in the support of the Union during the Rebellion. He was on the personal staff of his brother, Gov. William Sprague IV, and was active in assisting the State in raising troops for the Union cause. Col. Sprague has been twice married. His first wife died some years ago, leaving one child, a daughter. His second wife is still living, and has one son, Amasa Sprague III.

CHAPTER IX.

William Sprague IV- -His Birth and Early Education -His Business Training by his Uncle, William III—The Formation of the New Firm of A. & W Sprague

William Sprague TV was born in Cranston, Providence county, R. I., September 12th, 1830. He was the youngest son of the late Amasa Sprague, who was murdered by Gordon. At the time of his father's death, young Amasa' and Wil­ liam, with their sisters, were at a private school. Subsequently Amasa and William were sent to the Smithville Seminary, in the town of Scituate, 40 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY.

R. I., where they remained until called home to attend to the business of their firm. William was placed in the counting-room, under the care and instruction of his uncle, where he remained most of the time until the death of his uncle, William III. After the extensive estate and business of his late uncle was administered upon and settled, a new company, by the name of A. & W. Sprague & Co., was formed, consisting of AmaSa Sprague, William Sprague, Byron Sprague, Mrs. Fanny Sprague, widow of the late Amasa Sprague, and her two daughters, Elmira and Maryanna, Mrs. Mary Sprague, widow of the late Hon. William Sprague III, and her daughter, Susarl. Amasa, William and Byron Sprague were the active mem­ bers of the firm, William IV taking the lead in the business, assisted by his brother Amasa, and cousin Byron. This young man, William IV, entered upon his arduous duties with the firmness of a veteran. He went forward and had their large cotton mill at Baltic built, on the founda­ tion prepared by his late uncle, and had it filled wrfh the most modern machinery, of the best quality. Among this mass of machinery are 1975 looms, now in full operation. We must give the firm of A. & W. Sprague & Co. credit for the best of management of their manufacturing establish­ ments. They are unrivaled in cleanliness, the best of brushes and brooms being furnished, which are well used. All the little supplies are of the best quality, and in great abundance, which is the great secret of their success in manufacturing. .The HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 41 I best of order also prevails throughout their large manufacturing establishments. They pay as high a price for labor as any other firm in the State, and pay promptly. Their goods at retail in their stores were of the very best quality, and as cheap as elsewhere. An operative could do as well in their employ as at any other manufacturing es­ tablishment in the State. William IV commenced his military career by joining an old and long established artillery company in the city of Providence, when quite young, and found time to attend company" drill, and became quite a favorite in the company, and was subsequently elected its Colonel. This ar­ tillery company had been favorably known to the citizens of Rhode Island for many years, and always attracted much attention for its beauty and efficiency in drill or on parade. The ohorous duties of settling the affairs of the late firm of A. &, W. Sprague, and the arrangement of all its complications, began to slightly affect his health, and it was thought advisable that he should rest awhile from his labors, and make a brief tour through France and England, which he soon ac­ complished, and returned home in the winter of 1860, and was met by his military companions with congratulatory demonstrations. At the time he returned from England, the country was in convulsions in consequence of the threatened rebellion. The subject of slavery seemed to be the cause of all our political troubles at this time, as it, ever before had been. The Re- 42 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY.

publican party had taken its stand against the ex­ tension of that barbarous institution into free territory. The Republican party was divided in Rhode Island,one wing of the party being for the abolition of slavery, and was called the radical wing; the other wing was for leaving slavery where it had always been, but not to be extended be­ yond its present limits, and was called the con­ servative wing of the party. The State election for State officers was of the greatest importance at this time, in consequence of the threatening atti­ tude of the Southern States. The Republican / Convention assembled in the city of Providence. The radical wing of the party nominated the Hon. Seth Padleford, a prominent retired merchant, for the office of Governor. The return of William Sprague IV from England at this critical time of our political affairs, caused the conservative wing of the Republican party to unite with the Demo­ cratic party in support of William IV for Gov­ ernor, and by the most strenuous exertions, succeeded in electing him Governor over his competitor, April 4th. 1860; and he was inaugu­ rated Governor in May following at Newport. This year there was great political excitment throughout the country, in consequence of the Presidential election. And what made it unusu­ ally exciting was the threatening attitude the South was taking in regard to secession, and the dissolution of the National Democratic party, which was consummated at the Democratic Con­ ventions held at Charleston, S. C, and Baltimore, HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 43

Md., by the nomination1 of J. C. Breckenridge, South, and the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas North, and the nomination of Abraham Lincoln by the Republican party. In this eventful year Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States, and the Southern States began in earnest to prepare for secession. In March, 1861, immediately after the inauguration of President Lincoln, the States of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana Mississippi and Texas ratified and adopted the Constitution framed in the Southern Convention at Montgomery, Alabama. April 3d, 1861, Wm. IV was re-elected by his political supporters of the year previous, over his Republican competitor Hon. James Y. Smith, by 1746 majority. During this year (1860) two representatives were elected to Congress: William P. Sheffield, of Newport, conservative, from the eastern district, and George H. Brown, Dejiocrat, from the western district. On the 12th of April, nine days after the re-election of Governor Sprague, Fort Sumter was fired upon by the rebels, and defended by less than one hundred men, commanded by Major Anderson, and after a defence of thirty-six hours, was sur­ rendered Sunday morning, April 14th. The next day, Monday, April 15th, the President issued a call for three months service, for 75,000 volunteers and summoned an extra session of Congress to meet on the 4th of July. The response of Rhode Island was prompt. In seventeen days after the President's call for volunteers,- John S. C. Abbott in his History of the Rebellion, Vol. 1, pages 118 44 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. and 119, says: "On the 2d of May the Marine Flying Artillery of Rhode Island arrived in Washington, having a battery of six pieces. The energy manifested by this gallant little State, under its young but noble Governor, Wm. Sprague, attracted universal admiration. This battery was apparently perfect in every appoint­ ment of military art, that can give efficiency to this most effective arm of modern warfare. One hundred and sixty well drilled cannoniers accom­ panied the battery, leaving behind an equal number ready to join them at the first signal. The Rhode Island regiment of infantry met them on parade in Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, where they were highly complimented for the perfection of their outfit and their high military bearing. The artillery at 5 o'clock visited the President. He received them in front of the White House, and was greeted with hearty cheers. The Rhode Island regiment was quartered in the Interior Department building. Governor Sprague in full uniform, accompanied them. Our national banner was raised over that vast edifice, and cheered; while secession looked sullenly on gnashing its teeth. The heroic little band entered their quarters singing "Our Flag Still Waves." Governor Sprague, having of course no command in the United States army, or even Rhode Island troops, when in the service of the United States. He only accompanied them to Washington to manifest his patriotism and determination to crush out the rebellion. He soon returned home and HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 45 used all his personal and official influence in con­ nection with the State authorities, in raising the 2d Rhode Island Regiment of Volunteers, fpr three years service, together with a battery of six pieces, fully equipped in every particular. He also accompanied the 2d regiment to Washington in June. He was frequently passing between his home and Washington, and in fact, he was every­ where that he thought his influence would benefit his country. At the same time he was attending to an extensive business of the firm of A. & W. Sprague, where a capital of millions was invested, assisted only by his cousin Byron and brother Amasa, and a very few agents of their appointment. The citizens of Rhode Island, and the loyal people throughout the country admired his conduct. On the 16th of July, 1861, when Gen. McDow­ ell with 32,000 men advanced from the banks of the Potomac upon Manassas Junction, Governor Sprague accompanied the Rhode Island troops and took a very active part in the first battle of Bull Run. J. S. C. Abbott's History of the Re­ bellion, Vol. 1, page 177, reads as follows: " Gen. McDowell's troops were exhausted by a long march; were in a strange country, hilly, broken, and densely wooded; were to march bare-breasted to meet troops in position, and with masked bat­ teries, and of whose. number they could form no intelligent estimate. The column had just crossed the ford and entered upon an open plateau be­ yond, when the leading brigade, under Gen. Burn- side, encountered a vigorous fire of artillery and 46 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. infantry from an almost invisible foe. Almost at the same moment the battle commenced in earnest along the whole line, from eight to ten miles in length,, and from one to two in breadth. Never was a battle fought more bravely. Every regi­ ment merited its country's pride and gratitude. Burnside there developed that heroism which has given his name national renown. And the gal­ lant young Governor and chieftain, Sprague of Rhode Island, carved a device upon his escutch­ eon which will prove him to be one of Nature's noblemen through all coming time." Governor Sprague, during the battle, had his horse shot from under him. He coolly took the saddle from the horse, and then assisted the men at the guns, with incessant energy. But when the rebels were reinforced by Gen. Johnston with thousands of fresh troops, and all hope of victory gone, Abbott's History; Vol. 1, page 179, informs us that: " Slowly, sadly, and in perfect order they commenced the inevitable retreat, protected by Burnside's gallant brigade, and Gov. Sprague's Rhode Islanders, when a body of regulars, still maintaining the fight, got out of ammunition, and sent their caissons back, with the horses thunder­ ing along at full gallop, for a fresh supply. These ponderous carriages were driven recklessly, and with almost unearthly clamor, down the road, scattering the ranks of the regiments in every di­ rection. The inexperienced troops, witnessing these carriages thus rushing to the rear, interpret­ ed it as the frantic flight of the regulars. Their HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 47 ranks were broken by the reckless driving; reme­ diless disorder ensued; officers and men were in­ termingled ; the teamsters in the vicinity caught the fright, and lashed their horses for escape. A scene of horror ensued, which can hardly be ex­ aggerated. At the bridge the passage was choked by overturned caissons and ambulances, while the shells of the rebels from many batteries were fall­ ing and exploding in the midst of the frantic throng. Sauv qui pent, ' Save himself who can,' then became apparently the watchword for all." The foregoing extract from Abbott's History, shows that the disaster to our retreating troops at the bridge over Bull Run, and three miles along the road toward Centreville, was not the fault of Gen. Burnside or his brigade, composed of the First and Second Rhode Island, Seventy-first New York, Second New Hampshire, and Reynold's Battery. The first Rhode Island 'regiment ar­ rived in Washington early Monday morning, the day after the battle, its term of service having expired before it went into the engagement, where it did such splendid service. Gen. Burnside ten­ dered the services of the regiment to Gen. Scott to remain in Washington still longer. Gen. Scott said he considered the capital quite safe, and di­ rected Gen. Burnside to take the regiment home, which he did the Thursday night following. Governor Sprague returned home about the time of the return of the first regiment, and con­ tinued to assist the loyal citizens in raising more troops for the war. He became so popular with 48 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. the people that but little or no opposition was made to his re-election, and he was re-elected April 2d, 1862. The whole number of votes for Governor was 11,264, of which Governor Sprague received 11,199. His majority over all others was 11,134, there being 65 votes scattering. The foregoing electoral vote was counted at the May session of the General Assembly following the election of April 2d, 1862. After the votes for general State officers were declared, " the General Assembly, in grand committee, his Honor Lieut. Governor Arnold in the chair, Hon. B. F. Thurs­ ton nominated William Sprague for Senator in Congress for six years from March next. A bal­ lot was taken and Governor Sprague was elected by the following vote: Whole number of votes, 103; William Sprague had 92, James F. Sim­ mons 5, Nathan F. Dixon 5, Thomas G. Turner 1." From the foregoing extract, from the record of the Assembly, appears the popularity of Gov. Sprague. About this time, with his other labors, he took a very active part in recovering from the battle­ field of Bull Run the remains of Colonel Slocum, Major Ballou and Captain Tower, of the second regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers, and restor- ino; them to their friends. He attended the sol- emnization of their interment, accompanied by his personal staff, consisting of Colonels J. A. Gardner, Byron Sprague, Olny Arnold, J. P. Manton and Amaa Sprague. During this, his last gubernatorial year, he was HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 49 very active in assisting the State government in raising and forwarding troops for the war. In March, 1863, he took his seat in the United States Senate, and was appointed chairman of the Committee on Manufactures, and his votes were generally in accordance with President Lincoln's administration, but not exactly in accordance with the wishes of some of his conservative and Democratic constituents.

As the war progressed, it was evident that the Republic must be destroyed or slavery abolished, and he came nobly forward and supported the Republican measures to carry the President's Proclamation of Emancipation into effect, and the raising of negro troops for the defense of the country. He was considered truly Republican, although he registered his name in the Congres­ sional Record as a Democrat. He usually voted on the Republican side on all important questions. During his first Senatorial term he was so much engaged in his own personal affairs, attending to a large manufacturing and calico printing busi­ ness, where millions of dollars were invested, he was seldom seen in the Senate chamber—only when some important question came before that body. At that same time he was extending the buisness of the firm of A. & W. Sprague

States, the expense of which was computed at $250,000. After his election to the United States Senate he said he would not live under any other person's roof in Washington, and bought himself a large house between the business quarter of the city and the capitol, where he spent the early years of his marriage. Being a member of the Senate, he made Washington his home during his first congressional term. His wife being well edu­ cated, thev moved in the best and most fash- ionable society of Washington. Mrs. Sprague made several tours through Europe during their residence at Washington and Edgewood, (a small estate near the city,) and visited the principal and most fashionable watering places in her own eountry, always acompanied by ladies and gentle­ men of the highest and best class of society. During Senator Sprague's first Senatorial term he made no speeches, but acted with promptness on all measures to suppress the rebellion, frequently trav­ eling between Washington and Rhode Island on his own private business, which was very extensive at this time, having purchased a farm near the Narragansett Pier, in Washington county, R. 1., where he erected a mansion house for his summer residence, which he named Canonchet, after a celebrated Narragansett Indian chief of that name. His services having been highly satisfactory to his constituents, he was re-elected to the same high position, and took his seat in the Senate for the second term March 4th, 1869. During his second term it seemed a great change of mind had • %

52 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. taken place. March 15th, eleven days after tak­ ing his seat, he commenced a series of five speeches. In the first, on the financial condition of the coun­ try, he recommended the appointment of a Com­ missioner, Deputy Commissioner, and twenty-four Judges of Finance, to examine into the English system of finance, etc. March 17th he made a speech on the Civil Tenure Act, in which he seemed dissatisfied with the Senate because a large majority of its members were lawyers, etc. March 27th he made another speech on the same subject, wherein he lauded the government of England and disparaged the government of the United States. His next speech was on March 30th, on the National Currency, which was of but little interest. April 8th he made the last speech (of the series) on the Tax Bill. In this speech he Spoke more or less of his own personal affairs and experience in business, and made some statements which the people of Rhode Island could not credit as truthful, especially when he called in question and arraigned before the Senate and the country a business firm of the standing of Brown & Ives, that has been so favorably known for nearly or quite a century. He alluded to them in the fol­ lowing manner: " There is in my State a great capital centered in one family; and that family, has a newspaper organ, and that newspaper organ is controlled by my colleague. There are through­ out the State those who receive, or expect to re­ ceive, stipends at the hands bf that family, or whose business rests' on its favors. They and HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 53 their agents are in possession of most of the moneyed institutions of the State, and when they sneeze, there is a great deal of sneezing from one end of the State to another." Other charges of a similar character were also made, one of which being of so personal a nature as to call forth a reply from the firm of Brown & Ives, and by adroit manipulating, Senator Anthony, of Rhode Island, managed to have the same read in the Senate, thus placing the accusation and the denial side by side in the Congressional Record. Fol­ lowing is the card: " It is for the State of Rhode Island to brand with lasting infamy the foul and atrocious calum­ nies with which the character of the people of this State has been aspersed before the world upon the floor of the Senate of the United States, by one of its members, placed there by the State it­ self. But it is incumbent upon us publicly to notice a specific allegation made in the speech of Hon. William Sprague, on the 8th day of this month, in the Senate of the United States, and contained in these words: "This great family came to me in 1857, and made this proposition: •"'Let us join our forces, prevent a suspension of specie payment, break down those who are our rivals in business or oth­ erwise, and buy up their property.' At that time I had no debts whatever pressing upon me. But did I unite with them in carrying into effect this vicious and pernicious scheme \ Sir, I did not. I repudiated and spurned the proposal." " This charge is made in the presence of the 54 HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY.

Senate, under the privilege of that body, guar­ anteed by these words of the Constitution of the United States: ' And for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in other places.' " But we, in the presence of the great tribunal of public justice, and under the personal respon­ sibility of our own names, hereby declare that this allegation is totally false and malicious. . " There are other imputations against us in the same speech equally unfounded, but as they are couched in vague and indefinite expressions, we do not deem it necessary to notice them, further than to deny explicitly the charge made of our attempt to impair the mercantile standing of the Senator. " We are totally ignorant of any occasion which can justify or explain the attack made upon us by Senator Sprague, BROWN & IVES. "By John Carter Brown and Robert H. Ives, Sole Partners. "Providence, April 12, 1869." In another part of this book we refer to the al­ leged connection of Senator Sprague with an il­ licit traffic in cotton during the Rebellion. On the 13th of December, 1870, Senator Sprague in­ troduced a resolution in the Senate calling for "an investigation of these charges, and the matter was referred to the Committee on Retrenchment. On the 19th of January, 1871, it was taken from that HISTORY OF THE SPRAGUE FAMILY. 55 committee and referred to a special committee, of which Senator Thurman was chairman. In due time the committee reported that after considering the evidence placed before them, they had decided that the " charges have not been sustained." After Senator Sprague finished his five speeches, which he scattered broadcast over the country in pamphlet form, we hear but little more of him in the Senate. It seemed that his financial affairs Avere pressing so hard upon the firm of A. & W. Sprague & Co. that they were compelled to sus­ pend, and their vast property, valued at $16,000,- 000, with liabilities estimated at $14,000,000, was placed in the hands of Zachariah Chafee, as Trus­ tee, under whose management the business of the firm was conducted for the interest of all parties concerned, assisted for a time by Senator Sprague. At the close of his second Senatorial term he re­ tired to private life, and as to how he has enjoyed it we refer the reader to the Appendix of this brief History of the Sprague Families, Cotton Manufacturers and Calico Printers of Rhode Island. APPENDIX.

It seems that the later years of Gov. Sprague's- married life have not passed as pleasantly as could have been desired, and the disagreements between himself and wife became notorious through the public behavior of the ex-Senator toward Mrs. Sprague. On the 15th of August, 1879, a scene occurred at Canonchet, the home of the Spragues, which furnished a sweet morsel of gossip for the scandal mongers. Mrs. Sprague had engaged as teacher for her children one Prof. George Linck, toward whom her husband had conceived a vio­ lent antipathy, and forbidden him the house. The Providence correspondent of the Boston Herald furnished the following account of the affair: " Linck, not realizing that he was in earnest, went to Sprague's house on Friday, and the result was that a very disgraceful encounter ensued* After Linck had been in the house a while, Sprague arrived, and when he saw the German, became furious, and in spite of the fact that the house had several guests, ladies and gentlemen from Albany and elsewhere, he ordered the man APPENDIX. 57 to leave, and seizing a double-barrelled shot-gun, threatened to kill him if he did not go. Sprague had previously informed some of the guests that they also had better go, as it was probable there would be murder in the house. The ladies screamed, and naturally there was a great deal of excitement at the strange action of the ex-Senator The housekeeper endeavored to quiet the infuri ated man, but it was necessary for Linck to de part before the fear of bloodshed was allayed The German left the house and went into the vii lage, whither, after a time, Sprague followed, but he did not chance to encounter him again. Sena­ tor Conkling was at Spragiie's house during this altercation, but saw nothing of it, as he was in the library at the time, some distance from the scene. It appears that Sprague had consulted Senator Conkling in Washington some months ago upon a business matter connected with the settlement of the Sprague estate, and as the business was unfinished, and as it had been intimated to Sena­ tor Conkling that Sprague wished to see him again about it, the Senator went over to the Pier from Newport in a yacht with a party of friends Thurs­ day afternoon. He called at Sprague's house Friday, and was awaiting his arrival to consult him in reference to the business. As before stated, he did not witness the altercation, but hearing the ladies scream, he immediately sought them out, and found they were desirous to leave the house. There was an invalid gentleman in the party of guests present in the house, and Senator Conkling 08 APPENDIX. took him in his arms and removed him to a car­ riage, and afterward saw that all present were conveyed from the residence, as they were very much frightened. He then walked to the village of Narragansett Pier, a half mile or so from the house. After a few minutes he passed up the main road, and while walking along, met ex-Sen­ ator Sprague driving to the Pier. He stopped and asked Sprague what all the trouble was about, saying he could not understand why he should act so like a wild man. Sprague said that he knew his own business, refusing to give any explana­ tion of his actions. Senator Conkling went to the house of a friend, and shortly after took the even­ ing train for Providence.

MRS. SPRAGUE's STATEMENT OF THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. A correspondent of the New York /Swn, writ­ ing under date of Narragansett Pier, R. I., Aug. 16, 1879, gave the following as the result of an interview with Mrs. Sprague, just after the occur­ rences narrated above: " The witnesses to the scene between Governor and Mrs. Sprague at Conductor Hale's house, Narragansett Pier, on Thursday, say that it was a stormy one on the Governor's part. He said to his wife: ' Your man got away pretty quick that time, didn't he?' T4 which his wife made no reply. Subsequei$lfy, speaking of Mrs. Sprague's alleged extravagance, he asked: ' Where is that APPENDIX. 59

$5000 you got recently?- I suppose you have squandered all that.' " A friend of Mrs. Sprague, who was present, says that the wife received these remarks for the most part in silence, and seemed more occupied in settling the future of her children than in indulg­ ing in mutual criminations. She made no coun­ ter-charge of infidelity against the Governor, as was at first reported. During the past two days, since her return to Canonchet, a strict watch haft been kept upon her. movements, although she has been at liberty comparatively. The Governor says she can go when and where she pleases. She has been waited on by her maid and governess, and allowed to see her children, and her husband has only interfered to prevent her communication with persons whom he regards as hostile to him. Among these is Miss Fosdick, the friend who ac­ companied her from Providence, and who has often before been a guest at Canonchet. Her messages to these persons have been detained, but yesterday, through the medium of her French maid, she succeeded in getting one telegram sent from the Mount Hope office. When the news of this action reached the ears of the Governor he was somewhat incensed, and threatened to dis­ charge the maid, but on second thought relented. To-day he told your correspondent that he was perfectly willing that his wife should see any one she wished, and that his sole desire in keeping these ' secret messages' from her was to insure her peace and quiet. For the past few days she had 60 APPENDIX.

been in a very excited condition, and he could not consent to her keeping up a private correspond­ ence with the persons whose object was to destroy the peace and honor of his family. A party of lawyers and personal friends of Governor Sprague was standing at the library window when your correspondent drove up to Canonchet to-day. Mr. Hazzard, the venerable senior counsel of the Governor, Mr. Robert Thompson, and Mr. Arthur Watson were among the number. A ring at the door brought two of them out,.but it was a long time before they could be induced to communicate with Mrs. Sprague.. At length the correspondent was invited to step into a small retiring room where the Governor was sitting. Mr. Sprague's face betrayed traces of the distress he has so recently suffered, but he rose and welcomed the visitor cordially, with out­ stretched hand. He said very little beyond the fact that he hoped by keeping his wife quiet and composed for a few days, and beyond the reach of distressing influences, to induce a frame of mind in which she would come to an understanding upon her future position toward him. It is be­ lieved in the village, however, that Mrs. Sprague was under lock and key, and restricted in her lib­ erty, and he was willing the public should know that such was not the fact. For his own part, he proposed to say nothing. The Governor then turned to Mr. Watson, who is his nephew by mar­ riage, and said: ' Take this gentleman to Mrs. Sprague.' The correspondent was conducted up APPENDIX. 61 a Avinding staircase of richly-carved oak to the second floor, where a broad doorway opened into an elegantly furnished apartment, half parlor, half library, with a bay window looking out on the lawn. Mrs. Sprague occupied an arm-chair near the table, and rose to receive her guest. She was extremely pale, but her manner betrayed only the slightest trace of agitation. Once or twice her lips trembled, but in general she preserved a most admirable self-poise, speaking calmly, but earn­ estly, and with a degree of native eloquence and grace which would make a powerful impression on the most obdurate. Her language was remark­ ably clear and well chosen, and no one who has listened to her for ten minutes can doubt that she wrote, as she avows she did, the whole of the Providence letter, which has been attributed to her lawyers. " ' I have sent for you,' she said, to the repre­ sentative of the Sun, ' because I wish to* correct some false impressions which have gone abroad in regard to my conduct at Tuesday's meeting. I did not charge my husband, as has been stated, with untruthfulness, nor did I make the verbal attacks upon him which I have been represented as doing. On the contrary, I bore with meekness the unmanly sneers and reproaches that he show­ ered on me, not responding save when my chil­ dren's relations to me were touched upon. I have my story to tell, and when the truth of this terri­ ble business is known, I know that I shall be jus­ tified. God knows that I have no reason to fear 62 APPENDIX. the truth, though for thirteen long years my life has been a constant burden and drag upon me. For years I have had this thing weighing upon me, and have striven with all my might to stand between my husband's wrong doing and the pub­ lic. I have done it for the sake of my children, not for any affection that existed between us; for there has been none for years. This whole mis­ erable affair, into which Senator Conkling has been wantonly dragged without'a particle of rea­ son or excuse, originated in a business transaction between himself and my husband, of so trivial a nature that you would be astonished that any sane man could consider it a source of jealousy. For years I have known Senator Conkling, just as, from the position of my father and my husband, I have known scores of other public men in Wash­ ington. I have known him from the time I was a child, and my husband has known him for years. Two years ago they were on perfectly good terms. I was visiting at my house, ' Edgewood,' near Washington, and when my husband came on to visi* me, Senator Conkling was one of the gentle­ men who called upon us. Up to that time his name had never been mentioned by my husband other than with respect. " ' A year ago last July, Mr. Sprague sent on to me in Washington a lot of young colts and young horses and fillies which he had picked out for his own use at the winding up of his estate. He wished me to use those I wanted for riding and driving, and have the rest pastured some- APPENDIX. 63 where near the city. He came on himself, and was looking about for a place to pasture them, when Mr. Conkling told him of some farmer in the neighborhood who was taking care of his (Mr. Conkling's) horse. Mr. Sprague accepted the suggestion with pleasure, and Mr. Conkling in­ troduced him to the farmer. When October came the man sent me his bill, which I forwarded to Mr. Sprague in Rhode Island. The bill was sent again and again, and always returned unpaid, un­ til 1 began to feel scandalized. Then the man applied to Senator Conkling, and even threatened to'sue him, having by his introduction of my hus­ band, become surety for its payment. Mr. Conk­ ling was finally forced to write to Mr. Sprague, telling him the position in which he was placed, • and on a subsequent visit to Washington again called on Mr. Sprague and asked him to Settle it. He told my husband that he could not be expect­ ed to pay any lady's bills, least of all a married lady's; and that it would be an insult to me to propose it, but that he (Mr. Conkling) would gladly give my husband the money to pay it out of his own pocket, and let him repay it whenever he would. When I heard of this I was naturally indignant, and chided my husband for allowing the Senator to make such an offer, and said that I would sell anything I had to raise the money rather than accept such assistance; and yet this petty, contemptible squabble was the commence­ ment of all my husband's jealousy against Mr. Conkling. Even after that he consented to re- 64 APPENDIX. ceive aim, and voluntarily went on to Washing­ ton in April last to get the Senator's legal opinion in regard to the troubles between himself and his creditors. There was perfect and entire cordial­ ity between them then, although these scandals, it is now charged, had been known in' Washing­ ton for years. " ' There is not a word of truth in all of these atrocious reports. Mr. Conkling never paid me any attention that a wife could not honorably receive from her husband's friend, and it is false to say otherwise. Mr. Sprague was simply work­ ed upon by his business troubles, which had been culminating for years, and by his indulgence in strong drink. He regarded every one, no matter how honorable, who was a friend of mine, as an interloper and intriguer against him. His jeal­ ousy and hatred of that poor German shows the workings of his mono-mania. Why, he wrote a letter to Mr. Chase, a friend of mine, shortly be­ fore the affair, saying that he did not care about Senator Conkling, but that he was determined to kill both him and Prof. Linck.' " " ' Did he write such a letter?' " " ' So Mr. Chase tells me, and I have every re­ liance upon his word. Mr. Sprague is just as wild on the subject of Prof. Linck as he is in the case of Mr. Conkling—as indeed he would be jealous of any one else whom he fancied my friend.' " " ' How did Mr. Conkling venture to come to Canonchet under the circumstances?' " APPENDIX. 65

" ' He came simply to use his influence with my husband to consent to a certain policy in his man­ agement of the estate. It was precisely the same subject on which Mr. Sprague had voluntarily gone to Washington and consulted him (Mr. Conkling) in the April previous—as I stated in my published letter. I had written to Mr. Conk­ ling asking him to use his influence to this end, and Mr. Conkling replied that he would be of little service, but he was willing to try if I wished it. I wrote to him that I did, and as Mr. Sprague himself has admitted it was for the best interests of the estate, I considered that there would be no impropriety in his visiting us here for that pur­ pose. Mr. Throop Martin, of Auburn, an old friend of Mr. Conkling, and an invalid of over 70, was staying with us, together with his wife and daughter. I could see no possible harm in the presence of these guests, as my husband was con­ stantly going and coming at intervals of a few days, and no effort was made to conceal the fact of the Senator's visit from him. I met the Sena­ tor when he landed from the boat at Nar-ragan- sett, and told him that his old friend, Mr. Martin, was stopping with us, and that we should be pleased to have him stop over at Canonchet, es­ pecially as the Governor was expected home in a day or two. He came and occupied a room on the third floor on Wednesday and Thursday nights preceding the ^rouble. On Friday morn­ ing when I came doWn to breakfast I was told, to my surprise, that Mr. Sprague had come home 66 APPENDIX. suddenly at 3 o'clock in the morning, and had left again. I paid no attention to this, however, as his movements are always very erratic. He comes in on you like a ghost in the middle of the night, and at the most unseasonable hours, and hurries away in the same disquieting manner. I had learned to be used to these freaks, but Mr. Conkling, when told of the Governor's visit, seemed surprised at such conduct. I thought no more of it, and busied myself about my household affairs, while Senator Conkling took a seat on the lounge in the room, and was looking over the newspapers. After giving my orders I turned to poor Mr. Martin, who was sitting in the room, and at his request, sat down to read a little to him. Just then Mr. Sprague came up the staircase. He walked slowly into the room, Mr. Conkling rising to meet him. Some words passed between them, which I did not hear, but the tone of which ar­ rested my attention. I rose to my feet. Mr. Conkling walked straight across the room to where 1 stood ami said: " ' Mrs. Sprague, your husband is very much excited, and I think it better for all of us if I should withdraw. If my departure puts you in any danger, so say, and I will stay, whatever the consequence.' " ' He spoke in a very calm voice, although I know he must have been excited. I told him not to mind me, but that if Mr. Sprague was in a passion it would be useless to argue with him, and might only lead to violence. APPENDIX. 67

,i t Meanwhile Miss Martin had passed Mr. Sprague coming to the house, and was frightened almost out of her wits by his stopping her and telling her that ' there was going to be a tragedy up at the house.1 She hurried down to the Pier and ordered up a barouche to take away her in-' Aralid father from such a dangerous place. The barouche and a small carryall came back. Poor old Mr. Martin struggled to his feet and tottered to the head of the stairs. I called to Mr. Conk­ ling to stop and help the poor old gentleman back to the room, which he did kindly and tenderly; so that it was perfectly true that he did help an invalid gentleman to avoid the consequence of Mr. Sprague's uncalled-for outburst. Then Mr. .Conk­ ling walked down stairs *and out on the platform. My oldest daughter, Ethel, followed him and put her arm around him and said, t Don't go, Mr. Conkling.1 Mr. Sprague stood about fifty feet off, on the edge of the piazza,, eyeing us in a desper­ ate sort of way. I knew( I had done nothing wrong, and I tried to be as calm as I could. " ' When Ethel wanted Mr. Conkling to stay, I said: 'No, Ethel; Mr. Conkling will go, but no one shall hurt either him or us.1 " ' My husband all this time kept perfect silence. What he said up stairs, and what Mr. Sprague said to Mr. Conkling at Billington's I do not know. Mr. Sprague took his gun with him in the buggy when he went after Mr. Conkling. I know it was loaded, for Willie, my boy, came to me just afterward and said: ' Mamma, papa's gun 68 APPENDIX. is loaded with three slugs, and if he shoots any one he'll kill them sure.1 Then he told me that his father had told him that he had no caps, and asked him (Willie) for some, but he didn't think it best to give them to his father. I' have reason to be grateful that no one was murdered. " ' There is another falsehood that has been ex­ tensively circulated, and that is that Mr. Conk­ ling endorsed that statement which attributed the whole affair to my husband's hatred of Mr. Linck. I know from gentlemen who were present when that dispatch was written that Mr. Conkling dis­ approved of it. He has neither sought to conceal or to spread any knowledge he possesses of this wretched matter. " ' Were you present, Mrs. Sprague, in the Sen­ ate on the night of the Conkling-Lamar affair?' " ' I was, and in company with the wives of several distinguished Senators. The story that I almost fainted at the idea of an encounter between Senator Conkling and Senator Lamar is utterly false. I hardly knew of the affair until it was over, and I am certain that I exhibited no more feeling than as a warm personal friend of Mr. Conkling. There were others who exhibited far more feeling than I. I sat beside Mrs. Senator Cameron, and I remember that Mr. Cameron him­ self, in his excitement, rushed down the marble staircase, two steps at a time, in order to get on the floor before the trouble was over. The report that I wrote notes to Mr. Conkling on that occa­ sion is a shameless falsehood. I certainly would APPENDIX. 69 not do so; obviously it would be an improper and unladylike action. " ' The same absolute contradiction is due from me of the stories of my remaining out at late hours and meeting Mr. Conkling at the Capitol. I am compelled to speak plainly of these outrag­ eous slanders, because of their wide publicity— of all the crop of slanders which has sprung up. I loathe to speak of these things, but they have been dwelt upon until, instead of monstrous false­ hoods, they appear to the public like admitted facts. At the proper' time, and in the proper place, I will show the true character and origin of the persecution. I can honestly say that I want the truth, and every particle of the truth, about this matter to be known at the proper time."'

MRS. SPRAGUE's PETITION FOR A DIVORCE. In the Supreme Court of Washington county, R. 1., Katherine Chase Sprague has filed the fol­ lowing petition, praying for a divorce from her husband, William Sprague: "FEBRUARY TERM, 1881. " Washington, ss. " To the Honorable the Justices of the Supreme Court, to be holden in South Kingstown, with­ in and for the county of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island, on the third Monday in February, A. D. 1881. " Katherine Chase Sprague, of South Kings- 70 APPENDIX.

town, in said county of Washington, respectfully represents: " That she is a domiciled inhabitant of the State of, Rhode Island, and has resided therein for one year next before the filing of this petition. " That she was married to William Sprague on the 12th day of November, A. D. 1863, at Wash­ ington, in the District of Columbia, and has ever since kept and performed on her j)art all the ob­ ligations of the marriage covenant, but that the said William Sprague has violated the same in this: " That he has committed adultery with divers women at divers places and times since the said marriage. * # # * # " That said Sprague has been guilty of extreme cruelty towards your petitioner in this: *" That he has personally assaulted her with great violence, and especially at the house known as 'Canonchet,' in South Kingstown, in the year 1877, in that he entered iher room at night, in a state of intoxication, seized and dragged her to the window, which was in an upper story, and attempted to throw her therefrom. " That in the year 1879 he forcibly laid hands on her and threatened to kill her. " That he has been guilty of continued drunk­ enness. " That since the early part of the year 1879 he has neglected and refused, being of sufficient ability to do so, to provide necessaries for the APPENDIX. 71 subsistence of your petitioner and her children, to wit: In the year 1873, owing to depression in business, the manufacturing and business com­ panies and firms with which said Sprague was connected, and in which he was largely interested, suspended payment and conveyed all their prop­ erty to a trustee for the benefit of creditors, claim­ ing, however, to have a surplus of some $6,000,- 000. That after said conveyance said Sprague at once entered the employ of said trustee and re­ ceived from him a considerable compensation for the services so rendered up to the year 1879, a part of which was applied and paid by said trus­ tee for the support and maintenance of your pe­ titioner and her children. That since the early part of the year 1879, said Sprague, though of sufficient ability, has refused to earn any money whatever, though said trustee was ready and wil­ ling to employ him and continue said occupation, and said Sprague has since lived in idleness, and though of sufficient ability to do so, has neglected and refused to contribute in any way for the sup­ port of your petitioner and her three daughters, whereby your petitioner, since the early part of 1879, has been deprived of the moderate provision she had theretofore received through said trustee for the subsistence of herself and children. " That said Sprague has been guilty of other acts of misbehavior and wickedness repugnant to and in violation of the marriage covenant, in this: " That he has repeatedly applied the vilest and most opprobrious epithets to your petitioner, both alone and in the presence of others. " That he has threatened to kill her. " That he has broken up and destroyed the furniture in their house, at one time collecting bedding and furniture in the night time and mak­ ing a bonfire of the same. " That he has often said to his children that he 72 APPENDIX.

was not their father, and that the)" were not his children. " That he has repeatedly falsely accused your petitioner of gross improprieties with other men, sometimes one man, sometimes another. " That he has intercepted and returned letters addressed to your petitioner by her counsel. " That in August, 1879, while your petitioner and said Sprague were at said Canonchet, he re­ fused to allow her friends, including her legal adviser, to see her. " That he at said time refused to permit your petitioner to leave said house to go anywhere with her said children, and sought to imprison her and them therein. "That from the year 1865 to the year 1875, said Sprague frequently attempted to have crim­ inal intercourse with the female domestics and guests in the family, causing them to leave the house. ".That prior to February, 1877, said Sprague, by indecent advances to female servants, and other violations of decency, which had increased in fre­ quency and enormity, had made said residence at South Kingstown an unsuitable abode for your petitioner and her children, and your said peti­ tioner did in February, 1877, with the assent of said Sprague, leave said house with her three daughters, her son Willie being then absent in Europe. "In the year 1879, urged by said Sprague so to do, your petitioner obtained permission from Zecheriah Chafee, trustee of the property of the corporations and business firms aforesaid, and who was possessed of Canonchet as a portion of the property included in said trust, to occupy said house with her children during the summer months. " That said Sprague urged that by so doing it APPENDIX. 73 would be of material pecuniary benefit to him in adjusting his affairs with his creditors. " That on her way to Canonchet your petitioner remained with her said children on Sunday at Watch Hill, in the State of Rhode Island. " That said Sprague then came to Watch Hill grossly intoxicated. " That he was violent and offensive, and with a stick menaced and assaulted the attendant of said children. On arrival of your petitioner at Ca­ nonchet, by virtue of the permission of said trus­ tee as aforesaid, said Sprague presented himself at that place from time to time, often intoxicated, menacing, wild, and otherwise offensive, and at length assumed authority over and control of said premises. Finally, it became impossible for your petitioner to i emain longer, as said Sprague caused her to fear for her personal safety and that of her children, and even her life. He threatened to carry away her children to Europe. " Influenced by her fears and his threat afore­ said, and as the only escape from indignity .and danger, your petitioner, by the aid of friends, was enabled to fly with her daughters, Ethel, Kather­ ine and Portia, to a place of safety. " That for more than two years last past said Sprague has in every possible way, sought to an­ noy and disturb your petitioner, and to make her life wretched. " That sard Sprague, since he so drove her from Canonchet, has persistently refused to deliver to her her wearing apparel, and that of her children, and that of her servant, and he has refused to permit said property and other personal property belonging to your petitioner, including gifts from her father and friends, and the portraits of her parents, to be delivered to a trustee of the prop­ erty of your petitioner, duly appointed, or to the Sheriff of the said county of Washington, holding a writ of replevin for the same, and has resisted 74 APPENDIX: said officer, and has prevented him from entering the house where said property is situated, by clos­ ing and barring the doors of said house, and has threatened personal violence to any person at­ tempting to take possession of said property or any property of your petitioner there situate. " That having made it impossible for your pe­ titioner to remain at Canonchet as aforesaid, said Sprague has occupied said house as a place of re­ sort for persons of vicious reputation and bad character, consorting with them in revelry and drunkenness, and has allowed the only son of your petitioner and said William Sprague, named Wil­ liam Sprague, Jr., to consort and associate with persons of bad character, and to become addicted to bad habits and idleness, withholding from him all educational advantages, thereby tending to corrupt his morals and vitiate his future life. " Wherefore your petitioner prays, for the causes aforesaid, that she- may be divorced from the said William Sprague, and that the bond of matrimony now subsisting between your petitioner and ^aid William Sprague may be dissolved, and that the custody of their four children, issue of said marriage, to wit: William Sprague, Jr., aged 15 years; Ethel Sprague, aged 11 years; Kather­ ine Sprague, aged 9 years, and Portia Sprague, aged 7 years, may be awarded to your petitioner; and that she may be allowed reasonable alimony out of the estate of said Sprague, and that she may be permitted to resume her maiden name, Kath­ erine Chase, and for such other or further order or decree herein as to your Honors shall seem meet and just. KATHERINE CHASE SPRAGUE. E. H. HAZARD, C H. PARKHURST, attorneys for petitioner. WINCHESTER BRITTON, of counsel.