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Sprague Mansion
The boys lay in the oversized, four-poster bed trying to find sleep. But the creaking floorboards, footsteps and doors closing made them uneasy. The house was empty or at least they thought it was. But when the blanket covering them was whipped off them from the bottom of the bed they knew they were not alone. Quickly Robert Jr. reached for the switch on the lamp next to the bed, light flooded the room, uncloaking their teasing intruder. No one was there.
The three boys got up and began a search of the house, stopping first to arm themselves with period piece swords. They searched from basement to top floor, opening every door, closest and cupboard. They found nothing. These events took place at the Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston Street, Cranston, Rhode Island. The mansion is now the location of the Cranston Historical Society. Robert Lynch Sr. was involved in the rescue of this landmark location. However, when restoration was on-going there was no security system to protect the mansion. Robert Jr. was pressed into service. The teen was asked to sleep at the mansion until the security system could be installed. Robert Jr. thought it would be fun and convinced two friends to stay with him. It was a night none of the 3 would soon forget. Robert Jr. continued monitoring the house alone after that first night. He walked the floors with sword in hand and fear at his back. The friend's career as security guard was short lived. He spent one night and that was it! Darkness fell and the boy noted a light in the room called the Doll Room. He went upstairs and turned the light out. As soon as he got back downstairs, the light came back on. He went back up and turned it out again, and again it came back on once he got downstairs. He went through this a couple more times. Then it dawned on him, he was dealing with something of another world. He quickly ran out the door, never returning.
Robert Jr. became more curious. He convinced some friends to hold a séance in the mansion. The boys gathered together, using a Ouija board to contact the ghost(s). They expected the spirit to be that of William Sprague's son, Amasa. Amasa had been bludgeoned to death. The murder was so ugly it would be responsible for the rewriting of Rhode Island's laws.
English immigrant Wm. Sprague built the mansion in 1790. Sprague was involved in the textile industry. Wm Jr., because of his father's power and wealth, went into politics and became governor of the state and later a Senator. Amasa stayed home, tending to the family textile business. A battle rose between Amasa and three brothers named Gordon. The Gordon's owned a store, which they wished to sell liquor in. Amasa was so against drinking, he fought to prevent the Gordon's from getting a liquor license.
The feud became so heated that the Gordon's went after Amasa. He was found later on his own property, dead. Amasa had been disabled with gunshot wounds, and then beaten to death. The Gordon's were arrested. Two of the Gordon's came up with alibis. John Gordon had no alibi and was the only one to be convicted and executed of Amasa Sprague's murder.
Given the history of the mansion, imagine the surprise of the young teens when a message came through their Ouija board from none other than a former butler in the Sprague Mansion. The entity gave his name as Charles, stating he worked in the mansion around 1894. He stated that one of the daughter's of the Sprague family had been romantically involved with him. "My land, my land," the Ouija board spelled out, then quickly spelled out the names Yvonne and Joan. Yvonne was an upstairs French maid and Joan was the daughter of Spragues.
Psychics visiting the mansion confirm the presence of the butler. But add they also feel the presence of Amasa and William Sprague. Whomever it is, they are still restless and still walking the floors of the mansion. The Sprague Mansion is open for tours by appointment only. Take Hwy 95 to exit 16, go west on Park Avenue. Take a right on Cranston Street. The mansion is on the left and well marked.
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