National Republican., 1883-04-30
EX-GOVERNOR SHEPHERD.
Some Interesting Facts About His Work in the
Mexican Mines.
The Great Improvements He Has Made
The wsshingtoniHns with Him.

A REPUBLICAN reporter spent some time
yesterday with Mr.. Lyndon Stevens, who is
tho partner Of Gov. Shepherd in his mining
interests at Batopilas, and Mr. E. s. Maunder,
who has Just returned from the mines.
In Mr. Stevenss Office are samples Of virgin
silver showing the richness Of tho deposits,
and numerous photographs picturing the To-
cation Of the works and showing the immense
amout Of improvement that has been made by
the governor.
"How many Washington people have you
al the mines ~ asked The REPUBLICAN.
"0h, we have quite good many. There
is Will Shepherd, William II. Hoffman,
Samuel and John Young, DR.. and Mrs.
Ross, Alex: Merchant, Mr.. and Mrs; Still
son, +. w. A. Jorgensen, Howard Ny
man, Charlie Cunningham and his son,
Robert Cowell, and q colored man by the name
of Walker whom took down with me-"
"Aro they pleased with the place"
"The climate is delightful and there Is no
inconvenience from the weather except during
the rainy season, and then tho rain pours in
torrents. You will remember that last year
portion Of the old wall about the hacienda
was washed out by the torrent pouring down
the mountain Then the scenery Is the
grandest that you ever witnessed. We are
located in valley, with high mountains all
around us, and some Of thom rise from the
ground almost perpendicular, aweing one by
their massive grandeur"
How much work has the governor done,
then2"
"Well, IL is hard to say. He has constructed
n railway that is very nearly mile in length
from the San Miguel mine, which is the prin-
cipal one to the hacienda he has built wall
about the hacienda 800 feet in length, 8 feet
thick at the base aud 4 feet at the top, and ID
feet in height; he has erected one fifteen
stamp mill, and Is putting UP another of the
same capacity, besides two or three smaller
ones, and he has made improvements in the
hacienda which have completely astounded
the Mexicans, who had never seen man Of
his energy and perseverance, before. .up-
pose million dollars have been spent on these
improvements"
"How many mines has the governor in
operation2"
"He has twelve, I think now; but, as 1 said,
the San Miguel is the principal one. It's there
where VIC employ the largest number oil labor
ers."
"Do you find any difficulty in securing
labor?"'
"Yes; that is our main difficulty. You see
we can get only the poems. They go into the
mines absolutely naked, except the breech
cloth, and we have TO search them closely
when they come out to see if the rascals have
any silver concealed about them"
Z" If they are naked, or nearly so, how can
they conceal any silverW
"You have no idea Of the ingenious de-
vices they have for stealing. Here" said NJ r.
Maunder, pulling piece of ore nearly the
size of an egg from his pocket, "isa piece that
was taken from n peon. He was examined
by the seareher, and was about to be pro-
nounced all right when noticed peculiar
motion of his mouth, and l asked him a
question. He hesitated in answering, and
the searcher made him open his mouth, and
then took out this piece"
"How many men do you employ?'
"From three to five hundred; someime:
more"
"What do you do Sundays"
"The Mexicans go to Batopilas and gamble
right ON the open plaza We American:
always meet Sunday nights at the governor:
and he reads the service. So, you see, We
keep aliyo our Christian customs"
"When is the governor coming onW
Probably he will leave in about SIXTY
days-may be not so soon. He wants to com
plete some other improvements before he
takes his vacation, and when they are fin
ished he will come TO the states for needed
rest. He has now been there three years
and has done an immense deal of work, as
have shown you, and he deserves some re-
laxation."
"Is it generally healthy thereP"
eyes; we have all enjoyed good health"
" How do you get along with SpanishW
"Well, we have all acquired smatterinl
of the language. The governor talks very
good Spanish, except when he gets excited
and then he reverts to English, which yo,
know he his capable Of handling quite vigor
ously."
" Is the governor going to make money"
"He is, indeed. He will wholly retriev'
his shattered fortunes and come back in n few
years thoroughly master of his own means