The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-27
"BOSS" SHEPHERD AS HE IS
Pen Picture of a Noted Man and His
Present Great Enterprise.
The Man Who Made Washington What 1t Is
His Silver Mines in BatOpilas, Mex
leo, and How They Are Worked.

Boston Herald.
A tall, squarely-built and soldierly man, who
might weigh 220 pounds, has been seen in the
corridors of Youngs Hotel during a day
past No man would pass him without
opd glance. His features, like his stalwart
frame. are of heavy mould. The jaw is pom
dercus A pair Of burly brows divide the
steady ewes from forehead broad but low,
over which cliDgs Short croppy hair, whose
natural brown is yet untinged with gray. A
short, thick neck supports the round head,
which seems to disdain to rise far
above the massive shoulders. Every move.
nent is positive. while the firm mouth and heavy
Jaw suggests ageressiveness, energy and determi-
nation. The air is that of q man accustomed to
command The man is Alexander R. Shepherd,
known throughout the length and breadth of
the land as ''Boss" Shepherd. A dozen years
ago his name was ON every tongue, and was
banded about in a manner seldom compliment
ary But of late years he has been buried from
public view in the mines of Mexico, and now
ernerges with the marks of tropical sun upon
his face.
During the forty odd years of his life Gov.
Shepherd was identified with the city of Wash
ington in which he was born about fifty three
years ago, and with whose public institutions he
has been constantly associated. He was
plumber there for some years. and little
service during the war. He thoroughly demon
strated his executive ability during the many
Z
at the capital, and when he became the execu-
tive officer Of tho board of public works of the
territorial government, he had the training OF
long experience and thorough knowledge or
politics and politicians of the district. Then
began those great schemes for the emoellisn.
ment OF the he, city, In which nearly naI d
with which tho name of BOSS" Shepherd is
+ closely identified. Under his direction the
Rrass-Rrown lanes and cutters filled with gar.
bage gave place to maenihcently appointed ay-
enues; nuisances were abated; sewers, gas, parks
provided; public building put up, and the Dis
trict made an attractive place of residence. 1t
Shepherd by Grants appointment. and it was
soon after that the 6rst attacks were made on
BOSS Shepherd and the Washington ring of
corruptionists." When the bill establishing the
new form of government for the District went
into effect, in 1874, Mr.. Shepherds nomination as
one of the commissioners was tabled by the Sen
ate, but Senators Allison. Cameron and ingalls,
o paid warm tributes to his honor and ability. 1t
was found that Governor Shepherd had recog-
nized and provided fgr the great future OF the
city, ana he began to be regarded, not a
malefac;or, but benefactor, which impress
sion has siren gthened as the years have gone by.
He undertook to improve the whole city OF
Washington in the shortest possible time, and
did il. But his personal affairs did not prosper
= and when, in 1876. he was compelled to suspend,
his creditors gave him the management OF his
property, and for three years he was busted in
settling up the estate In the summer OF 1879.
hearing stories of prospective wealth
in the mines of Mexico, his rest
TO go to Chihuahus. to explore the almost mac
cessible mine of Batopilas. This MINING dis
trict was discovered by the early Spaniards
! about the year 100, when silver in abundance
was found upon the surface. Nature has
fashioned the country for the INSPECTION OF the.
miner, the surface being cut into deep gorges as
10 to reveal the buried wealth. Some fifty
years after the discovery Of silver the Marquis
of Bustamonte made his way over the mount
aims and took out millions of dollars worth of
silver Then, journeyng homeward. he pre-
scented the King Of Spain with n million and a
half in cool cash. and filled the ears of gaping
courtiers with tales of fabulous wealth beyond
the Western seas. Bustamonte it was who first
built the works Of St Miguel at Batopilas, and
practically founded the town. one OF the most
picturesque camps in America. He built wisely
and well. and after a century and q half has
elapsed, the Mexican miner lives in the same
substantial adobe buildings which were the
habltations of his ancestors OF i've and six gen.
erations back.
After Spain lost her grip upon Mexico the
mines of Batopilas became less productive The
Mexican lacked enterprise to delve into the
bowels OF mother EARTH and contented himself
with scratching the surface. Many mines
stood idle for a century. and many shaft, be,
coming partly choked by the debris washed
down from the mountain sides, was abandoned
because it's owners dreaded the expense
of putting it in working order. Many
OF the claims overlapped, and the titles were in
dispute. Some twenty-five years ago, however,
Mr.. John Robinson, of New York, formed
company in the United States. bought property
mt Batopilas, and drove q tunnel He found
rich vein on the surface. 1t was soon after TINS
that Governor Shepherd reached the place with.
his partner, Mr. L. II. Stevens, OF New YORK.
He organized the Consolidated Batopilas Silver
Mining Company, and became its resident man
ager. A large amount of silver was soon taken
out and great stimulus given to the work.
Neighhoring properties were purchased, and
various companies organized. which have re-
Gently been consolidated into the Batopilas
Moo o gSS with Of Nsm
York, its president, and Mr. Shepherd its
general manager.
The valley in which the mines are located is
of the most picturesque as well as mac
cessbe in the civilized world Batopilas is 700
miles from FL Paso. Tex. and about 300 from
nsue, which is reached by the Mexican Central
railroad. Leaving the at chihuahua the
traveller bound for Batopilas proceeds over
roads fairly well made as far as Carichic, which
he reaches after two and q half days of staging
Here ne is among the foot hills Of the Sierra
Madre mountains, which tower 10000 feet
above him. AL roads are now at an end and
the traveller mounting Mexican mule, starts
up the trail with the knowledge that 1t Will De
i've and half days before he can reach
the mining camp which Is the mecca
og his journey. II he has heavy baggage he may
expect TO occupy almost three weeks in cove ring
the III miles from Carichic TO Batopilas. After
the has begun. all civilization is left
behind, and no vestige OF dwelling 10 encount-
cred save occasional hut of the Teharuquar
Indian, relic of the old race of cave dweliers.
A curious fellow is this Indian, docile. honest
and harmless, except when on drunken de-
bauch. He raises the little needed
to supply his family and to make liquor
enough to intoxicAte the Indians for
miles around. He shoots well with bow
and arrow, and brings down an occasiona
deer, while stone-throwing he has reduced
10 fine art. When venison is scarce he will
vary his corn diet with birds, lizards, roots and
the fibre OF the century plant. staple article of
food. His dress consists of breschclout and a
blanket, through which hole is cut for tba
head. A shy creature lie this Indian and he will
invariably fly the approach of white man
who. when they reach his hut, will often see the
whole family scurryinR away in tho distance
The brigand occasionally makes his way over
these trails. but he is rare visitor, for the sill
YER trains are too well guarded to make attack
profitable and be contents himself with waylay-
ing stray travellers. Few attempts at robbery
succeed. and the robbers are usually caught
and promptly shot by the Mexican sol
diery In ascending these mountains
may be found all those curious and in
terssting changes in climate and vegetation
which noted in travelling from the tropics