Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-01-01
SHEPHERDS STROKE.
Famous BOSS" Succumbs to
Apoplexy.
Lost Fortune, but Paid Up and
Made Anot Their.

BATOPILAS, Mex, Dee. 30-AleX ander Il.
Shepherd. formerly Of Washington, ID. C.,
has suffered u stroke Of hpopIcNy and his
condition is critical. boss shepherd came
here from Washin StOn in 1879 to re coup his
fortunes in mining. He made lucky strikes
and is now worth several million dollars.
This place is in the heart of the Sierra
Madres. 225 miles from the nearest railway
point. Alexander Il. Shepherd WAS born in
Washington on Jan. 81. 1885. His parents
were of Maryland stock. His father died
when Alexander was hoy. and when
the latter was l3 wears old he was
obliged to quit school and help make
a living for his mother. lie was appren-
ticed to n carpenter, and after several years
went into the plumbing business. His edu-
cation was meagre. He had great confidence
in his own Judgment, however. and knew
how to manage men. He bought out his
employers plumbing business, and built up
trade which brought him IA large income.
He came into notice in 1862, ut the begin
ming of the war, AS member OF the WASH
ington artillery company, known us the
National Rifles. When this company was
disbanded after three months service, Shep-
herd was elected u member OF the council
in Washington. He devoted much of his
time to politics, and by 1870 he was recog-
ton at this time was city OF
swamps and mud banks. 1t consisted
Of avenues and boulevards On paper. 1t was
necessary that some one should take charge
of the work of improving the city. There
was even talk OF removing the seat OF gov
eminent TO some place where there would
be less malaria and fever. President Grant
appointed Mr.. Shepherd governor of the Dis
trict Of Columbia. From that time Wash
ington had improvements Of all kinds. The
streets were torn up, unsghtly buildings re-
moved, wide avenues We're run through old
estates, splendid public buildings We're
erected n complete system of sewerage was
introduced and the avenues were paved.
The face of Washington was changed.
The citizens were during all this time
raising indignant protests against the
lavish expenditure of money. They ac-
cused Boss Shepherd Of corrupt meth
DDS. They said that he and his ring
spent but little money, but put the bulk OF
il into their pockets. The tax rate was
going up. and the citizens of Washington
were denouncing Shepherd rs second
Gloss Tweed Hall of the expense of i'm
proving Washington was paid by the ma
tional government and the other half by
the taxpayers of the city. The administra-
ton stood by everything which Boss
every one who came to him with sugges-
tons. He had his own idea of how WASH
ington should he improved, and he held it
to the end. When he was finally deposed
in 1874 he had spent SAC, 900. 900 and had left
the city of Washington $4,000, 900 in debt.
He returned to his plumbing business.
He found that during his term as gov
ernor it had greatly fallen off. He failed
within year for nearly million dollars.
lie went to work again. redeemed his for
tunes and paid off his creditors. Then he
started to make IL large fortune. He came
to Mexico and bought land. and by his in
defatigable energy has developed valuable
mines. He started IL different companies
and has become several times a millionaire.
He established himself upon beautiful
estate and has lived like prince. He re-
turned to Washington some time ago, and
was received with Il show of cordially by
those who had called him the head Of a cor
ruUt ring.