Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-25
HOW THE END CAME
Circumstances of the Sickness
Of Gov. Shepherd.
HIS FIGHT FOR LIFE
THOSE OF HIS FAMILY PRESENT
AT HIS DEATH.
Temporary Interment in the Cemetery
Of the Hill-Simple but
Impressive Services.


Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
BATOPILAS, Mexico, September ID, 1902.
The writer reached Batopilas on Thurs
day, 4th instant, for the purpose of signing
contract with Gov. A. r. Shepherd, which
had been translated into Spanish, signed by
the governor, and was at the officials
house waiting for me. Then Mr.. E. A.
Quintard, son-in-laW of the governor, pre-
sented me letter from his wife, written at
her fathers suggestion, inviting me to dine
with the governor that day. Circumstances
had prevented a personal meeting with him
for nearly nine years. and on my arrival at
his private quarters at the Hacienda, San
Miguel, as L received his most cordial well
come and felt his hearty, vigorous hand
shake, l was struck with his robust,
healthy appearance, and conversation adj
duced the fact that he felt first rate, and
that he weighed two hundred and forty
seven pounds exactly the same when
one day, twenty-six years ago, while he was
sitting in the governors Office at the
corner of 18th street and Pennsylvania
avenue, the subject of his weight was re-
ferred to.
We had pleasant converse for four and a
half hours At and after dinner his mind
seemed to run upon old times and asso-
ciates, and incidents and occurrences of his
busy and varied life in Washington. His
recollections of the most minute details of
men and affairs was vivid and acute, and
the conversation was replete with interest
to me, more especially as he seemed greatly
to enjoy it. Coming to the present, his
conclusions as to the present generation of
public men and leaders in politics in the
United States were logical, unique and
forceful. All through the interview the
love he held for his former home and
friends seemed predominant, and his inter-
est in all things looking TO the advance
ment of Washington was in evidence. He
referred to the death of Senator Mcmillan
calculated to delay matters somewhat,
but" said he, II am firmly convinced that
the Congress is fast grasping the proper
idea as to it's duty to Washington as the
national capital" He spoke Of his life in
Mexico, of the kindly relations existing be-
tween himself and the Mexican govern
lief in President Diaz and his admnistra-
ton. His personal social relations with
the president seemed to give him great sat
isfaction, and his outlook for the future of
the Mexican republic was optimistic.
AS I bade him goodbye he said: "Now,
when you come down to Batopilas, come
and see us at the hacienda" Little did I
then think that the next advice to come to
the hacienda would be to attend his inter-
ment ten days thereafter.
OF the days succeeding I gather from
some members of the family, Friday and
Saturday, the 9th and 9th, he remained in
his room, not feeling well, and did not care
to be excited Sunday he was up and
about, apparently feeling much better, and
gave some attention to the weekly returns
of the camp as. they were brought to him
by the several chiefs Of departments.