The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-09-25
DEATH or BOSS SHEPHERD

The Man Who Once Ruled tn,
I Nation's Capital With arr Eros
Rod.
Private advices from Batopilas
Mexico, bring tidings of the death on
the l2th inst. of Alexander r.. Shep
nero, who was at one time very much
hated by the prosperity owners of
washington, ID. c., but on a visit there
TWO years ago after long absence he
was received with marked courtesy
anu distinction. Mr.. Shepherd was
vice president Of the board of the pub. =.
nc works of tho District of Columbia
during the territorial government of
tho district IN 1871 and two years later
Governor of the district. He was 67
years Of age. rho cause of his death
was perltonitis, brought on by an
attack of appendicitis.
Gov. ShepL nd, as the executive
officer of tho board of public works, in
spite OF vigorous opposition, began and
successfully continued improvements
IN all parts OF the city, with the result
that Washington became q magnificent
capital. TO the Governor is given
credit for nipping in the bud project
for the removal of the capital to some
Western city, which was warmly
agltatcd at one time. He leaves a
widow and seven children,
Alexander r.. Shepherd was born in
washington, January 81, 1886. His
lalhcr dying whcn he was still boy,
young Shepherd, at tho age OF 13 years,
was obliged TO quit school and help
make a living for his mother. He was
apprcntlccd to a carpenter, and after
several years went into the plumbing
business.
Ills education was meager. He had
great confidence in his own Judgment,
however, and know how to manage
men. Mr. Shepherd bought out his
employers plumbing business and
built up trado which brought him q
large income.
lie came into notice in 1862 at the
beginning of the war as n member of
a Washington military company,
known as tho National Rifles. When
his company was dlsbandcd, aftor three
months service, Mr.. Shepherd was
elected member of the council in
Washington. He devoted much of
his time to politics, and by 1870 he
was recognized rs political power.
Washington at that time was city of
swamps and mud banks. The national
capital consisted largely of avenues
and boulcvards on paper. There was
oven talk of removing the seat of
OF government to some place where
there would be less malaria and fever.
IL was necessary that some one
should take charge of the work of i'm
proving tho city. President Grant
appointed Mr.. Shepherd, the plumber,
Governor of the District of Columbia.
From that time Washington had i'm
provcmcnts of all kinds. Tho streets
were torn up, unsightly buildings were
removed, wide avenues were run
through Old estates, splendid public
buildings were erected, complete
system of sewerage was introduced and
the avenues were paved. The faco of
Washington was changed.
The citizens during all this time
were raising indignant protests against
| the lavish expenditure of money.
They accused Boss" Shepherd of
corrupt methods. They said that he
and his ring spent comparatively little
money, but put The bulk of 1t in their
pockets. The TAX rate was going up,
and The citizens of Washington were
dcnouncing Shepherd as second
Boss" Tweed.
Half the expense of improving WASH
lngton was paid by the national govern
mont and the other half by the tax
payers of the city. The administra-
ton stood by everything which "Boss'
Shepherd did. lie turned deaf car to
everyone who camo to him with sug-
gestions. He had his own id .as OF how
Washington should be improved, and
he hold to it to the end. When he
was finally dcposed, in 1874, he had
spent $40, ,000,0 900 and had left tho CITY
OF Washington $27 900 900 in debt.
lie returned to his plumbing bust
ness, and found that during his term
as Governor it had greatly fallen off.
MI. Shepherd failed within year for
nearly million dollars. He went to
work AGAIN, redeemed his fortunes and
paid his creditors. Then he started to
make a larger fortune. He went to
Mexico in 1879. He bought land at
Batopilas and by his indefatigable
energy developed valuable mines. It
is said that he became several times
millionaire.