Evening star., 1902-09-13


has given the people of the whole country
new interest In Gov. Shepherd, who is
now generally recognized as the man who
made the new Washington possible.
"A young man of remarkable force and
courage, he did in three years. supported
by President Grant and a friendly Con-
gress, what had to be done to start the ma
tional capital on lines of Improvement that
would make it what George Washington
planned. 1t was a great task: 1t had to be
done hurriedly, and it done roughly
and at times extravagantly. But that is
the only way, apparently, in which such
things are ever done, and we can pardon
all faults in the method for the sake of the
results that We see and foresee.
I'VE owe the government of the District
of Columbia to Gov. Shepherd, as well as
the Improvement of Washington. Before
his time Washington and Georgetown were
like country towns, and the District of Co
lumbia had no executive government. He
gave the District it's proper place between
the states and territories. with all the ad-
vantages that status involves. Gov. Cooke
and Gov. Shepherd were the predecessors of
the Commissioners, and the present form of
government grew out of that of the terri
tory of the District of Columbia, and not
out Of the city governments of Washing
ton, Georgetown and Alexandria.
Col. Biddle, the Engineer Commissioner
of the District, did not know Gov. Shepherd
personally, but said today that from all he
had heard and from what he has seen of
the work accomplished by him he gladly
seconded the tribute paid by Commissioner
Macfarland, and was gratified to have a
part in the adoption of the memorial min
ute, and thus pay token of respect to the
memory of such a man.
Among those at the District building who
knew Gov. Shepherd best is DIR. VIM. Tin
dali, secretary TO the board of Commission
ers. Dr. Tindall was secretary to Governor
Shepherd during his term of office and was
intimately acquainted with all of his plans
and ideas for the advancement of the fed
eral city. DR.. Tindall is at present in Con-
1N,,4 a.,S1 Co., 1a,-c y Dc,
annual vacation. The news of Governor
Shepherds death, 1t is known, will be a
great sorrow to him.
Assistant Assessor Griffin.
Mr.. E. W. w. Griffin, chairman of the
board of assistant assessors, not only knew
Governor Shepherd well, but was appointed
by him of the original twenty-five
assessors to make an assessment upon real
estate in the city of Washington and the
outlying county. Afterward this board was
reduced to twelve members and then to
seven. the latter number representing an
assessor for each ward. Mr.. Griffin ad-
mired Governor Shepherd as man and as
a public official. In speaking of him today
he said that no man in public life ever
possessed greater executive ability than
did the former governor.
Il cannot say enough in admiration OF
Governor Shepherd" said Mr.. Griffin. He
was as honest and upright as the day is
long He had all the best interests of the
District at heart and had great faith in the
improvements he so heroically undertook.
When the people began to fight him 50 and
to condemn him he felt it all quite keenly,
but happily he lived to see these people
change their song and to have. them well
come him back to the capital on the occa-
sion of his last visit here
Assistant Assessor Trimble.
Mr. Matthew Trimble of the board of as
SCISSORS was a member of the legislature
during the time Gov. Shepherd al The
head of the local government. He served
through the famous feather duster'' affair,
which has been so often spoken of in con-
nection with the former style of govern
ment here.
II have always been an admirer of Gov.
Shepherd" said Mr.. Trimble today. "and
in the legislature I was one of his sup
porters. l differed with Gov. Shepherd IN
only thing, and that was that the as
sessments for public improvements should
be paid in five installments instead of one,
as he suggested. I introduced a bill in the
legislature providing for the fve-install-
ment plan and before 1t had come to a
vote Gov. Shepherd sent word that he ap-
proved it.
Gov. Shepherd was one of the greatest
men in this country. Had he lived in one
of the states where the people have suf-
frage he would have come to Congress and
to the Senate, and his power would have
been felt in national affairs. He was
man OF "DuuSTlut dDlliLS anu SDOu JUG
ment. I deeply regret his death. for we
who knew him were looking forward to
once more having him as a resident Of the
District he worked for SO hard"
S. T. G. Morsell.
Mr.. S. T. G. Morsell. also a member Of
the board Of assessors, was a stanch friend
of Gov. Shepherds, although he did not
come into the public service until after
the governor left here. Mr.. Morsell was
a member Of firm which did much of the
contract work for the governor personally.
Il knew him from the time he was a little
boy said Mr.. Morsell today. land the
news of his death is a very great shock to
me. / used to talk over with the governor
many of his plans for improving the city.
I remember that on one occasion, just after
had returned from trip to Europe, l
spoke to the governor about the curbS here
at the corners of streets being square IN
stead of rounded, as they were abroad. he
at once seized upon this as a good scheme,
and ordered the curbs rounded at every
corner. They are rounded now all over the
city. Gov. Shepherd was a grand man. a
man Of wonderful influence and executive
ability. If he had remained resident of
the District he would have been looked to
to lend his services and support in any
legislation desired"
Perry Carson.
Perry Carson, the stalwart colored repub-
lican of the District and janitor at the Dis
trict building, served for a time as messen-
ger to Gov. Shepherd. He was messenger
to Gov. Cooke prior to Gov. Shepherds occu-
pancy of the office and remained as mes
senger to the latter until appointed by him
as janitOr at the old city hall, in which The
courts are now located. Carson carried
forth many of the governors important Or
ders and helped to summon the contractors
and laborers for such of the undert kings
as the demolition of the old Northern Lib
erty market and the railroad tracks in Mis-
souri, avenue.
Major Sylvester.
Major Richard Sylvester: 1T was not un-
til 1871 that Washington began to lie the
beautiful city that it is today. Is i'm
provement was largely due to Alexander
r. She pherd, of whose death We now learn.
The common saying was that Shepherd
lifted Washington out of the mud 1t is
undoubtedly true that to him belongs the
credit for inaugurating and success fully
continuing the vast Improvement made in
all parts of the city Governor Shepherd
was a man of indomitable will and saga
ciOuS foresight, and he determined that the