Evening star., 1902-09-12

cause of the dispatcn received by his son
this morning from DR.. Frank Merchant
The dispatch reads:
Latest news from Wagner: Governors
condition more serious. Gradually losing
ground"
The Wagner spoken of is DR.. Wagner
who is Gov. Shepherds son-in-law and also
one of the physicians in attendance, and
the serious import of the dispatch is ap-
! parent.
| The many friends OF Governor Shepherd
who learned from The Star yesterday of mis-
| illness, hoped that the attack was not so
severe as represented and even if he were
suffering from appendicitis that his vigor-
Gus constitution and his indomitable will
| together with the watchful care and skill
| of two physicians, would pull him through
the crisis. The news today, however, weak
ems that hope and the gravest fears are
felt
Expressions of Regret.
Expressions of sincere regret at the gov
ernor's illness are heard on all sides, not
only from those who knew him and who
appreciate his many noble qualities, but
also from the younger men of the COM
munity who only know of Governor Shep-
herd as the man who lifted the city of
Washington out of mudhole and made II
u
states Every one who mentioned the sub
JCct has expressed the hope that the gov
ernor would not pass out of existence IN
the far-off land of Mexico but that he
might be spared to return to the city of his
birth. which he loved so well, which he
dld SO much to regenerate and beauty, and
oe allowed to end his days among his
friends and those who admire his worth
ana many sterling, manly qualities.
Mrs. Shepherd Speeding to Mexico.
in-law, DR.. and Mrs. Frank Merchant, are
speeding TO Mexico as fast as trains can
carry them, but it will be Sunday at the
earliest before they can reach chihuahua,
and then begins the journey by stage and
horseback. Grant Shepherd. the governors
second son, is still at Bleak House and
waiting anxiously news from his stricken
father. DR.. W. p. Young, a brother of Mrs
Shepherd. and his family are deeply inter-
ested, Is is also the family of the late JUS
tice Bradley, whose widow is sister of
Mrs. Shepherd
Probably the Illness of no Washingtonian
would excite more general concern than
that of Gov. Shepherd. lie was brought
into such prominence during the time of
his service as the executive officer of the
board of public works that he became more
widely known not only in this community,
but also throughout the whole country
than any other citizen OF the national capf,
tai.
Mexico many who We're his bitter opno-
nents during the days of the reconstruction
OF Washington have changed their views
and now see that he was the benefactor of
the city and have become among the warm
est admirers of his energy, his industry
and his great ability. These men who now
see their property far exceeding in value
what it ever would have been had Gov,
Shepherd not had the courage and perse-
verance to rebuild the city. are among those
who express the greatest concern for his
welfare and they hope that ne may recover.
Commissioner Macfarland's Regrets.
II regret exceedingly to learn of Gov
ernor Shepard's serious illness and trust
that he may speedily recover. In common
with all the people of the District of Co.
lumbia, / have been hoping that he will
soon be able to return to Washington to
spend the rest of his days. and to receive
a constant expression of the appreciation
of our people for what he did for the Dis
trict as member of the board of public
works and as the second governor.
II think the people of the country gen.
orally now appreciate the work that he did.
and that there is a widespread feeling of
gratitude for it. The life of the . s rict of
Columbia as such dates from the first gov
ernment of the District of Columbia which
was Governor Shepherds work
Before that time the District of Columbia
was only name and the cities of Washing
ton and Georgetown were mere country
towns. Gov. Shepherd saw the posi-
bilities of George Washington plan for the
national capital and began the Improvement
which is to go on until this is the most
magnificent capital In the world. In
very short time he did a very great work
and it will stand for all time his monu-
ment.
THE manner of doing Ii was at times
rough and costly, but that is almost iney-
itahle in any such case. 1t was plow-
ing that he was doing, and he had only a
brief time in which to do it, and his method
was the only practical method. Now that
We see some Of the results and foresee
others, we are ready to overlook whatever
was deficient In the method"