Evening star., 1902-09-15
TWO UNTIMELY DEATHS.
Mrs. Senator Stewart and Governor
Shepherd,

To tire Editor of The Evening Star:
The death Of Mrs. Senator Stewart was
shock not only to myself, but will be so
to her other relatives and many friends in
this city and in Virginia She was a wo-
man of many admirable qualities of mind
and character. She had business talent
superior to that of most men. Very few
men, in fact, have as much business talent
as she had. She wGs perfectly sincere and
candid In all the relations of life. At one
time having large means, she maintained
an elegant hospitality at Castle Stewart"
as it was called, and her entertainments
were among the most beautiful and agree
able given in Washington. One met there
the leading men of the country and the
most distinguished and influential persons,
but she was careful to invite not merely
the fortunate and wealthy. but also her
poor kindred and friends. She did not make
the length of purse the passport to her
hospitality, but those people possessing no
wealth were just as good as the prominent
people whom she invited and she knew It.
She was always ready to do a kind act for
the poor and needy, and particularly for
her own kindred and friends. Her enter
tainments reminded me of the old days Of
Washington society, when long purse and
the speaking of broken English were not
the passports to social prominence. Not
the least unfortunate result Of this calam-
ity Is the blow to her husband, who has
been such friend to this city.
A Very Remarkable Man.
I deeply regret the untimely death Of
| Gov. Shepherd. He was very remarkable
man. He owed nothing to the accidents Of
birth and fortune. An old Spanish proverb
| says that every man is the son of his own
works" and this is eminentiy true Of Gov.
| Shepherd. He began early in life to work
| and to fight out his career In every en-
| ployment he showed ability. energy and
| force. l think that he could have succeeded
| in almost anything that he undertook.
| While he lacked the education of books he
| had the education of toll and struggle. He
| had executive talent in eminent degree.
He was not man of talk or OF oratory,
| but man of action. When he became the
| controlling factor on the board Of public
works he followed out a well-defined
! He was impetuous and perhaps too radical
| In his movements. Some of us certainly
| thought so, but on the other hand We may
| have been too conservative. He was sharp
| ly criticised by many citizens. but was on
| the other hand warmly supported by some
| Of the best men in the community. Some
journalists-myself among the number
criticised his work and methods severely
| l am quite sure, however, that we did not
| do him full Justice. We thought he was
| very extravagant, and I am not now pre-
douot his aim was to beautify and develop
| Washington and to make 1t the most beau
| tiful capital in the world. He made some
| errors of administration His wooden pave
1 mentS were not a success, but at that Time
| everything was tentative and experimental
! and since that time some of the leading
| capitals Of Europe have adopted wooden
| pavements and made them successful. 1t
| was probably due to Gov Shepherd that
| the excellent rule was adopted that Con-
gress. which owns one-half of the territory
| or area of the city. should pay one-half Of
| the expenses. This had not been accom-
| plished or recognized before. l do not think
that he originated the idea Of the pres mt
| system of sewerage, but he did much 20
| develop and promote the system which now
| obtains. 1t was in his administration that
| the parking system. which is now such a
| beautiful feature Of Washington, was be-
| gun. and this has done much to attract
| here people OF wealth and distinction
| l do not think that, in his government
| of the District, he had any such petty mo-
tives as love of power or distinction or the
| dispensation Of patronage. 1 think his aim
| was mainly to put the city in the position
that he thought 1t should occupy and to
| identify his own name with its improve
| ment, and 1t was an honorable ambition
| The opposition to him was very powerful
| and finally the District government was
| abolished and a new form substituted
| Governor Shepherd some years after went
| to Mexico to take charge of a large silver
| mine there.
| A Man Of Wide Abilities.
| 1 think he was fitted for almost any
| branch OF business. He would have made
/ a great railroad president: he would have
| made great military commander IL in
early life he had had the military train
ing and practice. He had executive ability
| In a very marked degree. / think 1t was
six or eight years ago that he came back
to Washington, and, without any refer