Evening star., 1902-09-13


To Washington.
ing Star yesterday, came as a shock to the
community. Although it was known that
he was critically i'll, it was hoped by his
friends that he would withstand the attack
and live to return to the city he had done
SO much to improve and beautify. None
ever contemplated his death in that far-off
land. but every one looked forward to his
return and again becoming a resident Of
Washington.
The distance of the hacienda where he
died from the nearest telegraphic station
is quite great, and Mr. Grant Shepherd
who is at Bleak House first learned of his
fathers death through the dispatch sent
by his oldest brother to Mr.. Noyes and
subsequently published in The Stars post
script.
Whether, when Mrs. Shepherd and Dr.
and Mrs. Merchant arrive at Batopilas, 1t
will be determined to bring the remains on
to this city for burial or whether inter-
ment will be made In Mexico, is matter
of conjecture. No one here can give any
definite information. Beside Grant Shep-
herd, the relatives of the late governor now
in the city are DR.. w. P. Young and his
family and Mr.. Andrew Y. Bradley, a
nephew the widow of the late Justice
Bradley and the remainder of the family
being away for the summer.
The Governors Career.
Ex-Gov. Alexander r. Srepard, to whom
was due more than to any other one man
the regeneration of the national capital
was born and bred in this city. His father
died when he was quite young and left a
widow and four boys, of whom Alexander
or Alec, as he was familiarly called was
the eldest. When quite a youth he was
compelled to aid in the support of his moth
er and brothers, and he first entered
store as an errand boy. Afterward he went
into the plumbing establishment of John
w. Thompson & Co. as clerk, and sub
sequently became chief bookkeeper, and
afterward. ON the retirement Of Mr.. Will
liam Thompson. became partner in the
firm. His business sagacity was shown
with this firm, and he was a decided factor
in the prosperity of the establishment. He
subsequently started in the plumbing busi-
ness himself and became quite successful,
erecting building on the south side of
Pennsylvania avenue between 9th and 10th
streets which was entirely devoted to his
business.
Interested in Welfare Of the City.
He early became interested in the prog
ress and welfare of the city Of Washington
and was elected a member Of the common
council in 1860. Subsequently he was elect
ed to the board of aldermen and was presi-
dent of that body when the territorial act
was passed. In his services in the munich
pal councils he was always looking to the
advancement and Identification of the city
and any bill looking in that direction re-
ceived his active support. He was loyal
at the outbreak of the war of the rebellion
and enlisted in the National Rifles, serving
for three months with that organization
After the war, when the population of
Washington had greatly increased and
there was good deal of dissatisfaction
during the mayoralty of Sayles J. Bowen.
Mr.. Shepherd Joined in the citizens, move
metn which elected Matthew G. Emery as
mayor in 1870 Mr.. Shepherd Thought.
however, that something better than two
municipal governments that OF Georgetown
and the city of Washington. was needed ia
order to place the District of Columbia in.
the position that It ought to hold as the
seat OF the national government. and ne
was an active member OF the citizens' COM