The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-03-22

Mrs. sherman Alone HAD Not Heard
of the Tnlan Dlapntch.

THE REPORT ~ WASHINGTON.
Mrs. sherman Alone HAD Not Heard
OF the False Dispatch.
Washington, March 22.-Seldom has Of
hcial Washington been more completely
s~-ed by conflicting emotions than 1t
was yesterday by the announcement,
first Of the death Of the Hon. John Sher-
man and by the contradiction Of the re-
port which came few hours later the
one giving n relief which was as marked
as was the sorrow produced by the other.
The first report which came from New
York. was received at 3 o'clock in the af-
ternoon. and was circulated in the de-
partments Just before the close for the
day The announcement seemed to fol-
low naturally the other cablegrams Of
the day stating that the venerable states
mans condition had grown worse, and
there was a universal expression of re
gret, and in many cases personal stress,
over the news.
The contradiction Of the first report
did not arrive until $3.50 o'clock. Ii
came in the shape of a positive state
ment from Santiago, made in the knowl-
edge that the report of the ex-senator 5
death had been circulated. This dis
patch was immediately given as wide cir
culatiOn in the city as it was possible
for 1t to receive at that hour. Secretary
Hay was placed in possession of a copy
of the dispatch. as were also Mr.. Sher-
mans family. "a most marvellous con
ditiOn of affairs" remarked the secre-
tary. He then proceeded to express his
great relief that the first news was not
confirmed
The news of the reported death of
Mr.. Sherman took many persons, friends
and others, to his house ON X street.
Among others who were congregated
there when the newspaper reporter call
ed were the two former private secre-
taries of Mr.. Sherman, Mr.. Babcock
and Mr.. Vale as well as Miss Kate
Willack, niece and Mrs Colonel
Charles Hoyt, whose husband was a
cousin OF ex-senator Sherman's. They
and others present read the dispatch
saying the ex-senator was still alive
with tremulous joy.
The reading of the glad message had
scarcely been concluded by those pres
ent than Mrs McCallum, the adopted
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Sherman,
burst into the room. accompanied by the
received the news through telephone
message while at General Miles house
and hurried over to impart it to the rest
of the family.
"It has been a trying day." said Mrs
McCallum, "but all is well again"
Indeed there were heartfelt rejoicings
and thanksgiving on the part of al
those who had assembled at the house
when they realized it was true that the
invalid was better and might yet be re-
stored to them.
Mrs. Sherman was the one person Of
the ex-secretary's household who suf
fered neither from the first announce
ment or rejoiced over the second She
was not Informed Of either. Mrs. Sher
man has been quite i'll from a paralytiC
attack for several months, and had
never been informed even of Mr.. Sher
mans serious Illness for fear of its eff
feet on her. 1t was felt. when the news
of his death came that it would have
to be broken to her, but all hestated tC
make the announcement. 1t was ulti
mately decided to postpone the sad duty
until today. She was saved the shock
Fearing the harm which might re
suit from a sudden change from tn,
| climate of the West Indies to north
ern latitude. the family are considering
the advisability OF having Mr.. Sherman
| taken to Tampa, Fla, for a time. Aftel
remaining there until he is well on th'
road to recovery he can be brought t.
Washington, stopping possibly for somt
days at Fortress Monroe, so as to be
come gradually accustomed to th
| change in temperature.