The record-union., 1899-03-23
Expected to Start for Home on the Cruiser
Chicago To-Day.
The Announcement Of His Death
Sent Out From Santiago Due to
a Blunder of Some One in the
Employ Of tho French Gable
Company.

OWING 10 the supposed duln6ntlc report
received here from Captain Leigh, the
Chief Signal Officer, regarding the all
legged death of John Sherman, the form
er Secretary of State, the weekly recep-
ton of Mrs. Wood, the wife of General
Leonard Wood, was postponed yester-
day afternoon. After the arrival of
the American line steamer Paris at
Santiago and the announcement that
there was no truth in the reports in the
death of Mr.. Sherman, word was sent
out that Mrs. Wood would receive. 1t
was too late, however, to obtain the
services of the band. In spite of this,
fully 200 passengers from the Paris
were present at the reception.
When the Paris reached here those
on board of her noticed that the flag
flying from Moro Castle, at the en-.
trance of the harbor, was at half-mast,
and it was inferred by the passengers
that some chief parsonage was dead.
Their surprise was great when told on
being reached by a tug that a report
was current that Mr.. Sherman was
dead.
Captain Leigh gave the signal office
at Guantanamo bad quarter of an
hour. The men On duty there explained
that they had received the alleged news
of Mr. Sherman's death from the
French Gable Company, and supposing
it to be correct, sent an official. con-
firmation, as they had no cause to doubt
the authenticity of the report.
The announcement of Mr. Shermans
death obtained so much credence here
that General Wood even had a cable
dispatch written asking the authorities
at Washington for instructions as to
the special honors they were DESTROYS
of paying to the remains of the distin-
guished statesman, but before this mes
sage was sent the Paris arrived mere,
and everybody was pleased to hear Mr.
Sherman, in stead of being dead, was
improving in health.
A bulletin issued slast night by Mr.
Sherman's physician said the disiin-
guished patient had considerably i'm
proved, and was regaining strength.
1t now turns out, respecting the UNI
fortunate report of Mr.. Shermans
death. which is the main topic of con-
versati N to-day, that the announcement
was made by the French Gable Com
pany, and the Signal Corps within ten
minutes of each other. When Captain
Leigh, the Chief Signal Officer ascer-
tanned that the report was erroneous, he
Immediately communicated with the
Guantanamo station to discover the
cause of the blunder. The man in
charge of the station replied that hav-
ing received a message of inquiry as to
Mr.. Shermans health, and not having
any information himself, he visited the
manager of the French Cable Company,
who assured him that the report of the
death was well founded, Thereupon he
telegraphed a confirmation of the ru-
NOR, having no reason to doubt the as
Surance given him. The French Gable
Company's officials here claim to know
nothing regarding the matter.
Mr.. Sherman's relatives on board the
Paris are naturally somewhat indig-
nant at somebody's stupendous blunder,
but Captain Leigh considers that the
man in charge of the Guantanamo sig
nal office was entirely justified in ac-
cepting the statement of the French
Gable Company's manager.
Mr.. Shermans condition this evening
continues about the same. He rested
quite comfortably throughout the day,
and if anything is somewhat better He
expects to go on board the United Stat
cruiser Chicago tomorrow
Meanwhile the tourists are swarming
over the city, after having visited all
the scenes of the fighting which pre-
ceded the capitulation. This evening
Mrs. Wood, wife of the Military Gov
ernor, is holding her weekly reception
at the palace.
Early this morning the gunboat Bara-
Goa, formerly of the Spanish navy, and
recently raised from the bottom of the
Mayai River, arrived here under COM
mand of Ensign Lisle.
WASHINGTON. March 22.-Mrs. Nc
Callum, daughter of the Hon. John
Sherman, received cablegram from
Mr. Wiberg, who is accompanying the
former Secretary of State on his tour
of the West Indies announcing Mr.
Sherman's continued Improvement The
Chicago VII probably arrive at Santiago
tonight, and if Mr. Sherman and his
friends are still of the same mind, will
take him aboard and bring him home
AS to the landing place it is said by
Secretary Long that the commander Of
the Chicago, Captain Cooper, will be
guided by the wishes of Mr.. Sherman's
family, and if it is desired that he be
taken to some Florida port to avert
danger from a too rapid climatic
change, that course will be adopted If
the Chicago leaves Santiago to-mor-
row, according to the present intention,
she should reach Tampa, if that port
is selected, by Sur day evening, probab v
taking the route by way of Cape An
tonia, to keep in smooth water as far
as possible.