The age-herald., 1899-03-23
JOHN SHERMAN IS
 MUCH IMPROVED Able to B0 Removed from His Cabin
 to tho Deck. FRENCH CABLE COMPANY Responsible for the Unfortunate Report
 Of His Death.
BENCH CABLE COMPANY
HE AMERICAN SIGNAL OFFICER
Was Blamed for the Blunder, But He Was Afterward Exonorated-Mrs.
 Wood Postponed Reception on Account of Report.

Santiago, de Cuba, March 22.-Owing to the supposed authenticity of the report re- ceived here from Captain Leigh, the chief signal officer, regarding the alleged death of John Sherman, the former secretary of state, the weekly reception of Mrs. Wood, the wife of General Leonard Wood, was postponed yesterday afternoon.
 After the arrival of the American line steamer Paris at Santiago, and the an- nouncement that there was no truth in the reports of the death of MT. Sherman, word was sent out that Mrs. Wood would re- ceive. It was too late, however, to obtain the services of the band. In spite of this fully 200 passengers from the Paris were present at tho reception.
 When the Paris came in those on board of her noticed that the flag flying from Moro Castle at the entrance of the harbor, was at half mast, and it was inferred by the passengers that some important per sonage was dead Their surprise was great when told. on being reached by tug, that a report was current that MT. Sherman was dead.
 Bad Quarter of an Hour
 Captain Leigh gave the signal officer at Guantanamo bad quarter of an hour.
 The men on duty there explained that they had received the alleged news of MT. Sherman's death from the French Cable company, and supposing it to be correct, sent an official confirmation, as they had no cause to doubt the authenticity of the report.
 The announcement of MT. Sherman's death obtained so much credence here that General Wood even had a cable dispatch written asking the author. ties at Washing ton for instructions as to the special hon. ors they were desirous of paying to the re- mains of the ist.nguished statesman, but before the message was sent the Paris ar rived here and everybody was pleased to hear MT. sherman, instead of being dead, was improved in health.
 A bulletin issued last night by Mr. Sher- mans physician said the dist nguished pa tient had considerably improved and was reganing strength
 MT. Sherman at this hour Q0 a. m.) con tinues improving and will be removed from his cabn on deck this afternoon for an hour.
 Wood Visits sherman
 General Wood is now on board the Paris paying a visit to Mir. Sherman. The city is full of tourists who have landed from the American liner.
 It now turns out-respecting the unfor- tunate report of MT. Sherman's death, which is the main topic of conversation here today, that the announcement was made by the French Cable company and the signal corps within ten minutes of each other. When Captain Leigh, the chief signal officer, ascertained that the report was erroneous, he immediately communi- cated with the Guantanamo station to dis cover the cause of the blunder. The man in charge of the station replied that, hav- ing received a message of inquiry as to Mir Sherman's health, and not having any information, he himself visited the man. ager of the French Cable company, who assured him that the report of death was well founded Thereupon he teegraphed a confirmation of the rumor, having no req son to doubt the assurance given him. The French Cable companys officials here claim to know nothing of the matter.