Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-03-23
SIBERIAN NOT DEAD.
Washington Stirred Up Over a
False Report Of His Death.
He IS EXPECTED NOW 10 RECOVER.
III. News OF jam sherman. re tth Took
Many Friends Ia thr .h~rman Mansion
In Washington Many Kilograms Of
Coincidence Were Also kecrived.

Coincidence Were Also kecrived.
Washington, March 90. Seldom mas
official Washington been more com
pletely stirred by conflicting emotions
than it was yesterday by the announce
ment, first OF the death OF Hon. John
Sherman and then by the contradc-
ton of the report which came few
hours later the one giving IA relief
which was as marked as was the sor-
row produced by the other. The FIRST
report which came from New York
was received at two o'clocx in the af-
lernoon and was circulated in the de-
partments just before they closed for
the day Ihe announcement seemed
to follow naturally the other cable
grams of the day stating that the ven
cradle statesman's condition had
grown worse since Monday and there
was universal expression of regret
and, in many cases, OF personal distress
over the news Cabinet ministers,
senators and members Of the house ex-
pressed deep sorrow, speaking not only
in terms OF admiration and respect for
the ex-senator's public career, but
dwelling with loving kindness upon
his personal character.
The contradiction Of the first report
did not arrive until $3.50 o'clock. 1t
came to the Associated press in the
shape of a positive statement from
Santiago made in the knowledge that
the report Of the senator's death had
been circulated This dispatch was
Immediately given as wide circulation
in the city as it was possible for it to
receive at that hour. Secretary Hay
was placed in possession of copy of
the dispatch, as was also Mr.. Sher-
mans family.
The news Of the reported death Of
Mr.. Sherman took many persons,
friends and others, to his home on X
street Among others who were con-
gregated there when the reporter Of
the Associated press called were the
two former secretaries OF Senator
Sherman-Mr. Babcock and Mr. Vaille
as we'll as Miss Kate Wilcox, a
niece, and Mrs. Col. Charles Hoyt,
whose husband was a cousin Of Sena.
tor Sherman's. They and others pre-.
sent read the dispatch stating that the
senator was still alive with tremulous
joy.
The reading Of the glad message
had scarcely been concluded by those
present when Mrs. McCullom, the
ADOPTED dauphter Of Senator and Mrs.
Sherman, burst into the room, &C.
companied by the daughter Of Gen.
Miles, They had received the news
through telephone message from the
Associated press while at Gen. Miles
house and had hurried over to impart
it to the rest Of the family. ut has
been trying day." said Mrs. McCul-
lom, but all is well again" Indeed,
there were heartfelt rejoicings and
thanksgivings on the part Of those
who had assembled at the house when
they realized that it was true that the
invalid was better and might be re.
stored to them.
Mrs. Sherman is the one person OF
the senator's household who suffered
neither from the first announcement
or rejoiced over the second. She was
not informed Of either. Mrs. Sherman
has been quite ill from paralytic at
tack for several months and had never
been informed even of the senator's
serious illness, for fear of its effect
upon her. 1t was felt when the news
of his death came yesterday that it
would have to be broken to her, but
all hcsitated to make the announce.
ment. 1t was ultimately decided to
postpone the sad duty until the next
day. She was thus saved the shock.
Already many kilograms Of coincidence
and personal calls of sympathy have
been received at the house.
When the report of Mr. Sherman's
death was first circulated an Associa.
ted press reporter called at the Sher-
man residence He was received by
Mrs. McCullom, who was asked If the
report was confirmed She said: "Yes;
! have heard from the state depart
ment that he is dead" Mrs. McCul-
lon added that she did not know
where the state department received
this information.
Prompt efforts were taken by the
Associated press to inform the promi.
nent officials of the administration and
Others of the safe arrival Of Mr. Sher-
man at Santiago and it was with
feeling Of genuine qualification and
satisfaction that this news was supple
mented by an expression of hope that
Mr. Sherman would entiralv raoova-