The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-23
CONTINUES TO IMPROVE
JOHN SHERMAN RESTING EASY
ABOARD THE STEAMER PARIS.
VIII BE Transferred to the Cruiser
Chicago TO-Day-Hovv the Rumor of
His Death Originated.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, March 22.-John
Sherman continues to improve. his condition
being slightly better this evening. He
rested quite comfortably on board the
steamer City of Paris to-day. and expects
TO go on board the cruis n Chicago to-mor-
row. General Wood visited Mr.. Sherman
this afternoon.
Owing 10 the supposed authenticity of the
report received here from Captain Leigh,
the chief signal officer, regarding the al
legged death of Mr. Sherman, the former
secretary of state, the weekly reception of
Mrs. Wood the wife of Gen. Leonard Wood
was postponed yesterday afternoon. After
the arrival of the Paris and the announce
ment that there was no truth in the report
of the death of MIR. Sherman, word was sent
out that Mrs. Wood would receive. 1t was
too late. however, to obtain the service OF
the band. In spite of this fully two hundred
passengers from the Paris were present at
the reception.
When the Paris reached here those on
board of her noticed that the flag flying on
Moro Castle, at the entrance of the har-
bor was at half staff, and it was inferred
by the passengers that some important per-
sonage was dead. Their surprise was great
when told, on being reached by a tug that
a report was current that Mr.. Sherman was
dead. The announcement of Mr.. Sherman's
death obtained so much credence here that
General Wood even had cable dispatch
written asking the authorities at Washing
ton for instructions To the special honors
they We're DESTROYS or paying TO the remains
of the distinguished statesman, but before
this message sent the Paris arrived
here and everybody was pleased to hear Mr..
Sherman. instead of being dead, was i'm
proving in health.
1t now turns out that the announcement
of Mr.. She.man's death was made by the
French Cable Company and the signal corps
within ten minutes of each other. When
Captain Leigh, the chief signal officer, as
certaned that the report was erroneous. he
Immediately communicated with the Guam
tanamO station TO discover the cause of the
blunder. The man in charge of the station
replied that having received a message of
inquiry as to Mr.. Sherman's health, and
not having any information himself, he
visited the manager of the French Gable
Company, who assured him that the report
of MIR. Shermdns death was we'll founded.
1hereupon he telegraphed d continuation or
the rumor, having no reason 10 doubt the
assurance given him. Ine French Gable
Company'S officials here claim TO know
nothing regarding the matter
MIR. Sherman relatives on board the
Paris are naturally very indignant at some
body's blunder, but Captain Leigh considers
that the man in charge OF the Guantanamo
signal Office was entirely justified in accept
ing the statement of the French Cable
Companys manager
The tourists from the Paris are swarming
over the city, after having visited all the
scenes of the fighting which preceded the
equalization. This evening Mrs. Wood, wife
OF the military governor, held her weekly
reception at the palace.