Evening star., 1899-03-22
REPORT WAS FALSE
Washington UnhappiIy Stirred by
Inaccurate Dispatches.
MR.. SHERMAN AT SANTIAGO
9es Aes {
Arrived at the Cuban Port Yester-
day in improved Condition.
-
WILL. GO ON THE CHICAGO

announcement first of the death of John
Sherman and then by the contradiction of
the report which came a few hours later,
the one giving a relief which was as mark
ed as was the sorrow produced by the
| other. Il
The first report which came from New
York was received about 3 o'clock in the
afternoon, and was circulated in the de-
partments just before they closed for the
day. The announcement seemed to follow
naturally the previous cablegrams stating
that the venerable statesman's condition
had grown worse since Monday, and there
was a universal expression of regret and
in many cases of personal distress over the
news. Cabinet ministers, senator's and
members of the House expressed deep sor-
row, speaking not only in terms of admira-
tion and respect for the ex-senat tors 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 pm. 1t came
to the Associated Press in the shape of a
positive statement from Santiago made in
the knowledge that the report of the ex-
senator's death had been circulated and
was as follows
Report of Death Denied.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA. March 81 I
p.m-There is no truth in the statements
published in the United States, and cabled
back here, representing that John Sherman
is dead. 1t is incomprehensibIe how these
reports originated.
THE American Line steamer Paris. Capt
Frederick Watkins, arrived here this even
ing before dark, and il was Immediately re-
ported that Mr. Sherman was not only
alive, but better, resting easily. and expect
ed to recover
He viii be transferred, If all goes favor
ably, to the United States cruiser Chicago
on Thursday. The cruiser Is now coaling
at Kingston, jamaica"
This dispatch was Immediately given as
wide circulation in the city as it was pos
sible for it to receive at that hour Secre-
tary Hay was placed in possession of a
copy of the dispatch, were also Mr.
Sherman's family. "A most marvellous
condition 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,sreported death of Mr.
sherman took many persons, friends and
others, to his house on K street Among
them were the two former private secre-
taries of ex-senator Sherman, Mr.. Bah
cock and Mr.. Vale, as well as Miss Kate
whose husband was codsin of ex-senator
Shermans They and eahers present read
the dispatch stating that the ex-senator
was still alive with tun}ultuous joy.
The reading of the glad message had
scarcely been concluded by those present
when Mrs. McCallum, tie adopted daugh-
ter of ex-senator and Mrs. Sherman, burst
er of M2sp pied by the daggh
the news through a felephonic message
from the Associated Press while at Cen
eral Miles house, and had hurried over to
imPart 2a TT 1t TO @ the rest, ofl the family
Acca.ium, but all is well again. 3
tlndeed, there were, Heartfelt rejoicings
ana ana thankssgivings s on sthe part Of all when
they realized it was true that the invalid
was better and might 10 tn
them.
Mrs. Sherman is the one Of the ex-sena-
tors household who neither suffered from
the first announcement nor rejoieed over the
second. She was not informed of either
Mrs. Sherman has been quite i'll from
paraiyuc attack for several months. and
had never been informed even of the ex-
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
hesitated to make the announcement 1t
was ultimately decided to postpone the sad
duty until today. She was thus saved the
shock. Already many kilograms of con-
dolence and personal calls of sympathy
mad been received at the house.
Prompt efforts We're taken by the Asso-
ciated Press to inform the prominent Off
cials of the administration and others of
the safe arrival of Mr. Sherman at San
tiago, and it was with feeling of genuine
qualification and satisfaction that this news
was received, supplemented by an express
sion of hope that Mr.. Sherman would en-
tirely recover.
ReiteratiOn of Early Report.
When the report of Mr.. Shermans death
was first circulated yesterday an Asso-
ciated Press reporter called at the Sherman
residence. He was received by Mrs. Mccall
lum, who was asked if the report was con-
frmed. She said: Yes. 1 have heard
from the State Department that he is
dead Mrs. McCallum added that she did
not know where the State Department re-
ceived this information.
Apparent Confirmation.
About an hour after the first report of
Mr.. Sherman's death came yesterday the
following was received by the Associated
Press:
SANTIAGO DE CUBA. March 21.-The
signal Office confirms the report of the
death of John Sherman, former Secretary
OF state, VINO was a passenger on board
the American Line steamer Paris, now
making tour of the West Indies with a
party of Americans. The Paris left Dai-
quiri, about sixteen miles from this city,
an hour ago, and is expected here every
moment. No details We're obtainable from
the signal service regarding Mr.. Sherman's
DEATH
Even Secretary Hay was msled by the
apparent accuracy Of the statement. He
had, earlier in the day, prepared an an
nouncement of the ex-Secretary's death,
to be cabled to all the ambassadors and
principal legations of the United States
throughout the world, eulogizing Mr.. Sher-
mans career, and directing that the flags
on all the embassies and legations be placed
at half-mast for period of ten days. When
the apparent confirmation arrived he gave
orders that the circular be sent out, it's full
text having been, in the meantime, tele-
graphed to the President Many of the en-
bassies and legations sent the report to
their respective governments. In fact, the
report was accepted everywhere as ac-
curate. 1t, went aR OVER the world and
finally it went back to Santiago.
The Associated .PresS correspondent at
Santiago Immediately wrote and cabled the
bulletin which appears herewith, denying
the reported deathr and stating that Mr.
Sherman was better.
Report From tie Chicago.
Secretary Long received word yesterday
afternoon from Captain Cooper of the
cruiser Chicago, saying that vessel had met
the Paris. on which, ex5secretary Sherman
Is passenger, off Kingston. Jamaica. Cap
tam Cooper's dispatch was as follows:
"CAIMANERA, Cuba, March 21-Met
Paris yesterday off Kingston, bound for
santiago Coal here. Take Sherman on
board Friday
Fearing the harm which might result
from sudden change from the climate of
the West Indies to northern latitude, the