The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-22
SORROW AND JOY.
Official Circles Deeply Stirred By Con-
ficting Emotions.

Washington, March 21.-Seldom has
official Washington been more COM
pletely stirred by conflicting emotions
than it was today by the announce
ment, first, of the death of Hon. John
Sherman, and then by the contradic-
ton OF the report. which came few
hours later, the one giving a 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 8 O'Clock
in the afternoon, and was circulated in
the departments just before they closed
for the day. The announcement SEEM
ed to follow naturally the other cable
grams OF the day, stating that the ven
cradle statesman's 5 condition had grown
worse since yesterday, and there was a
universal expression of regret, and in
many cases of personal distress over
the news. Cabinet ministers, senators
and members Of the house expressed
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 $50 o'clock. 1t
came to the Associated Press in the
shape of a positive statement from San
report OF the senator's death had been
circulated. This dispatch was immedi-
atefy 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 a, copy Of the dispatchy
as were also Mr.. Sherman's family.
"A most marvellous condition of af-
fairs" remarked the secretary. He
then proceeded to express his great re-
lief that the first news was not con-
firmed.
The news of the reported death of Mr..
Sherman took many persons, friends
and others to his home on K street.
Among others who were cOngregated
there when the reporter of the AssO-
ciated Press called, there were the two
forrnr. private secretaries of Senator
Sherman, Mr.. Babcock and Mr.. Vale, as
well as Miss Kate Wilcox, a niece, and
Mrs. Colonel Charles HOyt, whose hus-
band was a cousin of Senator Sherman.
Thev and other present read the dis
patch stating that the senator was
still alive, with tremulous joy.
The reading of the glad message had
scarcely been concluded by those pres
e1t when Mrs. Cullom, the adopted
daughter of Senator and Mrs. Sherman,
burst into the room, accompanied by
the daughter of General Miles. They
had received the news through a tde-
phone message from the Associated
Press while at General Miles house,
and had hurried over to inpart it to the
rest of the family. 1T has been try
ing day." said Mrs. Cullom, but all IS
we'll again" Indeed, there We're heart
felt reioicings and thanksgivings on the
part of those who had assembled at the
house. when they realized it was true
that the invalid was better and might
he restored to them.
Mrs. Sherman is the one person of
the senator's household who suffered
neither from the first announcement or
reioiced over the second. She was not
informed of either. Mrs. Sherman has
been quite i'll from paralytic attack
for several months and had never been
informed even of the senator's serious
illness. for fear of it's effect upon her.
tt was felt when the news of his death
came today that it would have to be
broken to her, but all hesifated to make
the announcement. 1t was ultimately
decided to postpone the sad duty until
| tomorrow. She was thus saved the
| shock.
Already many kilograms of condo
lerlce and personal calls of sympathy
had been received at the house.
Prompt efforts were taken by the As
sociated Press. to inform the prominent
| officials of the administration and others
| of the safe arrival of Mr. Sherman at
| Santiago, and it was with a feeling OF
! genuine qualification and satisfaction