The record-union., 1899-03-22
Is Not Only Among the Living But Is Ex-
pected to Recover.
VIII Be Transferred From the
Steamer Paris Tomorrow to the
Cruiser Chicago and Brought
Back Home-OHicial Washing
ton Stirred by Conflicting Re-
ports.

d. m.-There is no truth IN the state
ments published in the United States
and cabled back here, representing that
john Sherman is dead.
1t is incomprehensible how these re-
ports originated. The American line
steamer Paris, Captain Frederick Wat
kins, arrived here this evening before
dark, and it was Immediately reported
that Mr.. Sherman was not only alive,
but better, resting easily and expected
to recover He will be transferred, if
all goes favorable, to the United States
cruiser Chicago on Thursday. The
cruiser is now coaling at Kingston, Ja-
maica.
CONFLICTING REPORTS STIR OF
FICIAL WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March 21.-Seldom
has official Washington been more COM
pletely stirred by conflicting emotions
than it was, to-day by the announce
ment, first OF the death of Hon. Jonn
Sherman, and then by the contradic-
tion 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 3 o'clock
in the afternoon, and was circulated in
the departments just before they closed
for the day. The announcement
seemed to follow naturally the other
cablegrams Of the day stating that the
venerable stateman's 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, Sen
ators 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 $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 a copy If
the dispatch, as We're also Mr. Sher-
mans family. "A most marvellous
condition of affairs remarked the Sec
retary. He then proceeded to express
his great relief that the first news was
not confirmed.
The news of the reported death of
Mr.. Sherman took many persons,
friends and others, to his home on K
street. Among others who We're con-
gregated there when the reporter of
the Associated Press called were the
two former private secretaries of SEN
ator Sherman, Mr.. Babcock and Mr..
Vale. as we'll as Miss Kate Wilcox, a
niece, and Mrs Colonel Charles Hoyt,
whose husband was cousin of Sena-
tor Sherman. They and others pres
ent read the dispatch stating that the
Senator was still alive, with great Joy
The reading of the glad message had
scarcely been concluded by those pres
ent, when Mrs. McCullom, the adopted
daughter of Senator and Mrs. Shsr-
man, burst into the room, accompanied d
by the daughter of General Miles. They
had received the news through a tele-
phone message from the Associated
Press while at General Miles house,
and had hurried over to impart it to
the rest of the family. 1T has been a
trying day. said Mrs. sMcCullom, ''but
all is we'll again.
Indeed, there were heartfelt rejoic-
ings 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 be re-
stored to them
Mrs Sherman is the one person OF
the Senator's household who suffered
neither from the first announcement OF
rejoiced over the second. She was not
informed of either. Mrs. Sherman has
been quite i'll from a stroke of paraly-
sis for several months, and had noi
been informed of the Senator's illness
for fear of its effect upon her. 1t was
felt when the news of his death came
to-day that it would have to be broken
to her. but all hesitated to make this
announcement 1t was ultimately de-
cided to postpone the sad duty unit
Tomorrow She was thus saved tbs
shock Already many kilograms OF
coincidence and personal calls of sympa-
thy had been received at the house.
Prompt efforts were taken by the AS
sociated Press to inform the prominent
officials of the Administration and 9th
ers of the safe arrival of Mr. Sher-
man at Santiago, and it was with &
isfaction that this news was received
supplemented by an expression of hope
that Mr.. Sherman would entirely re-
cover.
When the report of Mr.. Sherman:
death was first circulated to-day al
Associated Press reporter called at tbs
Sherman residence. He was received
by Mrs. McCullom, who was asked i
the report was confirmed. She said
Yes, 1 have heard from the State De
partment that he is dead She. added
that she did not know where the STATE
Department received this information
Secretary Long received word to-day
from Captain Cooper of the cruiser Chi
cago, saying that his vessel had me-
the Paris, on which ex-Secretary Sher.
man is a passenger, off Kingston, ia
{ maica. The Chicago was dispatched
by the Navy Department to bring Mr.
Sherman to the United States immedi
ately, as the Paris was not expected Il
return with her excursionists for some
time. The Chicago. however, did mo-