The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-22
EFFECT OF THE FALSE REPORT.
Officials and Others Did Not Question
Truth of the Rumor.


Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 21.-The statement
In dispatcL from Caimanera, Cuba, printed
In the New York Telegram this afternoon
and telegraphed over the country that John
Sherman had died of pneumonia on board
the American line steamer Paris while en-
route from Kingston. jamaica. was ac-
cepted here as true. Last night Mr.. Sher-
man was reported as not expected to live,
and when the announcement Of his death
came through responsible news association
no one here doubted its authenticity. The
supposed death OF Mr.. Sherman was dis
cussed In the departments, in the clubs,
hotels and other public places, and many
tributes were paid 10 the Ohio statesman.
Members Of the diplomatic corps who knew
Mr.. Sherman when he was secretary of state
cabled the report OF his death to their gov
ernments, and Secretary Hay prepared an
announcement TO be cabled to the diplomatic
and consular officers OF the United States
abroad. Mr.. Hays cablegram contained a
brief eulogistic sketch OF Mr.. Sherman's
career and ordered the officials 10 display
the United States flag at half mast over
their embassies and consulates for a period
OF ten days. When the news came tonight
from Santiago de Cuba that Mr.. Sherman
was alive and likely to recover Secretary
Hay stopped the cablegrams.
An Associated Press dispatch gays: Sell
dom has official Washington been more
completely stirred by conflicting emotions
than it was to-day by the announcement
first, OF the death of Hon. John Sherman,
and then by the contradiction of the report
in a few hours. the one relief which was
as marked as was the sorrow produced by
the other. The first report, which came
from New York, was received at 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 other cabegrams of the day
stating that the venerable statesmans con-
dition had grown worse since yesterday
and there was a universal expression of re-
gret and. in many cases. of personal dis
tress, over the news. Cabinet ministers, SEN
ators 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.
The contradiction Of the first report did
not arrive until $50 o'clock. Ii came to the
Associated Press in the shape of 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
fn the city as IL was possible for 1t to re-
ceive at that hour Secretary Hay was
placed in possession OF a copy of the dis
patch. as was also Mr.. Sherman's family.
"a most marvellous condition of affairs"
remarked the secretary. 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 house, on X street. Among
others who were congregated there when
IL reporter of the Associated Press called
were two former private secretaries OF Sem
ator Sherman. Mr.. Babcock and Mr.. Vale.
as well Miss Kate Wilcox. a niece. and
Mrs. Col Charles Hoyt, whose husband was
a cousin OF Senator Sherman. They and
others present read the dispatch stating
that the senator was still alive with trem-
ulous joy.
The reading OF the glad message had
scarcely been concluded by those present
when Mrs. McCollum, 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 telephone message from the AS
sociated Press while at General Miles's
house and had hurried over inpart il TO
the rest OF the family. 1T has been a try
ing day. said Mrs. MecoIlum. but all is
well again. Indeed, there were heartfelt
rejoicings and thanksgivings on the part OF
all those who had assembled at the house
when they realized IL was true that the
invalid was better and might yet be re-
stored 10 them.
MRS SHERMAN NOT INFORMED.
AIRS. sherman is the one person OF the
ex-senators household who suffered neither
from the first announcement or rejoiced
over the second. She was not inforsoed OF
either. Mrs. Sherman has been quite III
from paralytic attack for several months.
and bad usyer been infarmsd svsn OF ths