The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-22
Nobody Knows Where the
Story Of His Death
Came From.
HIS FAMILY REJOICES
Mrs. Sherman Alone Was Not Told
the First and Most Alarming
Story,
Special Dispatch to The Call

- ANTIAGO DE CUBA, March
21, z p. m.-There is no truth
in the statements published in
the United States, and cabled back
here, representing that John Sher-
man is dead:
1t is incomprehensible how these
reports originated. The American line
steamer Paris, Captain Frederick
Watkins, 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
well, to the United States cruiser
Chicago on Thursday. The cruiser is
now coaling at Kingston, Jamaica
WASHINGTON, March 2L-Seldom
has official Washington been more
completely stirred by conflicting emo
tions than it was to-day by the an
nouncement, first Of the death of Hon.
John Sherman. and then by the con-
tradiction Of the report which came a
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 statesman's condition had
grown worse since yesterday, and there
was a universal expression Of regret
and in many cases, of personal dis
IreSS 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. It
came TO the Associated Press in tha
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 I'M
mediately given as wide circulation IN
the city as it was possible for It to re-
ceiye at that hour. Secretary Hay was
placed in possession of copy of the
dispatch, as were also Mr.. Sherman's 8
family.
"A most marvellous condition of af-
fairs" 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 home on K
street Among others who were con-
gregated there when the reporter OF
the Associated Press called were the
former private secretaries OF Mr. Sher-
man Mr. BabcOck and Mr.. Vale, as
well as Miss Kate WllIock, a niece AM anu
Mrs. Colonel Charles Hoyt, whose hus-
hand was a cousin of Senator Sher-
man. They and others present 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
6aughter of Senator and Mrs. Sherman,
hurst into the room, accompanied by
the daughter of General Miles. Ihey
had received the news through tele-
rhone message from the Associated
Press while at General Miles house
e1d had hurried over TO impart it to
the rest of the family
ut has been a trying day said Mrs.
NfcCullom, but all is well again.
Indeed there were heartfelt TeJolclhss
and thanksgivings on the part OF those
11-To had assembled at the house when
they realized IL was true that the in
<-aIi6 was better and might be restored
10 them. -.
aX-SRnaIOTS nOuSCHOlh VIM sumo ~
neither from the first announcement OF
Teioiced over the second. She was not
informed of either. Mrs: Sherman has
baar1 oufte i'll from a stroke OF para Iysls
for several months and had not been
informed of the ex-Senator's illness ,I f9I
fear of it's effect upon her. 1t was felt
when the news of mis- death came to-
Gav | that it would have TO be broken
to her, but all hesitated to make the
announcement It was ultimately de-
cida1 TO postpone the sad duty until
to-morrow. She was thus saved the
shock - - ~
5olence and personal calls of sympathy
had been received at the house
Prompt efforts were taken by the
Associated Press to inform the prom
3nent officials of the administration and
others of the safe arrival Of Mr.. .s,,, sher,
nan at Santiago, and 1t was with a
toIi,,eT ~ genuine qualification and sat
isfaction that this news was received,
Supplemented by an expression, OF hope
that Mr.. Sherman would entirely re-