The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-10-23

CONTINUED PROM FIRST PAGE.

NSaliN11D FAOA fRs-rA FaoL
family. The family left here early In the
summer for tie cid homestead at Mans
field. Ohio. They were there but a short
tisae when Mrs. Sherman. whose health
had been very frsil. died.
This was a severe blow to the Secretary,
from which he never fully recovered. He
remained al Mansfield until the middle of
September, when he returned 10 Washing
ton. The Secretary was very much broken
In health and spirits, but for a time was
able 10 move about In the open air and IN
take short rides around the city. For the
past three weeks or more. however, he
had been confined TO his bed, his general
debility being aggravated by an irritating
bronchial cough that FASTENED the end
The news Of Mr.. Sherman's death was
communicated 10 the State Department
by Mr.. E. j. Babcock, for many years
private secretary and clerk 10 Mr.. sher-
nan. In his various capacities as secre-
tsry OF the Treasury. United States Sem
stor. and Secretary Of State, and at pres
ent private secretary 70 Secretary Hay.
President Mckinley Informed
The news was Immediately communicate
ed 10 the President, who had been ex-
tremely soiicitous as 10 his former pre-
mier's condition. The last word previous
to the announcement OF Mr.. Sherman's
death had beer received by the President
at midnight The President was greatly
affected by the news. He Immediately d.
rected that the White House be closed 10
visitors ana the flag over the Executive
Mansion be placed at half mast After
ordering some beautiful flowers from the
White House conservatory, he went In
PERSON TO Mr.. Sherman's late residence to
express his grief and offer what consoisl-
ton he could 10 the bereaved family
Mrs. McCallum informed him of the pro-
visional funeral arrangements. and the
President decided not TO delay his
departure for Canton. but 10 attend
the funeral services at Mansfield on We'd
nesday. Mrs. Mckinley later drove TO
the Sherman residence and left her card.
The flags on all the public buildings in
washington were lowered at half mast,
SO to remain until after the funeral.
Inc President, as a mark of special hon
or 10 the deceased, who was not at the
time OF his death connected in any OFF,
clal capacity with the government of the
United States. resorted to the unusual
course OF personally preparing an express
sion OF the nations grief In the shape of
d proclamation descriptive of the per-
sonar Qualities and civic abilities of the
deceased statesman.
frociama tien of the President.
The text of the proclamation follows:
'Deatn OF the Hon. John Sherman.
by the President Of the United States
OF America:
PROCLAMATION.
10 the People of the United States:
IN the fullness Of years and honors.
John Sherman, lately Secretary of
State, has passed away.
rev among our citizens have risen to
greater or more deserved emjnence in
the national councils than he. The
story of his public life and services is.
as IL Were' the history of the country
lOr haif century. In the Congress of
the United States he ranked among
the foremost In the House. and later
In the Senate. He was twice a mem
Ger or The Executive Cabinet, first as
Secretary of the Treasury and after
ward as the Secretary of State
whether In debate during the dark
hours Of our civil war, or as the di-
rector of the country's finances dur
ing the period of rehabilitation. or as
trusted councillor in framing the
nations laws for over forty years or
as the exponent of its foreign policy,
his course was ever marked by davo-
ton to the best interests of his be-
loved land and by able and conscienti-
Gus effort TO uphold its dignity and
honor. His countrymen Will long re-
we're his memory and see in him the
type of the patriotism, the upright
ness, ana the zeal that go to molding
and strengthening a nation.
In fitting expression of the sense Of
bereavement that affiicts the republic,
/ direct that or the day of the funeral
the executive offices of the United
States display the national flag at
half-mast, and that the representa-
tives of the United States in foreign
countries shall pay in like manner
appropriate tribute to the illustrious
dead for a period of ten days.
Done at the city of Washington.
this 22d day of October. in the year Of
cur Lord one thousand and nine hun
bred, and of the independence of the
United States of America the one
hundred ard twenty-fftn.
(Seal) WILLIAM MKINLEY.
By the President:
JOHN HAY, Secretary of State.