New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-30


nature have made him man. friends and his
following is a faithful and devoted one The
new Minister to China vas born more than half
a century ago In Illinois Among the first to
enlist during the Civil War. through which he
served with distinction. he was promoted. when
scarcely Of age to the rank of Captain for gal
lantry in action He is a lawyer by profession.
but from the time he moved to Iowa. in 1865, he
has been more or less interested in politics. His
first political Office was that Of State Treasurer.
Subsequently he served three terms In the
lower house. acting during that time as Chair
man of the Committee on Coinage. Weights and
Measures.
Mr. Conger was appointed Minister to Brazil
by President Harrison. and served until Pres-
dent Cleveland named his successor. He
one Of the most acceptable ENJOYS to the Bra
lillian Government that has ever been accredited
from this country, and was himself so much
pleased with his life and duties. and the recep-
ton accorded him at the capital OF that repub-
lie that he promptly accepted the same post
when asked to do by President Mckinley.
with whom he served in Congress. Senator ALI
son. his longtime friend. is genuinely pleased
at Mr. Conger's appointment, and says he does
not believe that the President could have found
stronger man for this particular post. Mr..
Conger will stop in Washington or his way to
China. to confer with the State Department
One OF the latest additions TO the staff OF the
Bureau of EthnOlogy is a Pa?ago Indian Jose
Lewis, who is brought here by Professor MCGEE
to compile for his bureau an English version OF
the Papago Bible Too much cannot be said in
praise OF the authorities Of the National Museum
In their endeavor 10 discover and preserve all
that Is OF interest concerning the ethnology,
anthropology and general history Of the Aneri-
can aborignes ard 1t should never be true as
prophesied and deplored In one Of Professor
Langley's reports. that any institution should be
richer In exhibits pertaining to the first nhab-
itants OF this continent than the National Mu-
scum or that IL should ever be necessary for
students to make pigrimages to any other coun-
try than this for material to aid them in the
prosecution Of their work The National Mu-
scum Is now without doubt the richest in Indian
exhibits and literature OF any institution In the
world II is to be hoped. certainly. that IT Will
continue to occupy this position. and there is no
reason why it should not II Congress can be I'M
dressed with the advantage Of making the study
Of the first inhabitants OF America specla
feature and is willing TO provide adequate ap-
preparation for this purpose
Professor McGee's project Of adding TO the
literature concerning the American Indians
compilation Of its Bible and mythology is an
interesting one and he has intrusted the work to
worthy hands Jose Lewis is ful-blooded
Papago. small Of stature dignihed in mien. with
copper colored skin. straight black hair and
small black mustache. He was educated at the
Albuquerque Indian School. was at one time
court Interpreter in Arizona, and finally entered
the service Of Professor MCGEE, for whom he
acted as Interpreter when that scientist headed
a Government expedition among the Papagoes.
Some years ago Jose adopted the Roman
Catholic faith but he has since become dssads-
fed with that creed and he accepts OF it what
he considers good. which, united with what he
elects to believe Of the Papago faith, forms his
religion.
The Papago Indians. It seems. were people
practically unknown to students until recently
visited by the agents OF the Bureau OF Ethnol-
ogy Their tribe lives In the barren deserts be-
low the ella River on both sides Of the Mexican
border and Professor MCGEE. who is the fore
most authority on this subject. regards them as
superior to any other Indians he has ever met
They have always been fearless and independ-
ont but peaceable and law abiding. and their
mythology shows them TO be OF romantic and
poetical disposition.
Mr. Lewis has many interesting things to tell
NJ his tribe They live he says, in tents shaped
much like haystacks. The men are strong. well
formed and athletic and their favorite sport is
football. played very much as it is played by their
white brethren Polygamy is practised, and such
a hing as an old maid is unknown among them,
rIo hoo