Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-07-26

The thought OF the incredible tor
lures and the violent death suffered
If early reports be true
has stimulated interest in the person
alities of Minister Conger, his wife AM
daughter, his niece, his guests, and thu
devoted little band of Americans
seventy all told-who took refuge il
the British embassy at Pekin wher
the American compound was no Longer
safe.
A report from China had it that NJ
de Giers, the Russian minister, haC
been boiled to death after brutal i'll.
usage. What, then, was the fate OF
Major Conger, and what manner OIL
man was this chief of the company Of
American martyrs in China.
A man Of many parts was Edgar H.
Conger. Soldier, farmer, stock breeder
lawyer, banker, legislator, diplomat, he
exhibited the versatile qualities of the
typical American, and was successful
in his every undertaking.
Without having ever won national
prominence as a statesman, he Wss rec
ognized as man of fine ability, a solid
man, a safe man. He was transferred
to his present post from that of min
lister to Brazil, which is far less i'm
portant. The change involved a curl.
Gus bit of diplomatic history.
President Mckinley had committed
the mistake of nominating Col" Page
Bryan Of Illinois, Who was neither eX-
perienced nor able but had rendered
valuable campaign services, for the
vital mission to China.
Serious developments in China, de-
handing the presence of an efficient
American diplomat, made the nomina-
ton Of Page Bryan a source of en-
barrassment to the administration. II
was opposed by Senator Frye and other
influential men. The difficulty was dis
PEELED by a friendly arrangement under
which Bryan consented to accept the
Brazilian post, while Conger left Rio
for Pekin, where he was most needed
Each mission pays a salary of $4,000
year.
Minister Conger received his first
appointment to Brazil in 1890 from
President Harrison. 1t was a compen-
sation for severe discipline inflicted on
him during the civil war by Harrison
At the siege Of Atlanta Conger was a
captain in the 1920 Illinois volunteer
infantry. Col. Benjamin Harrison OF
the 10th Indiana was acting brigadier-
general Of the brigade. After the evac-
uation of the city an order was is
sued by Col. Harrison that no officers
below the rank of colonel should visit
the captured town. Capt. Conger was
Of an adventurous turn Of mind and he
yearned to obtain a view Of Peach
Tree street and the ruin that followed
IN the footsteps Of war.
His regiment was encamped four
miles away, but with several junior
officers ne rode up the road toward
Atlanta. On the way he met Acting
Brigadier Harrison and staff. He :.
luted his superior officer who returned
the compliment. Capt. Conger saw all
that he desired of the late confederate
stronghold and returned to his res
ment. On his arrival he was Informed
that he might consider himself under
arrest, and that by direction of Col
Harrison he must surrender his
sword.
For a number of weeks the captain
remained in the seclusiOn Of his tent
Finally, not hearing anything further
in his case, he addressed a communl-
cation to the brigade commander, re-
Guesting a cOurt-martial or relief from
ais ignominy. An order was returned
restoring him to duty, and not long
afterward he was breveted major fol
gallant and meritOriOus service IN the
field" The next time that Capt Con-
ger met his old commander was when
the latter was a senator at Washing
ton. The episode of Sherman's cam
paign was discussed by the two and
friendly understanding was reached.
In 1890 Conger asked the president
for the Spanish mission. Gen. Harri-
son could not grant this boon, but he
said: why not Brazil?" Major Con,
ger accepted the post at Rio rather
than nothing at all.
On the occasion of a call on the pres
ident to tender thanks for the appoint
ment Gen. Harrison laid one hand al
fectionatelv on the majors shoulder
and he observed that he was compen
sating him for his punishment during
the war
Minister Conger was 50 years old
having been born in Knox county, Hi
nois, March Z, 1S43. He studied a
Lombard university in Galesburg.
One of his fellow-students there wa:
Miss Sarah J. Pike, beautiful AM
studious Illinois girl. He fell in love
with her and she with him. They ex
changed VOWS, but that did not proven
him, when. in 1862, he was graduated
from enlisting in the union army. A
the close of the civil war he studied
law at the Albany law school, and il
1866 was graduated. Then he married
Miss Pike and began the practice 0
law in Galesburg.
Two years later the agriculture
fever seized him, and he moved witt
his wife to Dexter, Dallas county, Ia.
intent on becoming a farmer. 1t wa
thinly settled country, but the Con
gers made many friends and pros
pered.
A neighbor who had known Majo
Conger in the war wrote a letter to tn
county newspaper suggesting that h
be made member of the county board
The editor adopted the suggestion an