Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-07-20
MINISTER CONGER AS
REMEMBERED IN IOWA.

Out in Iowa people are talking much
of Minister Conger these days, and recall
with pride the fact that he gained his
start in public life while a resident Of
Ia state. The Des Moines Capital says
that when Mr.. sConger returned to Iowa
after his second term as minister to Bra
zil, his felloW-citizens in view of his dis
tinctiOn, had planned a demonstration in
his honor. The minister was met at the
train and welcomed his family and
friends gladly. But when he heard Of
the reception plans he Immediately
showed his modesty and aid
"If you do what will please me, you'll
not have anything of the kind. I have
simply done my duty as any other Amer
lean citizen in like position would do,
and am no hero. I do not think that
any public demonstration would be
proper. and I know l do not want it."
The demonstration never occurred.
"Conger learned how to make good
talks while he was serving in congress"
! elected to office he couldn't make a
speech to save his life. He knew what
he wanted to say all right, but he was
| so modest he'd never take a hand In any
thing unless it vas his duty. That was
! his great word-duty. Well, when he
was elected ito ngres he found that he
would have to make some speeches In
| order to represent his constituents prop
erly. So he set about learning to De an
orator. He was a deep student and he
would sit up late at night porting Owe
volumes and studying h conditions o1
the country. Then III would rehearse In
his room, and by the end OF MS tern
in congress he was acknowledged to be
a fine orator, one of those natural ora
tors who say what they mean ana tall
because they have so~methingtto say. HI
had been too diffldent before. but wher
"a hSn 1,,txy ho Loo rn nN how IN 2DRAt
we'll in public"
Conger's attention to the old soldiers j.
one of the things most talked about. a
veteran, speaking of the major, AID
''Conger never forgot q promise
When an old soldier would speak to hin
about a pension or some reward Or &C
tion of congress-, Conger Would take !;
great and immediate attention ant
would listen to yer detail OF the case
If it appeared to him to he merftorlous
he would say: Write to me about thi
when congress is in session.s&nd I'll at
tend to it, That is the old soYg sung o.
most congressman who wang TO get III
of any promise. But with COnger II wa
different. Whenever a veteran wTot
and recalled the circumstances. FConge
would take the matter up before the 0e
partent or congress, and he never faife'
to do as he proised." Y
Minister Conger met and wooed an
Galesburg, Ill. It was a cOAege m1tci
as both bride and groom were ei9eholn
school together there. The bride wa
Miss Sarah ]. Pike. n the match wa
a romantic one. Both were aNtIracts
to the other by their brightness IN classe
and by the good spirit which pervade
every action and word. TINS was J
ante-belfIum DAYS n the firing on Fol
sumter put a temporary end to the
lovemaking as cruel war a~ntervened ~
Conger went away to q serving WI!
gallantry and distinction. o Il
rank of major. During ,aOsen ~ tnaa1
| Pike was true to him n kept IN toue
BY constant watch and continued corr,
spondence. The years spent apar on
intensified their affection. Inc they We