Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-07-26


has stimulated interest in the person
alities of Minister Conger, his wife and
daughter, his niece, his guests, and the
devoted little band of Americans
seventy all told-who took. refuge in
the British embassy at Pekin when
the American compound was no longer
safe.
A report from China had it that M.
de Giers, the Russian minister, had
been boiled to death after brutal i'll
usage. What then, was the fate Of
Major Conger, and what manner of
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 statesman, he wss rec
0gnized as man of fine ability, solid
man, 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 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-
manding the presence of an efficient
American diplomat, made the nomina-
ton of Page Bryan a source of en-
barrassment to the administration. 1t
was opposed by Senator Frye and other
influential men. The difficulty was dis
PEELED by 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 salary of $4,000
a year.
Minister Conger received his first
appointment to Brazil in 1890 from
President Harrison. 1t was compen-
sation for severe discipline inflicted on
him during the civil war by Harrison.
At the siege of Atlanta Conger was
captain in the 1920 Illinois volunteer
infantry. Col Benjamin Harrison OF
the 10th Indiana was acting brigadler-
general of the brigade. After the evae-
uation of the city an order was is
sued by Col Harrison that no ofacers
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 he 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 C0nger saw all
that he desired of the late confederate
stronghold and returned to his reg
ment. On his arrival he was informed
that he might consider himself unoer
arrests and that by direction OF Col.
Harrison he must surrender MS
sword
For a number of weeks the captain
remained in the seclusion OF his tent.
Finally, not hearing anything furtner
in his case, he addressed communl-
cation to the brigade commander, re-
ouesting a court or relief from
his ignominy. An order was returned
restoring him to duty, and not long
aftarward he was breveted major for
gallant and meritorious service III tne
field" The next time that Capt. Con-
ger met his old commander was wnen
the latter was a senator at Wasnlng-
ton. The episode of Shermans cam
naign was discussed by the two ana a
friendly understanding was reached.
Tn 1890 Conger asked the president
For tbe spanish mission. Gen. Harri-
SON could not grant this boon, but ne
said. "Wby not Brazil?" Major Con-
aar accented the post at Rio rather
than nothing at all.
On the occasion of a call on the pres
dent TO tender thanks for the appoint
nant Cen. Harrison laid one hand az
fectionately on the majors shoulder
and he observed that he was compen-
sating him for his punishment during
the war. 20 r. old
Minister Conger was So years oia'
having been born in Knox county, '', :,
no,s March 7. 1S43. He studied at
Lombard university in Gaiesouls'
One Of his feilow-students there was
Miss sarah J. Pike, beautiful ana
studious Illinois girl. He fell IN iose
With her and she with him. Tnes ca
changed VOWS, but that did not prsse ..
him. when, in 1862, he was gradua'eu,
s-om enlisting in the union army. 800
The close Of the civil war ne stu.ieu
Law at the Albany law school, ana ~
1890 was graduated. Then he marTieu
Miss pike and began the practice u
law in Galesburg.
Two years later the agriculture
fever seized him, and he moved witt
his wife to Dexter, Dallas county, Ia
intention becoming farmer. 1t wa