Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-05-02

treasurer he removed to Des Moines ~
live. In the meantime he had become
interested in financial institutions in
Des Moines and elsewhere At one
time his new ventures had proved
quite profitable, but later through the
b.uaders of associates he lost every
thing.
Thrco Terms in Congress.
Mr.. Conger was elected to the Forty
ninth. Fiftieth and Fifty-first con-
crosses, receiving large majoriucs
each time. In other years the Seventh
congressional district had been repre-
sented by e. II. Gillette, greenbackcr,
but Conger piled UP a big republican
majority and the district has ever
since been republican. In congress MIR.
Conger developed rapidly. He applied
to congressional life the same lNsiness
methods he had applied in his private
affairs and in his offices as county and
state treasurer. He became at once an
advocate of liberal pensions to old
soldiers and was instrumental in Sc
curing some much needed legislation.
He was placed on the committee on
coinage, weights and measures when
he first entered congress. and in the
Fiftyfrst congress he was advanced
to the Craftsmanship. 1t was while Oh
this committee that he had a great
deal to do with the formation of the
legislation regarding currency and es-
pecially silver previous to 1850. He
was the author of the "Conger lard
bill" measure intended to prevent
authorizations of various kinds. In his
first years in congress he did mis- work
entirely in committee, but later he be-
came a good man on the floor and de-
ve!oped a faculty for earnest argument.
In his college days Conger had been
good speaker, but not until he had
served a term in congress did he mani-
fest ability to go on the stump and
present the issues to the people.
After that he was in demand as n
public speaker.
In congress Conger made many warm
friends One OF these was William Me-
kinley. When Harrison became president
he appointed Mr.. Conger to be minister to
Brazil, which position he filled for three
years. He fell in love with his work. but
on change of administration returned to
Iowa to engage In business. In 1896 Con-
ger was eector-at-large on the republican
ticket In Iowa, and after the election of
Mckinley he was again appointed minis
ter to Brazil. a post which he sought In
order that he might finish, the work
he had begun there. He had been In Bra
I'll but short time when President Nc
llnlcy asked him to go to Picking to be-
come United States minister TO China.
The president desired an experienced man
at that place. and, while Conger at first
protested that he would prefer to remain
IN Brazil he finally accepted the mission
to China on tho earnest solicitation OF the
president and his cabinet.
Mr. ConEcr was married in 1866 AZ
Galesbur.. III, te Miss Sarah j. Pike.
Their daughter. Miss Laura, welded a
pcs Moincs man, who has since died.
Career III China.
The events leading up to the return o.
Minister ConEcr from China are fresh in
the public mind. Ii had been the desire
of Minister Conger to remain In Brazil
1t WAS not because he feared results at
Picking. but because he was familiar with
the work In South America President
Mckinley seemed to have am intuition
\ that something WAS going to happen in
the far east. And about year ago tho
| situation became troublesome ut Picking
IT was on May - that an event occurred
which startled the Christian world. This
| was the attack by the Chinese on the
\ Christian Village of l.ai Sun, seventy
miles from Peking Seventy-three con-
/ yelts were massucred. The ministers of
| the foreign powers addressed :; Joint hot.
| to the tsung II yamen demanding suppress
sion of the rioters. The reports of Minis
ter Conger caused alarm at Washington.
and Rear Admiral Kempfr, with his nag
/ ship Newark, was ordered to Tuku The
/ AIIleTlCdHS laiueu Il small force under
Captain McCalia and joined the interna
| tional column for the relief of Picking
I These guards We're admitted and for a
| time seemed to bring quiet In June
rioting broke out afresn. June 10 Admiral
Seymour, with 2,CCO troops, started to re-
par the railroad. and We're soon cut off.
/ On June IL the Chinese forts at Tiku
/ opened fire on the allied fleets and the
forts were promptly bomburdcd On June
26 the expedition returned 10 Iicn Tsin.
| having failed to reach Picking July IA
the native forts at lien Tsin were cap
tured by the allies. AT this time the lc-
| cations were imprisoned at Picking 1t
was July 20 that the first authentic news
reached the outer world concerning the
4 legations. This was the cipher message
from Minister Conger. reading.
.'ln British legation, under continued
shot and she'll from Chinese troops. quick
i-iieI only can prevent general massacre
The relief of the legations was effected
\ August IA by the entry into Picking of the
allied troops. About 10000 soldiers par
ticipated In this difficult military enter
i arise.
Blunt Indictment of china.