The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-05-03

ing crowd had blocked the platform at
the new station and for half an hour
there had been cries of there they
come" as strained eyes saw a speck of
smoke in the distance While the
band was playing The Star Spangled
Banner" the party from Pekin stepped
from the car to be literally devoured
by their friends.
The scene was one never to be forgot
ten by those who witnessed it. In the
intense excitement for moment for
NAL arrangements were forgotten and
everyone rushed upon the Congers.
Major Conger was visibly affected as
strong men rushed up and threw their
arms about him.
you'll never, never know what this
homecoming means to US, said Mrs
Conger in achoked voice as she stepped
into the carriage. All along the wav
from the Northwestern to the Grand
hotel it was march triumphant. In
front of the hotel an immense crowd
had gathered and there was general
handshaking before the party started
for the drive about the city.
A ffth,member of the party and the
marvellous admiration of Council Bluffs
is strange little black and white dog
which Laura Conger brought from
Pekin. 1t was found in the private
bedroom of the empress dowager of
China. Toa party of friends in the
lobby of the Grand hotel this morning
Major Conger said:
II want to return to China and |
know no reason why cannot have
received letter from Secretary Hay
saying there is nothing in the stories
of unpleasant feeling of the admins
tration toward me; that everything is
entirely satisfactory"
Mrs. Conger says she is thankful
they did not return to America i'm
mediately after the siege. st would
be much more terrible to remember if
we had she said. ''as it is the memory
of the past winter which was delight
full one, has softened it,
All four members ofithe party appear
in excellent health and in inbilant
spirits.
The Des Moines delegation to the
Conger reception did not arrive in
Council Bluffs until 1905, the train
being one hour late. The informal
reception was held previous to their
arrival and the banquet almost immed-
lately afterwards. When the Des
Molnes' people arrived Conger senti-
ment in the lobbies was strong, and
there was more of a political than for
NAL aspect to the affair.
A rumor was going the rounds that
Conger would be announced as candi.
date for governor before night and that
the other candidates would withdraw.
This was not given great credence ow.
ing to Major Conger's statement that
he would determine nothing until his
arrival in Des Moines: but the feeling
is strong here today that he will ulti-
mately be candidate Members of the
Des Moines party'all expressed surprise
at the turn towards political affairs
that the reception had taken. Mr..
Conger was in conference with mum.
Der of Des Moines men Immediately
upon their arrival, but did not commit
himself further than to say he was
anxiousto discuss the matter fully with
his friends before taking any action.
One hundred and fifty plates were
laid for the banquet, which was served
from to p. m The speeches given
were all characterized by sincerity in
their welcome of Minister Conger and
family.
John N. Baldwin reviewed briefly
the career OF Mr.. Conger and paid him
a glowing eulogy.
G. G.. Saunders spoke of the policy OF
the United States in the east, and
Senator Dolliver on the service Iowa
has rendered the nation.
A. b. Cummins when called upon
delivered the following speech in re-
Spouse to the toast, The Policy of the
United States:
sOur Star OF Empire glows in the
skies of the Orient. 1t is brilliant with
promise and it flashes with hope. We
hailed it as it rose from the waters of
the Atlantic We followed it with
hating, timid and weary feet to the
crest OF the Alleghanies. 1t led us
with swift and victorious marches over
the plains and through the mountains
until we stood upon the shores of the
Pacific: and between the two oceans
there We're more monuments to the
patriotism of the people, more to the
genius of man, more to the welfare of
humanity than ever marked the prog
ress of mankind.
"But the star halted not, nor did we:
and presently the flag of our sovereign