The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-02
RETURNING MINISTER TO CHINA
GETS THE GLAD HAND IN
IOWA
WAS CHEERED TO THE ECHO
BIG CROWD GATHERED AT NORTH
WMrERN STATION IN COUN-
Gil BLUFFS
HIS BOOM FOR GovERNoRsHIP
Is Emphasized by Numbers of PeO-
pie Wearing Conger buttons
Left for Des MOines
Last Night.

OMAHA, Neb., May Mai Edwin H
Conger was accorded a hero's reception
this morning by the people of his state
as he first set foot on Iowa soil at Coun-
Gil Bluffs. His private car arrived at
the city station of the NORTHWESTERN
promptly at II o'clock and was greeted
by more than 1000 people who had as
semDled to do the first honors to the re-
turning minister. Congressman Walter
Smith, Mayor Jennings and others board
ed the car to extend the greetings of
the city. Postmaster /. NJ. Treynor, ac-
companied the party across from Omaha.
As Minister Conger appeared on the rear
platform and ascended, tremendous cheor-
ing greeted him. The line was then
formed for the escort to the Grand hotel,
which was to be the headquarters dur
ing the day. AT the head of the process
sion rode Capt. L. B. Cousins, sheriff Of
Pottawatomie county. He was followed
by the band, the Dodge Light Guards,
who form Company l., Fifty-hrst Iowa
guards the high school cadets and a
line of carriages.
When the minister arrived at the Grand
hotel long line OF people were waiting
to shake his hand, and a formal recep-
uon followed for nearly an hour The
formal welcome began at 11:30. Mayor
Victor Jennings and Minister Conger re-
ceived alone, that the great crowds might
pass more rapidly. Repeated cheers for
Conger were heard during the reception
and the crowds were bright with gay
colored ribbons and buttons bearing the
name "Conger." While the reception
was at its height the special party from
Des Moines drove to q hotel, headed by
a band. Gov. Leslie M. Shaw and A B.
Cummins We're enthusiastically cheered
as they entered the rotunda.
During the time occupied by the public
reception in the corridor of the hotel
Mrs Conger held a formal reception in
Mr.. Baldwin's parlors on the second
floor of the hotel, which was ATTENDED
by numbers of women who were attend
ing the Iowa Federation of Womens
clubs.
FORMALLY WELCOMED.
The formal welcome to Maj. Conger
was extended by Mayor Jennings in a
happy manner. Minister Conger respond
ed to the toast, "Our guest He ex-
pressed his pleasure at being back on
Iowa soil and spoke of the joy that the
hearty reception had given him. He re-
ferred briefly to the trying events of the
last year and to the glory with which
the stars and stripes were brought
through the Intricate and delicate pro-
ceedlngs at Pekin. He complimented those
who had to do with his entertainment
since arriving in the United States, and
expressed his thanks for the reception.
Senator j. p. Delivers subject was
Iowa in the councils and service of the
nation" He gave a sketch of Mai Con-
gers career, complimenting him on his
ability and integrity while engaged in the
public service.
Hon c. M. Harl responded to the toast,
Our American women; ever brave, loyal,
tender and true
Hon G. G. Saunders spoke on the open
door; the enlightened policy of civiliza-
tion in the Orient.
Accompanied by a large Des Moines
delegation, Mr.. Conger left for the state
capital at o'clock.
BARKIS is WILLIN'.
OMAHA. May Minister Conger and
party arrived here today en- route home.
group of relatives from Des Moine5
and a reception committee greeted the
party. Questioned with regard to the
Iowa governorship, Mr.. Conger said:
If the nomination for governor is Of
fered me l shall probably accept it. After
consultation with my friends in Des
Molnes 1 may be willing to strengthen
the statement already made or | may
change it altogether. Until have oppor-
tCnity, however, to advise with my
friends 1 can say nothing further"
Maj. Conger added he had been ad-
vised of the action of Editor Perkins.
of the Sioux City Journal, in withdraw
ing from the gubofhatorial race in his
(Conger's) favor, and expressed his ap-
probation, but said he could not discuss
the effect that it might have on his own
course.
Crossing the river to Council Bluffs,
Minister Conger was met with parade
of veteran soldiers, ard this afternoon
he was given a banquet.
REACHES DIES MONIES.
DES MONIES, To-, May 1.-The spe-
cial train bearing United States Minister
E. H. Conger and party arrived in Des
Moines at 10 o'clock tonight. An i'm
menSe crowd was at the station to greet
the distinguished Iowan who had passed
through such trying scenes in the Orie MT
Maj. Conger and party were quickly
transferred from the train to a carriage
amid the cheers of the multitude and es-
corted by a drum corps OF veterans
passed up Fourth street from the railway
station and at once went to the major
home, just outside of the business dis
trtct. There were no ceremonies tonight
the party having put in such a busy day
at Council Bluffs and across the state
that they were glad Of an opportunity
to rest upon reaching home. The formal
welcoming exercises Will De nGlQ FrlQay'
afternoon at the auditorium, followed by
a brilliant reception at the state house
in the evening. On the trip across the
state from Council Bluffs this evening
the train stopped at Avoca, where 1,O0O
persons greeted his arrival; at Atlantic,
where 5000 were at the station; at Stuart
where another 1,000 waited, and at Dex-
ter Maj. Conger'S old home, where the
entire population turned out to greet him
as Governor Conger. At each Of the,
above points Mai Conger appeared and
spoke briefly and shook the hands of all
who could get within reach. Mai Con
ger has aged perceptibly since leaving
here some years ago and his hair appears
much grayer. He would not talk on the
governorship or other questions tonight,
preferring to wait until he has consulted
bis friends and taken a deliberate survey
Of the situation. He will probably go to
Washington in about ten days.