Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-07
HAILCONCER ATHOME|
Des MONIES People Greet Minister
to China.

to China.
THOUSANDS GIVE HIN A RECEPTION
His Tour Across Iowa is Like Tri-
umphaI Observation-Disclosures Orient
ais Have Been Punished Enough for
Their Sins.
Des Moines, May 2-After a tri-
umphal tour across his native state
from Council Bluffs, Edwin H. Conger,
United States minister to Picking,
China, reached his home here last
night at 10 o'clock There was an i'm
mense crowd at the railroad station to
! greet the Iowan who hae passed
through such sore trials in the orient
| The minister was very tired after
his long and hard days trip, and he
was glad when his friends told him
that they had put off giving him for
NAL welcome until Friday, when there
will be afternoon exercises in the Aud
| itorium, followed by reception at the
| state house in the evening.
! On the trip across the state from
Council Bluffs last evening the train
| stopped at Avoca, where 1000 per-
sons greeted his arrival; at Atlantic,
where 5000 were at the station; at
Stuart, where another 1000 waited,
and at Dexter, Major Conger's old
home, where the entire population
turned out to greet him affectionately
as Governor" Conger. At each of
these points Major Conger appeared
and spoke briefly and shook the hands
of all who could reach him.
Great Reception at Council Bluffs.
The homecoming minister was ac-
corder a hero's reception yesterday
morning by the people of his state
4 as he first set foot on Iowa soil at
4 Council Bluffs. When his private car
arrived at the city station of the North
western at IL o'clock he was greeted
by a big crowd. Congressman Walter
l. Smith. Mayor Jennings and others
boarded the car to extend the greetings
of the city.
u AS Minister Conger appeared on the
rear platform and descended tremen-
dous cheering greeted him. The line
was then formed for the escort to the
!, Grand hotel, which was to be the
headquarters during the day. At the
!, head Of the procession rode Captain
L. B. Cousins, sheriff of Pottawatomie
county. He was followed by the band,
, the Dodge Light guards, who form
, company e." Fifty-first Iowa guards;
, I, ,ol, -f
carriages
ly an hour. Mayor Victor Jennings
I and Minister Conger received alone.
, Repeated cheers for the minister were
with gay-colored ribbons and buttons
! bearing the. name "Conger." Cover
!, nor Leslie NJ. Shaw and A. B. Cum.
Minis were enthusiastically cheered.
Mr.. conger Talks of China.
!, Shortly after 1 o'clock the dining.
, room was opened and 200 guests took
!, seats at the table. Governor Leslie
M. Shaw acted as POSTMASTER. The
, formal welcome to Major Conger was
! extended by Mayor Jennings.
Minister Conger expressed his pleas.
use at being back on Iowa soil and
spoke of the JOY that the hearty recep.
ton had given him. He referred
, 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 proceedings
= at Picking.
With reference to the incentive Of
' the Chinese trouble Mr.. Conger absolv
ed the boxers" from all blame. 'The
princes and high officials" he said
! were responsible for the slaughter o.
} the missionaries, and the real offenders
= have been for the most part punished
The imperial court, l believe, rejoicec
!, that the potentates involved came tx
the end which they deserved"
! Later, questioned with regard to thu
Iowa governorship, Mr.. Conger said
Il eff the nomination for governor is of
; fered to me probably shall accep
d it: After consultation with m,
e friends in Des Moines may be will
9 ing to strengthen the statement ma.
> have already made or may change
altogether. Until have opportunity
!, however, to advise with my friends
i can say nothing further"
$ Major Conger added he had beel
+ advised of the action of Editor Perkin
8 of the Sioux City Journal in withdraw
7 ing from the gubernatorial race in hi
s (Conger) favor and expressed his az
g probation, but said he could not dis
s. cuss the effect that it might have o.
Il his own course.
q Going to Washington in Ten Days.
d Major Conger has aged perceptibl
II since leaving here some years ago an
Is his hair appears much grayer. H
y, probably will go to Washington i
v about ten days.
y !, Des Moines, May 4.-Fully 1000
u =, people attended the reception give
=, - to Minister E. H. Conger and his fan
- lily at the state house last evening.
y was given by the Federation of W.
= mems clubs of this city and the ladie
= certainly deserve great credit for thei
- work. 1t was not formal reception
- and the fact was recognized by tn
~ people. Thousands of people VIII
y, were anxious to shake hands wit
III Minister Conper and would have bee