The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-07-04
ANECDOTES Of FC0NGER
Former Minister to China as Re-
membered In Iowa.
NEVER FORGOT A PROMISE.

NEVER FORGOT A PROMISE.
Favorable Requests Of Veterans About
Pensions Were Always Attended To.
How He Obtained Release Of Mis-
sionary-Experienee With Ii Hung
Chang.
The late Major Edwin II. Conger,
minister to China during the Boxer up
rising, gained his start in public life
when a resident Of Iowa. The Des
Moines Capital says that when Mr..
Conger returned to Iowa after his Sec
ond term as minister to Brazil his fel-
low citizens, in view Of his distinction,
had planned a demonstration in his
honor. The minister was met at the
train and welcomed his family and
friends gladly, but when he heard Of
the reception plans he Immediately
showed his modesty and said:
IF you do what will please me
you'll not have anything Of the kind. l
have simply done my duty as any other
American citizen in like position would
do and am no hero. 1 do not think that
any public demonstration would be
proper, and I know I do not want It."
The demonstration never occurred.
Congers attention to the old soldiers
is one Of the things most talked about.
A veteran, speaking Of the major, said:
"Conger never forgot a promise.
When an old soldier would speak to
him about a pension or some reward
or action Of congress, Conger would
take a great and immediate attention
and would listen to every detail Of the
case. If it appeared to him to be mer-
itorious, he would say, Write to me
about this when congress is in session,
and I'll attend to it. That is the old
song sung by most congressman who
want to be rid Of any promise, but with
Conger it was different. Whenever a
veteran wrote and recalled the circuu1-
stances Conger would take the matter
up before the department or congress,
and he always did as he promised"
The story Is told of q Chinese man
DARN who early learned that Mr.. Con-
ger was not to be baked or blufed. A
missionary Of the American Bible so
ciety, duly provided with passports and
credentials. was stopped by the officials
and held In the military quarters on
some paltry trumped up charge. The
missionary sent word to Minister Con-
ger. and the minister went in person
to see about it. When he learned the
trivial nature$ of the trouble, he de-
manded the release Of the missionary,
saving he was an American citizen,
and as such his rights must be respect
ed.
"But my orders are to hold him
here" said the officer.
"And my orders from the United
States are to demand his release"
,"He must stay here until it suits his
majesty to release him."
'The United States Of America de-
mands his immediate release" quietly
'rejoined Minister Conger, "and we're
used to getting what we want"
The missionary was given bis free
dom at once.
Before China was "civilized' Major
Conger, United States minister to
China, and Ii Hung Chang were hav-
ing a friendly visit when clerk
brought in q large bundle Of Des
Moines daily papers, says San Fran
cisco correspondent Of the ST. Louis
Globe Democrat.
The Chinese diplomat asked the min
lister If he read all his papers and was
answered In the Affirmative. Earl Ii
commented Upon the answer and said
that China's greatest need with an up
to date press with daily issues. MI.
Conger replied that although his pa
pers were six weeks old he found them
interesting reading and that in the lat
est issues he saw that the people OF his
state were suffering from the effects OF
drought and were praying for rain.
"Whatw said Earl Ii. "Do your peo-
pie pray for rain?"
Eyes, some Of them"
"Does it rain?
sSometimes it does and sometimes it
does not
"Well," said the crafty Ii, with a
smile, "your God is good deal like
the Chinaman's joss. The white man
prays for rain and the Chinaman prays
for sun. Meanwhile it seems to shine
or shower about as it pleases."
The Fair Fan.
A maiden Of ravishing beauty she,
And he was q fan Of high degree,
And 20 he promised to teach her al
About the American game. Of ball
Al down to their grand stand seats they
went
rS. -,hh>~n>~lrc ord turned and