The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-06-06
ANECDOTES OF FCONCER
Former Minister to China as Re-
membered In Iowa.
NEVER FORGOT A PROMISE.

never FORGOT A PROMISE.
Favorable Requests Of Veterans About
Pensions Wsrs Always Attended To.
How He Obtained Release Of Mis-
slonary-Expsrlsnes 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 nfter his Sec
6nd term az minister to Brazil his fel
low citizens, In view Of his distinction.
had planned a demonstration In his
honor. The minister was met at tho
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. I
have simply done my duty as any other
American citizen In like position would
do and am no hero. do not think that
any public demonstration would be
proper, and I know / do not want It."
The demonstration never occurred.
Cougar,s attention 10 the old soldiers
10 one Of the things most talked about.
A veteran, speaking Of the major, said:
''Conger never forgot promise.
When an old soldier would speak to
him about q pension or some reward
or action OF congress, Conger would
take a great and immediate attention
and would listen to every detail Of tho
case. II 1t 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 II was different. Whenever
veteran wrote and recalled the circum-
stances Conger would take the matter
up before the department or congress,
and he always did as he promised"
The story Is told Of Chinese man
darin who early learned that Mr.. Con-
ger was not to be baked or bluffed. A
missionary Of the American Bible so
cisty, 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
u zee about II When he learned the
trivial nature Of the trouble, he de-
manded the release Of the missionary,
saying he was an American citizen,
and az such his rights must be respect
"a.
'.But my orders are to hold him
l1sre," said the officer.
AAnd my orders from the United
otates are to demand his release"
"He must stay hare until a suits his
majesty to release him."
Tho United States OF America de-
mands his immediate release" quietly
rejoined Minister Congsr, 'and we're
used to getting whnt we. want"
The missionary was given his FREQ
dom at once.
Before China was civilized" Major
Conger, United States minister to
China, and Ia Hung Chang were hav-
ing q friendly visit when a clerk
brought In q large bundle Of Des
Noinss daily papers, says q San Fran
cisco correspondent Of the St Louis
Globe Democrat
The Chinese diplomat asked the min
ihter e 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. Mr..
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
4 drought and were praying for rain.
~Whatl' said Earl Ii "Do your peo-
pie pray for rainf"
"Yes, some Of them."
"Does It rainY'
sometimes It does and sometimes it
does not
WELL" said the crafty Ii, with
smile. s.your God h good deal like
the Chinaman's joss. The white man
prays for rain and the Chinaman prays
Tor sun. Meanwhile 1t seems to shine
or shower about as II pleases."
The Fair Fan.
A maiden Of ravishing beauty she.
And he was fan OF high degree.
And % he promised to teach her all
About the American game OF ball.
~ down 10 their grand stand seats they
went
Tho rubbernecks twisted and turned and
bent
And the fan felt tho envy behind their