of disease, found an accumulation of vegetable matter washed up by a freshet, decaying and poisoning the air. He also noticed that a dense grove of firs between the house and the river prevented a free circulation of air. At once he set the Indian boys to lopping off branches of trees, and clearing away rubbish; after which the general health improved.
Shepard was soon prostrated with fever, and Miss Downing's loving care was as the ministration of an angel in this dark wilderness; by good nursing he escaped with a short illness. Jason Lee was fortunate in the prosecution of his suit; much of the time being spent with Miss Pitman in riding about the country, and the favorable first impression deepened. On the 16th of June there was a large gathering in the grove near the Mission house, it being the sabbath, and the marriage of Cyrus Shepard was expected in addition to the usual service.
Jason Lee delivered a discourse on the propriety and duties of marriage, a ceremony too lightly regarded in this new country. When he had finished his remarks he said, "What I urge upon you by precept I am prepared this day to enforce by example;" and characteristic as it was, without such a purpose being suspected by any one, he went to Miss Pitman and led her forth in view of all the congregation. Then rose Daniel Lee, and solemnly read the marriage service of the Methodist Episcopal Church, after which Mr Lee led his wife back into the assemblage, and returning took his nephew's place, and performed the same service for Mr Shepard and Miss Downing. When the marriages were duly solemnized, Lee preached his usual Sunday sermon, after which the communion service was held, and two members were admitted to the church.[1] The whole number of communicants was fourteen. There was a third marriage on that day, that of Charles J. Roe and Nancy McKay, some of whose brothers were in the Mission
- ↑ Hines' Oregon Hist, 25; Lee and Frost's Or., 149.
