Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/285

Rh James Jory, who was thus married at the age of 26, had a place of his own in one of the most productive sections of Illinois, and was in good prospect of acquiring a substantial competence; but he could not but mark the sad results of the malaria prevalent in the country upon the breaking of the prairies. He noticed that the universal fever and ague proved particularly debilitating to young married women, who easily fell victims to other disorders after being weakened by this malady; and like a thoughtful husband began to consider removal to a more healthful country. The matter was talked over first with his wife and afterward with his father and brothers, and as a consequence it was decided to sell out and go to Oregon the next spring.

Mr. Jory with his young wife prepared to start from their own place and join the rest of the family at Independence, Mo. Being a practical mechanic, he made it his first concern to have a suitable wagon. For $50 he purchased the running gear of a vehicle that had been made out of green timber, and had shrunk so as to be considered unserviceable; but this he saw was just the thing, as it could be tightened all around and would best endure a trip across the drouth-stricken plains. For this he constructed a box, which should serve all purposes of living as well as of travel, or might be used as a flatboat in case of necessity. Around the sides and through a partition three or four feet from the front end augur holes were bored, and a piece above the end gate at the rear was likewise perforated, and through these a bed cord was run in the old fashion, and thus was constructed a comfortable spring bed. Underneath there was space for provisions, tools and other necessary traveling articles. Substantial bows were fitted above and a cover of double thickness of canvas was drawn over this. Double canvas proved much more comfort-