Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/287

Rh for this the journey could never have been made by families, or Oregon occupied with an American population.

It was customary, says Mr. Jory, to elect a captain by "standing up on sides," and being then counted off, aiming to be fair and democratic, and give every one a chance to show his preference, as so interestingly described in the file of the New Orleans Picayune found by Doctor Wilson. In the case of Joseph Magone there was no need of this; it was all one side for him. Magone was married after reaching Oregon to a Miss Tomlinson that he met on the Plains; and long afterwards, indeed after the railroad was built, illustrated his original love of adventure by walking back East for a visit.

One of his memorable pleasantries occurred at the time the first buffalo was killed on the Plains. This was a fine young heifer and was shot by Magone. He came back to camp and invited the men to go out and each take a piece. There was a little hesitation, no one wishing to show greed where all were so anxious. "Come, come," said Magone, "don't be bashful; the best-looking man start first." But this started no one; "Well, then," he said, "the man with the best-looking wife come first;" and there was a general rush. That first buffalo was considered the best meat tasted on the trip. This party did not see many of the buffalo herds, being too early, as the animals had gone north. The later emigrants of that season, however, described them as occurring "in clouds" upon the prairie.

It was considered something of a joke on Magone, being a bachelor, that no less than five times he was obliged to give the order to halt the train a day on account of the birth of a child. These were in the families of Mr. Watts, Nelson, one of the Knightons, and of Mr. Jory. This latter was the oldest child, a daughter, who was born on Burnt River. There was no regular