Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/30

12 others was anxiously looked for. After several days George Gay, and William J. Bailey, who became prominent among the first settlers of Oregon, were discovered on the bank of the Wallamet, opposite the mission, contemplating it with an earnest attention, as we may readily understand. Finally one of them, Bailey, plunged in and attempted to swim across, but being weak from wounds and famine, was about to perish in the strong current, when his companion sprang to his rescue, sustaining him until a canoe put out from the opposite shore to the relief of both.

Bailey was frightfully wounded. One cut extended through the upper lip just below the nose, and through the upper and lower jaws and chin, passing into the side of the neck, only narrowly missing the jugular vein. Unable from the terrible pain to properly adjust the parts, he had simply bound them together with a handkerchief, from which neglect in healing they left his face distorted to an unsightly degree. He was placed in the hospital at Vancouver, where his numerous other injuries were attended to, and afterwards, being bred a surgeon, he practiced medicine and surgery among the colonists. The fourth man missed the settlements, and reached Wyeth's fort on Sauve's island, more dead than alive, and was kindly cared for.

When the cattle company was sent to California to purchase stock for the mission and settlers in 1837, Ewing Young, a prominent American, was placed in command, and P. L. Edwards of the mission made treasurer. Turner, Gay, and Bailey were of the company, and as they approached the scene of their loss and suffering of two years before, with the precious herd, it became evident there would be trouble. The Indians would endeavor to secure some of the cattle; but even if they did not, Turner, Gay, and Bailey were longing for vengeance, and uttering threats against the Rogue river Indians. Four days before reaching Rogue river, Gay and Bailey shot an Indian who