The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-08-22

OF SaNaktS.
Just 300 years from the eveltful ii92
WHOM Columbus demonstrated TO tho
unbelieving world the eNisoenoe of an
other continent toward the setting sun.
beyond the oceaa that had hitherto
bounded their lives, in l7s2 on the nth
day Of May, a ship from Boston, COM
manded by Captain Robt, Gray, ais
covered and entered the mouth OF this,
the third great river on the American
continent, giving It the name Of his ship,
the Columbia.
From this time attention was directed
to The northwest coast and vessels
frequs s,ly wished the river, until IN
March. 1911, the present site Of the town
OF Astoria was selected and occupied by
the Pacific Fur CO,
This was the beginning OF the settlement
Of oregon. But it spread no farther
for about . years,
In response to the touching appeal
OF the four Indians who came from their
home beyond the Rocky mountains 20
St Louis in 1854. asking for the white
Mans Book" telling about the white
Mans God" and n teacher to explain /,
TO them, the hearts Of Christians were
aroused, and two OF the Missionary
societies took measures 10 answer the
call-the Methodist Episcopal Society IN
the United States, and the American
Board Of Commissions for Foreign Mis-
sions at Boston.
The company Of missionaries sent by
the American Board were Rev. Samuel
Parker and DR.. Marcus Whitman. who
established mission station among the
Neg Perces az Walla Walla.
When the location was decided upon.
DR.. Whitman Immediately returned TO
the east to procure associates to carry
on the mission. On the strength OF his
report, the American Board resolved TO
enter upon the work. and instructed Rev.
H. H. Spaulding and Mrs. Spauldlrg with
DR.. and Mrs. Whitman TO proceed the
next year to Oregon to labor among the
Nez Perces.
At the solicitation Of the Board. Mr.
William H. Gray. OF Utica, y. Y, ac-
companied them as secular agent Of the
expedition and in Sept, 1885, the party
reached Walla Walla on the Columbia
river.
The following year Mr. Gray returned
20 the east to procure supplies and re-
endorsements for the mission and in
both respects was successful While
there he sought in marriage and won
the hand OF Miss Mary Augusta Dix, Of
champlain, y. Y, choice in which he
was signally guided by the good hand
OF God upon him"
Miss Dix was a young lady OF eiuca-
lion and refinement. and Of unusually
lovely person. manners and character.
In addition to these she was a humble
ecnsscrated Christian She came TO the
wilds OF the unknown territory Of ore
gon. not as many came IN later years.
drawn by the stores Of The wonderful
attractiveness Of climate ard soil. Bu.
the word went TO the EAST hat her
were human souls unter dusay skins
who were calling for the Bread Of Life"
heashel on our own shore the gospel OF
salvation, she came with h=r husband
in the. second party Of missionaries un-
der the direction Of the American Ecari
to join the four who had preceded t-em
across the Rocky mountains. and with
them formed the advance guard Of the
grand army which fou ded new clvili- ]
zation on the northwest Goa It. the party
arrived at whitman's stati5n. Waiila,pu.
Sept. l. 1898.
Mr.. and Mrs. spaulding had established
another station at Lapwai and thither :
Mr.. and Mrs. Gray proceeded, remaining
10 labor with them among the N=z Per- t
ces. Mrs. Gray entered heartily in-o the E
work Of teaching the Indian women and
children at Lapwai.
She commenced her libors Immediately
with from 50 to 100 native ch.ldrel, whom I
she taught under a pine tree during ths
fall. and until a log school house was z
built. This Is described as "a puncheon
seated. earth-hoored build ng." and h-rs
she taught her pupils until March, ls39
One especially interesting fact in con-
aection with her labors there has reen 0
handed down to US. She had a remark $
able sweet. finely trained voice and e
when upon the morning after her arrival I
she joined in the singing at family "
worship, Mr. Spaulding felt that il would
be a power in their Sabbath services. and @
requested her TO conduct that part Of
the worship. When the Indians heard n
her sing they were visibly impressed ii
and afterwards spoke Of Ter as Christ q
sister" CThe above IS related and told
by some Of the older Indians and Huiso7 u
Bay men, Whenever she sang. they %
would gather around and listen with
rapt attention, as 4 TO heavenly music.
In the fall Of 1899, she lef, for til t'
Whitman station with her husband ana "
infant son in Chinook canoe, paddled Id
and stesred by two Nez Perces Indians. y"
They remained there, Mrs. Gray as u
sisting Mrs. Whitman in teaching until uI
1S42. when they came to the Willamette al
valley. Later they removed 20 Clatsop IT
plains, where they resided for several "
years. and finally settled in Astoria.
Where ever they went, they strove 10 ad- +
vance the kingdom Of Christ, and ex- ",
erted a decided influence in the cause Of 50
education, temperance and benevolence. Ia
In 1916 they assisted in forming the first .
Presbyterian church in Oregon, with Rev
Lewis Thompson and Mr.. and Mrs Con- Ct
dit at clatsop plains. CClatsop church m
organized Sept. 10, 1s46) NJ
Seven Of their children survive them. de
They are Judge ]. H. D. Gray, Of As- If
toria; Caroline A., CAIrs. Jacob Kamm. OF o,
nnr.tlar,d.A Mr. @ H. II. T.