James Jory Sr. Pioneer of 1847 compiled by ... - Oregon Pioneers

iv. Alford Joryb. 09 Sep 1869 Salem, Marion Co, ORd. 1 Jun 1879 drowned in Willamette River, Marion Co, ORburied Salem Pioneer Cemetery, Salem, Marion Co, ORDROWNED--Sad case of the drowning of two little boys in the Willamette river--About 5 o'clock yesterday morning the deep tones of the fire bell brought many ofour citizens on the streets at perhaps an earlier hour than they would otherwisehave appeared. The cause of the alarm was not fire, but a much more solemn one--that of "children lost," which when even spoken sends a thrill of excitement toeveryone's heart. The alarm was soon spread that two little boys, sons of H. S. andMary Jory of South Salem were lost and could not be found. The story as told usby the sorrowing parent is as follows: Thursday afternoon about 3 o'clock p.m.two of his little boys, Alfred [sic] and Ralph, aged respectively ten and five yearsstrayed away from home and proceeded down the road towards the coveredbridge. No particular notice was paid to them and they were not missed until theevening meal. Upon not appearing at that time fears began to arise of their beinglost and search was immediately commenced. Many of the citizens joined inhunting the little wanderers but they were nowhere to be found. The last thatcould be heard of them was that they were playing around the large wheel in thestreet opposite the Flouring Mill, about 6:30 o'clock in the evening. This led someto think of the river and hastening that way, 'twas but a few moments until theirhats were found, and immediately under them in about nine feet of water, thebodies were found, lying about five feet apart. Last Sunday Mr. Jory took theboys into a skiff and went over to the island, just across the slough and spentseveral hours in picking berries and other kinds of amusements. It is supposed thatthe little fellows went down to the river and in attempting to get into the skiff,from the hull of the Luckiamute Chief--which was about five feet distant, andwhere the bodies were found--they missed their footing and fell in. This is onlysupposition as no human eye witnessed the sight, and the exact cause will everremain a mystery. The grief stricken parents have the heart-felt sympathy of everyone. The funeral will take place today from the residence at 11 o'clock. Rev. F. P.Tower officiating. Friends of the family are invited.” [Weekly Oregon Statesman27 June 1879 1:5]A MISTAKE--In our notice of the drowning of the little sons of Mr. and Mrs.Jory we were in error in stating the the children had been taken across to theIsland on the Sunday before in a skiff, he only having taken a walk with themaround the upper end of the slough, more than a mile from the place ofdrowning.” [Weekly Oregon Statesman 17 June 1:9]