A notable family gathering occurred on Christmas day at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Chase, in Oregon City, when,
surrounded by their children, grandchildren and other relatives, they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. The
date of the anniversary was December 14, but the celebration was postponed in order that the Christmas festivities and those of
the golden wedding might be merged into one, making a truly gala day. For several days members of the family living at a
distance had been gathering under the parental roof and christmas morning found the number complete.

At the golden wedding dinner, which was served at 2 o'clock, 27 guests sat at the table and all went merry as the proverbial
marriage bell. The table, which extended the length of the spacious music-room and dining-room, thrown together for the
occasion, was bountifully decorated with yellow chrysanthemums, and from the arch over the center of the table hung the golden
wedding bells, from which strands of yellow ribbons extended to the place cards. To each of these was tied a bunch of tiny
bells, and the lettering in gold announced the wedding of Sarah Augusta Stevenson and James Winslow Chase on December 14, 1858.

As the dinner progressed Mr. Chase entertained the guests with pioneer reminiscences and anecdotes, and gave a discourse in
the Chinook jargon, in which language, so largely used in pioneer times, he is well versed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Chase are early
pioneers, Mr. Chase having crossed the plains with his father's family in 1851, while Mrs. Chase came two years later. Both have
lived in Clackamas County ever since their marriage, which was solemnized at the home of William Partlow in Oregon City.

After dinner all adjourned to the parlor, where several happy hours were passed in conversation and a reflectoscope furnished
entertainment with pictures representing events in the family history. The bride and groom were the recipients of many beautiful
gifts in memory of the occasion. At 8 o'clock Santa Claus was announced and distributed the gifts from a Christmas tree, which
held something for all. As a fitting finale to a delightful day, a huge punchbowl was brought in and with it the wedding cake
and the bride's cake, and the health of the long-wedded couple was drunk in glasses of sparkling punch.

Those present for the happy occasion were: Mr. and Mrs. Chase's one son, of Colfax, Wash., with his wife; four daughters,
Mrs. S. O. Dillman, Mrs. Gilbert Hedges and Mrs. Llewellyn Adams, of Oregon City, and Mrs. Arthur Howland, of Grants Pass, all
with their husbands; two grandsons, Olney and Evan Chase; three granddaughters, Judith and Barbara Hedges and Elizabeth Howland;
Mrs. Chase's three sisters, Mrs. Barbara Bailey, Mrs. Rebecca Wills and Mrs. Jennie Miller, of Portland; J. W. Stevenson, of Cape
Horn, Wash., a brother of Mrs. Chase; Mrs. Ida Gamble and three daughters, of Portland; Mrs. Della McCarver, of Portland; James
Partlow, of Oregon City, Mrs. A. H. Adams and Miss Hicks, of Portland.