? Caples named the place in 1912. The meaning of the Hawaiian word Aloha is varied according to the relationship existing between the persons using the word and also depending upon the time of day it is used and whether it is at a meeting or a departure. It also depends to a certain extent upon what conversation took place just previous to its use and the gesture which ofttimes accompanies it. On meeting anyone in the morning the use of the word indicates "good morning" and in the even. ing "good evening," but on leaving at night it means "good night." If it is used at the time of departure on a journey it means "farewell," and it is also very generally used as an affectionate greeting even when addressed to strangers.
ALOYSIUS, Josephine County. Aloysius post office apparently operated at the Leonard ranch in the Althouse district. Mary E. Leonard was the postmaster. Aloysius post office was established July 12, 1888, and was discontinued November 30, 1889. The available business was turned over to Althouse. James T. Chinnock, long a student of southern Oregon history, wrote from Grants Pass in April, 1948, substantially as follows: "Lawrence Leonard and Mary Ellen Leonard, his wife, were pioneer settlers in the Illinois Valley in Josephine County. Lawrence Leonard was a native of Ireland, his wife of Ohio, They owned several farms and also mining property. Among the children was William Aloysius Leonard, born in 1875, died in 1915. Aloysius post office was established in 1888 with Mrs. Leonard postmaster, and I am sure the establishment was given the middle name of this son." Aloysius is the patron saint of the young, and his name is frequently given to Catholic children.
ALPHA, Lane County. The post office at Alpha was established in 1890, and was named for Alpha Lundy, a young girl living in the community. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.
ALPINE, Benton County. This little settlement was named because of its location near the top of one of the foothills of the Coast Range. The situation is not particularly alpine in character but is attractive nevertheless. The community took its name from the Alpine School. This school had been operated with the name for several years prior to the time the community was started. The post office was established in 1912, according to information furnished by the postmaster in 1926.
ALPINE, Morrow County. Just what there was to suggest the name Alpine for a post office in eastern Morrow County about 20 miles north of Heppner the compiler cannot imagine, but that is the record. This office was established October 3, 1884, with G. H. Parsell first postmaster. It continued in service until July 27, 1894, when it was closed out to Galloway, a nearby office. A directory for 1886 says Alpine was a special supply post office, but there is no explanation of the term. The compiler's recollection of the locality is that it is not alpine in character, and the name may have been brought in from elsewhere. As of 1940 a diagram of Morrow County shows a precinct called Alpine in the northeast part of the county.
ALSEA, Benton County. The name Alseya Settlement appears on the Surveyor General's map of 1855. The legend stretches along the river, and the center of the settlement is a little to the west of the present community Alsea. This is the earliest appearance of the name for the place that the compiler has been able to locate. It was not until July, 1871, that Alsea post office was established, with Thomas Russell postmaster.
