Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/376

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310
Lewis A. McArthur

resulting in the use of many pioneer family names for Oregon features, particularly for streams and mountains.

Fourth—The Indian wars and the mining periods, resulting in the application of the names of soldiers, and also of picturesque nomenclature that always follows the early pursuit of gold.

Fifth—The modern period of made up names, real estate phraseology, and occasionally a praiseworthy effort to apply a suitable historic or Indian name to something that now bears a monstrosity.

The compiler has for many years gathered notes on the origin of Oregon geographic names, and after the publication of this information in the Oregon Historical Society Quarterly, it is hoped that the various chapters may be consolidated and issued in book form. The writer is particularly anxious to have corrections and suggestions pertaining to the names discussed in this issue, and will welcome such if addressed to Lewis A. McArthur, Gasco Building, Portland, Oregon. He is very desirous of getting additional items, as he realizes t many names have been omitted.

The work of others has been freely drawn upon. When Leslie M. Scott collated the writings of his father published them under the title History of the Oregon Country, he presented a storehouse of information about Oregon geographic names. The writer has found this information of incalculable value. Material compiled by Judge Charles H. Carey, T. C. Elliott, Will G. Steel and H. H. Bancroft has been referred to constantly, and the verbal suggestions of Geo. H. Himes have been more than welcome. Professor Edmond S. Meany's Origin of Washington Geographic Names has been used quite freely, and should be in the library of everyone interested in the history of the Oregon country. Where elevations are given for communities, they indicate the elevations of important government bench marks, expressed to the nearest foot.