rect date, the right initials, the proper spelling. Once an error was demonstrated a correction was cheerfully recorded for the next volume.
Following the Oregon Historical Quarterly installments that went to the making of the first edition there appeared five new groups of names in the issues of the Quarterly from December, 1942, through December, 1943, and these, with the corrections, and other names and their stories made the new material in the second edition. The third and last assembly began in the Quarterly for December, 1945. In this group there were fifteen installments altogether continuing through the issue for June, 1949. After the first the caption sub-head was the telephone phrase given wide currency by the popular radio program, "Information Please," thus still expressing the wish for more facts. These fifteen installments provide the new material in this volume.
It was but natural that in the first edition there would be included the more important and the better known Oregon place names. There were two thousand two hundred sixty three of these altogether. Seven hundred and thirty seven were added in the second edition and in this volume there are three thousand nine hundred forty-seven names. The nine hundred forty seven that are now in this edition are chiefly of post offices of which many had but temporary life. By inclusion here, however, they are assured their place in Oregon local history.
Some day there will be a candidate for an advanced degree at the University who will take for the subject of his thesis this volume of McArthur's Oregon Geographic Names. He will note in his thesis the proper names and their number that he finds in the text. He will list all the dates that are given. He will catalogue the books, the histories, the printed records from which quotations are taken or which are otherwise mentioned. He will describe the files of the letters from and to McArthur about Oregon names and now deposited with the Oregon Historical Society. He will speak of the clippings with facts on a name or names collected by McArthur also in the Society's archives. When his work has been completed he will remain astounded by what he has found just as we who wander through the book today marvel at what it represents and at all it contains.
Lewis A. McArthur, known to his friends as "Tam," by no means lived by names alone. These were but one of his avocations. The others included stamps, the mapping of Oregon from official topographic surveys, the establishment and recording of bench marks and level lines, the enjoyment of history and literature, book collecting. All these were in his orbit and he took satisfaction in them all while yet engaged in his vocation of electric utility executive. Much from these varied interests helped with this book.
In that Oregonian editorial from which the opening sentences were
