previous night. The next white men to visit the island were Lewis and Clark, on November 3, 1805. They called it Diamond Island, because of its shape. The Lewis and Clark maps indicate that what is now known as Government Island was then divided into two large islands, besides smaller ones, and it was the upper of the two larger islands that was named Diamond. The lower island is not named in the text, but the maps show it and another islet to the west as White Goose Island. This western islet is probably the Lemon Island of today. The two larger islands are now consolidated, though part of the dividing channel still exists. At the time of Lewis and Clark the western of the two larger islands was nearly consolidated with the islet to the west mentioned above. In February, 1850, the government reserved this island for military purposes, and raised hay on it. It was then called Miller's Island. The name, Government Island, came into use after government occupation. See Bancroft's History of Oregon, volume II, page 89, and the Secretary of War's annual report, dated December 4, 1852, page 123.
GRABENHORST CORNERS, Marion County. Grabenhorst Corners are about four miles south of Salem, on the Pacific Highway East. These corners were named for G. H. Grabenhorst, who owned land nearby.
GRADE, Wheeler County. Grade post office was established June 28, 1880, with George M. Wasson first postmaster. This office was named for a short section of the old stage road from Antelope to Mitchell. This section was known as The Grade, and it had been cut out of the side hill on the southwest side of John Day River just south of the mouth of Cherry Creek, at the very west edge of what is now Wheeler County. The post office and toll house were in the southeast corner of township 9 south, range 20 east. In the summer of 1947 Mrs. Goldie Van Bibber (Mrs. Charles F.) Putnam of Inchelium. Washington, sent the compiler some very entertaining reminiscences of youthful experiences at The Grade. According to Mrs. Putnam the original stage and freight road in this locality was difficult and dangerous and it was improved by a man called "Monty," the improvements being made by hand labor over a period of several years. Monty did not live long to enjoy the fruits of his lahor. Monty was another name for the postmaster, George Montgomery Wasson. Addie S. Masterson was appointed postmaster on October 24, 1882, and the name of the office was changed to Burnt Ranch on January 15. 1883. About this time the office was doubtless moved from its original location to the site of Burnt Ranch about four miles east, near the mouth of Bridge Creek. Grade office was reestablished in May, 1896, by change from Burnt Ranch, and it was in the period of 1897-98 that Hattie Van Bibber, Mrs. Putnam's mother, was postmaster. The office was closed July 31, 1901. Grade post office and toll house was a natural stopping place for the freighters, and Mr. Van Bibber operated a smithy to take care of the trade. Among other matters Mrs. Putnam writes of the following: "Mother was postmistress; served meals to freighters at twenty-five cents and collected the toll for "Mac" Cornett, who was interested in the road. The toll was twenty-five cents for each horse, regardless of the number of wagons or their weight. We could not charge Indians and preachers, and naturally there was no charge to the neighbors. In good weather there were often ten, twelve or even twenty freighters camping along the road from the house far up past the blacksmith shop. It was a sight to remember to see the Grade at starting
