dent of Helix, and at a community meeting told the audience that about the time the post office was established, one of his patients developed a very sore ear and had to be taken to Pendleton for treatment. The patient was either Henderson or Peter Hjelseng. During a consultation with another doctor in Pendleton, the word helix was mentioned, and the sick man thought it would be a fine name for the proposed office. In November, 1927, H. V. Christensen of Helix, wrote the compiler and described the event. In April, 1942, Dr. F. W. Vincent of Pendleton visit— ed Helix at the request of the compiler and made inquiries about the matter. He was told the story of the infected ear and was informed that Henderson was the patient. Dr. F. A. Kiehle of Portland told the compiler that he heard this story after he came to Oregon in 1908 from the secretary of one of the medical societies. Reports that Henderson's first name was Helix have not been substantiated.
HELLOFF CREEK, Tillamook County. Helloff Creek flows into Nehalem River from the north near Rector, and got its odd name because the rough area along the banks of the stream presented such difficulties to cruisers and loggers. There is a little flat near the mouth of the creek, which was said to be just off hell. When a logging camp was established on the flat, it was called Helloff, and that name was used for the post office, which was established January 17, 1920, with Francis E. Hays first of four postmasters. The office was closed March 31, 1924, and little evidence remains of the place.
HELLS CANYON, Wallowa County. This is a rough, deep canyon that empties into Snake River in township 3 south, range 49 east. It has been so called for many years. The rapids in Snake River at the mouth of the canyon are known as Hells Canyon Rapids. The extension of the name Hells Canyon so as to include all of the Grand Canyon of Snake River seems quite unwarranted.
HELMICK Hill, Polk County. Helmick Hill is just west of the point where the Pacific Highway West crosses Luckiamute River. It was named for Henry Helmick, a pioneer of 1845, who with his wife Sarah took up a donation land claim on the Luckiamute in 1846. Their home was at the base of the hill. Helmick died in 1877. In 1924 Mrs. Helmick presented to the state land adjacent to the highway for a park which was dedicated with appropriate honors, and named Helmick Park. She celebrated her 100th birthday on July 4, 1923. For information about the Helmick family and the park see OHQ, December, 1925.
HELVETIA, Washington County. Helvetia is a station on North Plains. Several Swiss families settled in the neighborhood and gave the place the Latin or Roman name of their mother country. For story of the early history of the community, see the Hillsboro Argus, December 31, 1931. It is said that David Tschabold moved to adopt the name Helvetia at a meeting of the local school board in 1892.
HEMBREE, Tillamook County. The post office serving the Sand Lake section was first called Hembree, in compliment to a local resident. Hembree post office was established July 10, 1890, with Absalom J. Hembree first postmaster. The name of the office was changed to Sandlake on January 18, 1898. The writer does not know to what extent it may have been moved around the neighborhood.
HEMLOCK, Tillamook County. There are a number of geographic features in Oregon named for the hemlock tree, which is an important
