Page:Oregon Geographic Names, third edition.djvu/539

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PIT ci Pia bb Ti 10 This stream, has been known by its present name ever since white men first visited the country. Bishop Blanchet's account of the Catholic Church in Oregon says the French were first to call it by this name. The Indians there were a peculiarly troublesome lot; hence,' says Blanchet, the name "Les Coquins" (the Rogues) and "La Riviere aux Coquins" (The Rogue River) was given to the country by the men of the brigade. So far then, is it from the fact, that Rogue River is a corruption or change from the alleged 'Rouge' River of the French. The actual truth is that the French called it Rogue River themselves. Everything is against the assumption that it once was 'Rouge River'—changed by Missourians to Rogue River, on the theory that 'them French couldn't spell'." In his journal for Monday, September 16, 1833, John Work of the Hudson's Bay Company uses the name River Coquin, referring to what is now known as Rogue River, and the text indicates that the name Coquin was already in use by the fur brigades. In September, 1841, Henry Eld of the Wilkes Expedition used the names Rogue River and Rascally River in his journal. Wm. P. McArthur charted this stream as Rogue River for the U. S. Coast Survey in 1850. Rogue River was called by the Indians Trashit, and by act of the territorial legislature, January 12, 1854, Gold River. See Session Laws, page 29; also the Oregonian, November 15, 1883; letter by "Pioneer." The old name was restored in 1855. For history of the name, see the Oregonian, November 15, 1883. For entertaining editorial about name Rogue River, larded with poetry, ibid., May 23, 1935. Rogue River, Jackson County. Rogue River is the name of a town on Rogue River at the mouth of Evans Creek. It was for many years known as Woodville, but about 1912 the name was changed to Rogue River, presumably on account of the better advertising the community would get with that name. In the early '50s the settlers near the mouth of Evans Creek and west to Evans Ferry were served through Gold River post office, which was at the ferry about three miles from the present site of Rogue River office. See under Evans CREEK. Woodville post office was established February 8, 1876, with John Woods first postmaster. Presumably the place was named for Woods. The post office was changed to Rogue River on March 11, 1912. Rogue River, Polk County. This stream flows into South Yamhill River. It was named because Rogue River Indians lived along its banks after they came from southern Oregon to Grand Ronde Agency.

ROLAND, Coos County. Roland post office was established February 12, 1880, with William N. Warner first and only postmaster. The office was closed November 20, 1882, and what business there was turned over to Myrtle Point. The name of the office was intended to compliment William Rowland, a noted pioneer settler in the south end of the county, but there was a slip in the spelling. Information about William Rowland will be found under RowLAND PRAIRIE and Fort ROWLAND.

ROLLING GROUNDS, Douglas County. These are about 15 miles west of Diamond Lake. They are so called because stock comes from some distance to roll in the light volcanic soil that abounds thereabout.

ROLYAT, Deschutes County, Rolyat is Taylor spelled backward. The post office was established September 15, 1910. It is said that Taylor was the name of a postal official in Washington who had something to do with establishing the office. Victor Schreder was first postmaster.