Page:Oregon Geographic Names, third edition.djvu/68

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BETH Mountains. It is impossible to determine from existing knowledge just what county it is in. It was named about 1914 by a party of climbers and the name was suggested by Clyde B. Aitchison in compliment to Governor Benson. Frank W. Benson was born at San Jose, California, March 20, 1858. He came to Oregon with his parents in 1864 and except for a short time lived most of his life in Douglas County. He taught school, and was county clerk from 1892 to 1896. He served as secretary of state for Oregon from January 15, 1907, until his death on April 14, 1911. During that time he was governor from March 1, 1909, to June 17, 1910. He was a citizen of high character, and was greatly esteemed.

BENTON COUNTY. Benton County, which is in the west part of the Willamette Valley, was created December 23, 1847, by the provisional leg. islature (General and Special Laws of 1843-9, page 50). It was named in honor of Thomas Hart Benton, who was born in North Carolina on March 14, 1782, and died in Washington, D. C., April 10, 1858. For 30 years he was a member of the United States Senate from Missouri, and one of the great events of his active life was his espousal, with his colleague, Senator Lewis F. Linn, of the extension of the control of the United States into the Oregon country. For an excellent short biography of Senator Benton, see the Encyclopedia Britannica. See also Scott's History of the Oregon Country. Benton County has an area according to the U. S. Bureau of the Census of 647 square miles, and an excellent map of the county is published in the Benton County Soil Survey by the U. S. Bureau of Soils of the Department of Agriculture.

BERDUGO, Harney County. Berdugo post office was situated in the Catlow Valley near the Roaring Springs Ranch and was named for Joaquin "Chino" Berdugo, one of Peter French's early vaqueros. The post office was established August 17, 1915, with Rita M. Kiphart first and only postmaster. The office was closed September 29, 1927, with papers to Blitzen.

BERKLEY, Lane County. Berkley post office was established March 1, 1907, with David B. Allison first and only postmaster. The office was closed December 31, 1908, but the record fails to show what other office fell heir to the business. Berkley post office was situated a little northnortheast of the present location of Noti. The place was named with the second name of the postmaster, David Berkley Allison.

BERKLEY, Umatilla County. Berkley post office was named for a small community in Boone County, Iowa. The Umatilla County office was in the farm home of Thomas Coleman Gettings, who, with his family, came from Iowa to Umatilla County in 1902. Berkley post office was established July, 1903, and operated until February 28, 1905. It was in section 20, of township 4 north, range 37 east, about ten miles east of Weston.

BERLIN, Linn County. Berlin is a community near Hamilton Creek, about seven miles southeast of Lebanon. In the early days of the county the Bellingers, Burrells and other pioneer families living in the vicinity were admirers of fine racing stock. The annual fair at Albany did not seem to satisfy their sporting spirit, so they began to hold their own races near the residence of Mr. Burrell. Burrell entertained all comers with true western hospitality. Finally the attendance was so large that he was forced to make a charge for meals and his home was referred to as Burrell's Inn. When the post office was established it was decided to name the place Burl Inn. This was cumbersome and the consolidation, in hogy a loy 11 pred 500 14 pa 99