Page:Oregon Geographic Names, third edition.djvu/237



ESTRUP, Lane County. Estrup post office was established on the Lane County list as of March 31, 1898, with Peter E. Peterson postmaster. This office was west of Junction City, probably not far from the place that was later called Horton. According to information which is believed to be reliable Peterson named the post office with a Danish name, but the compiler has been unable to learn the exact significance of the word Estrup. According to J. J. Winn, an old timer in Lane County, the name Estrup may have been derived from the name of a Danish queen, but reference books do not mention such a sovereign, Estrup is or was a family name in Denmark but the compiler can find no record of its being a given name. Jacob B. S. Estrup was a prominent member of the Danish government at various times in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It is reported that there is a village called Estrup in SchleswigHolstein and in 1905 there was an Estruplund parish in Denmark. It seems obvious that the name of the Lane County post office had its origin in Denmark. According to post office records Samuel M. Horton was appointed postmaster of Estrup post office on September 27, 1901. The office was discontinued April 4, 1902. Mr. Winn says that Horton never actually served as postmaster.

ETELKA, Coos County. Etelka post office, which was established September 23, 1891, was named for a famous Hungarian opera singer, Etelka Gerster, 1855-1920. Mlle. Gerster, whose married name was Gardini, had a distinguished career both on the continent and in the British Isles. She also sang in America. For additional information see Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, volume II. Etelka post office remained in service until March 30, 1909, with Julia A. Carman the only postmaster. It was about ten miles south of Myrtle Point, near South Fork Coquille River. In July, 1948, Mrs. Mary E. Coke of San Diego wrote the compiler that she was a daughter of Mrs. Carman and that she selected the name Etelka from a magazine or catalogue. She was then a young girl. The compiler has been told that in recent years Etelka has been referred to as Etalka but that certainly was not the name of the post office.

ETNA, Jackson County. Etna was an early-day post office and located on upper Rogue River, and for a time at least the office was about four miles below the present site of Trail. Doubtless it moved around, but it was always close to Rogue River. The post office was established July 5, 1882, with William P. Knighten first of five postmasters, and was discontinued June 26, 1896, when Louis J. Marck was postmaster. In the summer of 1946 the compiler had some correspondence about this office with D. W. Pence of Eagle Point. It was Mr. Pence's recollection that Etna post office was named for the niece of one of the postmasters, possibly of Mr. Marck. Mr. Pence was of the opinion that Marck was the first postmaster, but this is not in accord with government records. The compiler thinks that the girl was probably the niece of one of the earlier postmasters, probably of the first, William P. Knighten.

ETNA, Polk County. Etna was a post office at the Riggs place a few miles north of Rickreall, but the reason for the name seems to have eluded historical records. The office was established September 4, 1856, with Thomas J. Riggs first and only postmaster. It was discontinued May 8, 1868. Rickreall post office was out of service from 1857 to 1866, so there was need of another office in the locality. Despite help from various Polk County people, including Cecil L. Riggs of Dallas, the com