Page:Oregon Geographic Names, third edition.djvu/287



GORE CREEK, Jackson County. Gore Creek is a tributary to Bear Creek at a point about three miles southeast of Medford. It flows in from the south and passes under the Pacific Highway. It was named in compliment to Elijah Emerson and Mary Elizabeth Gore, who came to Oregon from Lee County, Iowa, in 1852. The Gores settled in the Rogue River Valley on September 27 of that year. The first winter was spent at Jacksonville, and then the family moved to a donation land claim near what is now Voorhies station, and adjacent to the stream. The name has been approved by USBGN.

GORMAN, Sherman County. Gorman post office was established August 25, 1892, and was discontinued on October 5, 1900. John E. Morrow was the first of three postmasters. In June, 1948, Giles L. French of Moro wrote the compiler that the Morrow family homesteaded in section 30, township 1 north, range 19 east. It is believed that the name Gorman perhaps came from a local resident but that is not certain. There was a Gorman school district in this locality on what is known as Starvation Point. Mr. French says that name was given for obvious reasons.

GOSHEN, Lane County. In biblical geography, Goshen was a pastoral region in lower Egypt, occupied and colonized by the Israelites before the Exodus. The compiler does not know who applied the name to the Lane County community. Goshen post office was first established September 6, 1874, with John Handsaker first postmaster.

GOURLAY CREEK, Columbia and Washington counties. This little stream is a tributary to South Scappoose Creek. It was named for Alexander Gourlay, a pioneer homesteader nearby.

GOVERNMENT CAMP, Clackamas County. The First U. S. Mounted Rifles crossed the plains in 1849, and reached The Dalles in the fall of that year. Most of the soldiers were taken down the river to Vancouver by boat, but a small command was left behind with the wagons and animals. Before the horses and mules could recuperate from the overland journey, the command was ordered to Oregon City by way of the Barlow Road. Nearly two-thirds of the animals were lost in trying to travel around Mount Hood, and 45 of the wagons were abandoned. There was much controversy both before and after the trip about the advisability of attempting it with the stock in such poor condition. The name Government Camp came from the fact that some of the wagons were abandoned nearby and remained as evidence of military activity. Government Camp is on the Mount Hood Loop Highway and has an elevation of 3888 feet. Official reports about the First U. S. Mounted Rifles are to be found in 31st Congress, 2nd Session, Senate Executive Document 1, part II, page 126, et seq. There are many interesting illustrations. The journals have been edited by Raymond W. Settle with the title March of the Mounted Riflemen, Clark Company, Glendale, 1940. See also Bancroft's History of Oregon, volume II, page 82, and Portland Telegram editorial page, March 1, 1926.

GOVERNMENT Island, Multnomah County. Government Island is in the Columbia River. Broughton spent the night of October 29, 1792, in the vicinity of this island. In fact, he may have camped on the island itself, or possibly on Lemon Island. Broughton spent the day of October 30 exploring the Columbia River to a point above Sandy River, and returning in the evening, camping not far from his position of the