The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., February 10, 1911, page 4
NAMING COUNTY
When it came to a name for the proposed new county a
majority of those boasting the division wanted "White Salmon county," and
as time did not permit a larger vote on the name it has gone into the bill
that away. Other names proposed were: Laurel, Glen, Joslyn (after the first
pioneer), Jewett, Cascade, Pomona (meaning apple), Wauna (Indian name for
Columbia river), Appleton and Fruit county. While some of the other names
are shorter, smoother and suggestive of the past, White Salmon was chosen
for its probable commercial value. Although the name is suggestive of fish,
it has become famous for apples and berries, and those who have already heard
of the valley will know at once where the new county is and that it must
be developing fast.
A.W. Nickolsen writes on the matter of naming the county
as follows:
"I sincerely hope that it will be a distinctively western
name, preferably an Indian one, as there are many euphonious and characteristic
names which are so much better than continual imitation of the Eastern habit
of naming after some person.
If it is named after any person, however, it should
undoubtedly be Mr. Jewett, who has done a great deal for Western Klickitat,
particularly White Salmon. I hope, however, that if we must lose the name
of Klickitat, we will have something equally distinctive.
There are names of some of the old chiefs, Wahkiacus,
Wahkiakus, Wallihee and many others to choose from, besides names with some
special meaning. The Indian name for the beautiful wild lilac, which grows
so plentifully in the White Salmon Valley seems to me a very appropriate
one and musical: Shushula. Another, not so musical, but very good is Equannant,
or Equonnot, meaning Salmon. Of them all it seems to me that Shushula is
the most musical, the easiest to carry in the memory and decidedly catchy,
which means a good deal in advertising a district.
It seems a great pity to have to give up "Klickitat"
which has always been a joy to me. I like to roll the name under my tongue.
It has such a good flavor. In spite of the popular legend as to its meaning
the "spirit of the mountain" it really means, as I have been told by old
Klickitats, who are shy about imparting the knowledge since they have children
in the white men's schools: Horsethief, and I prefer that meaning, as it
has far more flavor to it than any other. "Can't you 'ear my 'orse's legs,
as he canters and canters and canters away? Klickitat, Klickitat, Klickitat,
that's what I 'hear him say," (To swap Tennyson round a bit.) Only it would
be a run instead of a canter.
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer