"Memaloose"

[John Schilke]

LaXayem, Sikhs!

Today's Oregonian contains a note by John Terry (remember, under
copyright) in response to a reader's question about Memaloose.  In answer
he wrote,

--The name comes from the native Chinook word "memalust," meaning "to
die," according to Lewis L. McArthur in "Oregon Geographic Names."  He
cites George Gibbs, an early surveyor and ethnologist who did a lot of
work throughout Oregon and Washington for the U.S. Government.
	Gibbs labeled mumerous places in the region "memaloost," but the
spelling "memaloose" was later adopted by the U.S. Goard of Geographic
Names.  It translated literally as "a place of death," the closest
English word being simply "cemetery."  Any site bearing the name is
regarded by natives as sacred burial ground.
	There are several islands in the Columbia River known as
"Memaloose," some now submerged asa  results of dam construction.  The
most significant, according to McArthur, is close to the south bank of
the river between The Dalles and Mosier, visible from the viewpoint at
Memaloose State Park.
	Among those buried there is Vic Trevitt, "a prominent pioneer
citizen and for many years a resident of The Dalles," McArthur says.
"His monument is easily seen from the mainland."