150 Years 1872-1886 The Dalles THE DECADES OF HISTORY PART TWO OF THE DALLES CHRONICLE'S TEN-PART SERIES. March 30, 2007 page 6 HOW DOG RIVER GOT ITS NAME MR. EDITOR: - It may be of some interest to you, and the readers of the MOUNTAINEER to know of a little incident whereby Dog River received its name. Having been fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of a gentleman by the name of James Johnson, a wealthy farmer now living in Yamhill county, Oregon, but formerly from Indiana, and by the by a very pleasing and agreeable gentleman, from him I learn the following facts: Mr. Johnson and family were part of a train of emigrants who came across the plains in 1844. On reaching the Dalles they divided up, a gentleman by the name of Garrish and others made a raft on which they put their wagons and etc., to go on down the Columbia river. Another gentleman by the name of McCallister had a favorite and valuable dog, which he sent on the raft in care of his neighbor Garrish, for safe keeping; himself remaining at the Dalles; the raft reaching about 25 miles down the Columbia and finding a nice stream coming from the direction of Mount Hood the party camped and at this very place they killed and eat McCallister's dog. After this when ever referring to this place it was spoken of as Dog River and it is so called at the present time, but by others it is called Hood River. Doubtless there are many now living who came out in the same train, that may remember the circumstance and read this with a kind of sad pleasure. It may bring back to their minds many amusing incidents, also many trials and hardships common to the early emigrants and settlers of Oregon. I am sorry I could not learn all the names of the party; I am told the Rowland brothers, who are well known in Wasco county, were in the same train, also an old man they called old Grandpa Perkins. Hoping this may be of interest to many, who like myself have often wondered how it received the name of Dog river, I remain, W. May 28, 1874. Incoming and Outgoing messages protected by Trend Micro PC-cillin program