Two letters published in the Bellingham Sentinel this week tell how Wiser Lake, and Laurel received their names. The following are the interesting descriptions: "Some 25 years ago Mr. WIGHT and I, like countless other couples since time began, found ourselves with a baby daughter for whom it was our pleasant duty to find a name. She was so precious that no common name would do. Day after day we searched our memories and our books. Family and friends offered names and suggestions, but all fell short of the requirements. At last, almost as an inspiration, 'Laurel' came into my mind the one word complete in itself, it needed no second name to brace it up. It suited us perfectly and 'Laurel" was the name we gave her. "An eccentric neighbor criticised us severely for our choice, saying 'Laurel' meant bitter, and that she would bring us nothing but sorrow unless we changed her name. We remained obstinate, however, and took the risk, later, in the year 1891, a postoffice was established at what is now known as the Laurel corner, with my brother, L. M. ADAMS, as postmaster. "Meridian was the name first given but it was found that there was already a postoffice by that name in the state, so a new name had to be chosen. Laurel, in honor of the little one was selected. The postoffice was discontinued after a few years, but the name remained." Mrs. M. O. WIGHT. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "The oldest white settler in Lynden told me the Indian name for the lake signified Elk, but the whites called it Cougar lake at the time of my arrival in 1882. "In 1872 Jacob WISER filed on 160 acres of land at the west end of the lake, but never proved up on it, so in seven years it reverted back to the government. Two other men undertook to make a home of the same land, but starved out, or perhaps 'got cold feet.' "In November, 1882, I filed on the land, thinking that a man brave enough to to into the wilderness as WISER did, should have his name given to the lake, and so from that day to this it has gone by that name. We had a postoffice here eight or ten years ago, and I named that Wiser, and singular as it may seem, there was not another postoffice in the United States by that name. The nearest was Weiser postoffice in Idaho. W. R. DORR. "P. S. - The old cabin that WISER built is still standing, the roof of shaved shingles being put on forty-four years ago." |
