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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Those selfies could be used against you in court ... Medford police: Man killed in shooting on Iowa Street ... Three Democrats, two Republicans vie for Oregon secretary of state job ... Those selfies could be used against you in court ... Medford police: Man killed in shooting on Iowa Street ... Three Democrats, two Republicans vie for Oregon secretary of state job ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: 'Siskiyou' likely came from Cree language Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 30, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 30, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News I am trying to find out where the word "Siskiyou" came from and what it means. Some say it is a Cree word, others say Cheyenne. Mostly, what does it mean? Thanks to all you hard workers. Always read your column. — Jo Ann M. Jo Ann, there is no definite answer to your questions, but there are a couple of theories as to where the word "Siskiyou" came from. The first mention of the word in relation to the mountain range that rises up between the Coastal Range and the Cascades came from trappers with the Hudson's Bay Company. But where they came up with the name is semi-obscured by the fog of time. There seem to be two plausible theories: The word's origin most widely embraced comes from a reference to a horse and was indeed a Cree word. According to the 1863 "Dictionary of the Chinook Jargon," the word is Cree for a bobtail horse. The dictionary goes on to tell the story of Hudson's Bay chief factor Archibald McLeod losing numerous animals in a snowstorm, including a bobtail racehorse, as he traversed the mountains with a pack train in 1828. According to the book, "His Canadian followers, in compliment to their chief ... named the place the Pass of the Siskiyou." The Cree people primarily live in Canada. A Cree dictionary published in 1874 says the Cree word "sisikiyawatim" refers to a spotted horse or possibly a packhorse. A second, less-popular option is that the word comes from the French, "six cailloux," meaning six stones. Reports say six stones were used to cross various streams, including the Umpqua River, but according to the book "Oregon Geographic Names," there are numerous versions of that story, none authenticated. Credit where credit is due: All of the above information came from "Oregon Geographic Names." It's a great book for anyone interested in Oregon history. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 30, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501