Felida

"Felida, a town north of Vancouver in Clarke County. The naming of the original postoffice passed through a curious evolution. Mr. McIrvin, the first postmaster, wished to call it Lake View, but there was already a postoffice with that name in the state. John D. Geoghegan suggested by the name of Powley in honor of an old settler. When the papers came from the Postoffice Department the name was spelled 'Polly.' There was already a postoffice named Sara in the same region, and the postmaster objected to 'Polly.' C.C. Lewis, who worked in the store and served as assistant postmaster, had a valuable cat, and at his suggestion the new office was to be called 'Thomas.' The settlers were ambitious and rebelled against such a name for their growing town. Lewis was persistent, but approached the problem from another angle. He suggested that they look up the Latin name for the cat's family. This was found to be Felidae, and the name shortened to Felida was accepted." (Clipping from the Vancouver Columbia, November 20, 1915)

 Origin of Washington geographic names, 1923

 

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