James Chamberlain of Roseburg is the new operator who succeeds Mr. Beek at the depot."
Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 24, 1893, page 3


    A new foundation has been put under the railroad water tank at this place.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 16, 1893, page 2


    Mr. Hudson is assisting Mr. Lippincott at the depot, succeeding Mr. Chamberlain, who has returned to Roseburg.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 28, 1893, page 2




    Foreman Kuckartz is here with his depot repair gang and is making some needed improvements about the S.P. station house.
"All the Local News," Medford Mail, February 2, 1894, page 3


    J. W. Hockersmith has secured about 300 signers to a petition to the S.P. Co. to remove the stockyards at Medford from their present location to a point further north, near the distillery [at Jackson Street]. The object of the change is to do away with the necessity of driving stock through some of the principal streets of the town to reach the yards, which is always attended with more or less danger and inconvenience.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 2, 1894, page 2


     That the Southern Pacific Company is making a mistake in putting their stock yards so near the center of the city.
"We Hear It Said," Medford Mail, June 15, 1894, page 2


    The Southern Pacific has men at work this week building new stock yards. The location for the new yards is on the west side of the track and directly west from the company's water tank. There will be two enclosures, 44x48 in size. In these will be built water troughs, and water pipes will be laid thereto from the tank, thus giving the convenience of watering stock without taking them from the yards.
"News of the City," Medford Mail, June 15, 1894, page 3


    Section Foreman Kelley has his crew at work this week clearing the mud away from the street crossing south of the depot and raising and ballasting the sidetrack--all of which is an improvement. Now if Joe will hitch his little army of sturdy laborers to the gable end of that depot and jerk it out of the street, and so disable it as to compel the S.P. folks to build a new and larger one, we Medford people will see to it that he is made king of this whole domain.
Medford Mail, February 12, 1897, page 7


    The S.P. Co. has made some needed improvements around the depot, filling in the crossings with stone and gravel.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 17, 1898, page 3


    The old board platform in front of the S.P. depot has been torn away, and the ground has been treated to a liberal coat of decomposed gravel. The pond of water under the building was a menace to the health of the community for some time.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 27, 1898, page 3


    On account of the increased business caused by the new passenger train service on the S.P., it has been found necessary to increase the force at the depot.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 23, 1899, page 2




    Rails are here for the construction of a temporary track to the old depot--for the purpose of removing that structure. The depot will be raised high enough to permit of laying a track under it and to admit of flatcars running under. The building will then be lowered onto the cars and taken to Talent, where it will be placed in position for a station house.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, May 25, 1900, page 7

    The old Southern Pacific depot at this place is now only a memory. It was placed on three flatcars Sunday and Monday, and yesterday it was taken to Talent, where it will resume its work as a station house. The building was raised bodily from the ground by means of jackscrews, and when high enough to permit a flatcar to pass under it a track was laid from the west siding and under it, and then the cars were run under and the building lowered onto them and the structure was started Talentward. The improvement which its removal makes in the appearance of our principal street is decidedly noticeable, and many are the comments passed upon the general improved appearance of the town.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, June 15, 1900, page 7


    The S.P. Co. has completed the new siding at Talent, and that town will soon have complete station facilities. The old Medford depot has been moved there. M. W. Dunham will act as agent.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 18, 1900, page


    Talent's new depot will soon be finished, and will be a credit to that flourishing village.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 16, 1900, page 3


    There is a great need of a street crossing on the railroad grounds, across Seventh Street, near the depot. More people cross Seventh Street at this point than at any other, or at least, more people would cross there if a crossing was put in. Many of these people are strangers in our town, moving between the two depots, and when compelled to walk in mud ankle deep the impression formed of our town is not a very exalted one.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 25, 1901, page 7   Apparently there was briefly a freight depot on North Front.


    Several changes in the office force at the S.P. depot have taken place this week. H. Brodie, who has been acting as night operator for several months, has been transferred to McMinnville, and left for that place Thursday morning. W. J. Mahoney, former day operator, has been assigned to the position of night man, and L. F. Knowlton, of Junction City, arrived here Wednesday and has succeeded Mr. Mahoney as day operator. Mr. Knowlton entered upon his duties Thursday morning. He is a gentleman of very pleasing appearance and will no doubt give entire satisfaction to the traveling public.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, April 26, 1901, page 6


    Our old friend and knight of the key Luke Knowlton arrived Wednesday from Junction City and is now installed as day operator at the depot. H. Brodie, who has been for some time night operator, goes to McMinnville, while Walla Mahoney, who has been for several months day operator, takes his old position as night operator.
Medford Enquirer, April 27, 1901, page 5


    L. F. Knowlton arrived from Junction City lately, and has assumed a position at the depot. He comes highly recommended.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 2, 1901, page 7


    A Southern Pacific carpenter crew was in Medford last week for the purpose of installing their meter, as per contract with the city council. The company is now using city water, after an experience of several months in supplying their own water from a well near the water tank--an experiment that proved not altogether successful.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, June 14, 1901, page 6


    W. J. Mahoney, night operator at the Southern Pacific station in this city, has taken a month's layoff and will leave this week for a visit with friends in Washington. Lee Minkler, of Ashland, is attending to the duties of night operator during his absence.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, July 5, 1901, page 6


    W. J. Mahoney returned to Medford Thursday morning, having been called back from his visit in order to relieve agent Lippincott, who expects to leave today for Los Angeles to look after the affairs of his father, whose death occurred at that place last Sunday.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, July 12, 1901, page 6


    Wallace Woods unloaded four carloads of lumber this week. The same day these were received two carloads of wheat and one of ice were sent out--showing that business continues good at the Southern Pacific depot. The amount of local freight received at this station is very large, it being one from one to four carloads daily.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, July 19, 1901, page 7


Medford Mail, August 16, 1901, page 2


    L. F. Knowlton, day operator at the Southern Pacific depot in this city, is visiting relatives in the Willamette Valley. His place here is being filled by E. A. Neal.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, August 16, 1901, page 6


    Operator Knowlton returned to Medford Saturday from his outing at Newport and is now at his post at the Southern Pacific depot in this city.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, September 6, 1901, page 6


    The Southern Pacific Railroad Company has placed a rain gauge near the depot, and each day when rain has fallen a record will be made of the amount. All stations on the line are provided with similar gauges.
"Additional Local," Medford Mail, September 13, 1901, page 6


    Joe Parker, baggage man and freight agent for the Southern Pacific Company, is at Portland this week having a good time at the carnival and taking a well-earned rest. Otis Hubbard is "doing business" in Joe's several capacities at the depot--and doing it right--and satisfactorily.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, September 27, 1901, page 6


    Some means ought to be adopted, either by the city or the railroad company, to do away with the necessity of incoming passengers from the southbound trains being obliged to step off the cars into the mud of the street crossing near the depot. The train stops, almost invariably, at a point where passengers alighting from the car or in getting aboard are compelled to wade in mud for about two rods. This could be obviated by putting down a plank crossing between the main line and the east side track, or the train could be pulled a car length further south before the stop is made. This mud is not only deucedly unpleasant to walk in but it tends not to the good of our town in the minds of strangers who visit us.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, October 4, 1901, page 7


    Monday was a busy day with the Southern Pacific band of workers at the depot in Medford. The amount of merchandise and groceries received was 110,000 pounds. all this had to be taken from the cars, each individual box or bundle weighed, checked on way bills and delivered to the draymen. Aside from this incoming freight there were shipped out two carloads of pears, one of dried prunes and one of feed.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, October 25, 1901, page 7


    J. A. Perry, proprietor of the Independent Warehouse, and G. T. Faucett, agent for the Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express, chipped in last week and had Street Commissioner Brandenburg put down a crosswalk from their places of business across Seventh Street. We will now have one crosswalk which passengers and townspeople can cross upon from the depot to the express office and the Jacksonville trains without getting ankle deep in mud. It's a commendable piece of enterprise, and the Mail scribe feels like throwing a bouquet every time he happens that way. Someone wanted to know if these gentlemen intended keeping the mud cleaned from the aforesaid mentioned walk. Their intentions are strictly in line with that sort of procedure, but suppose they don't, the people of Medford are nothing out. Didn't think about that, did you? Those depot crossings are an insult to common decency, but there seems no way of bettering them, inasmuch as the railroad company will not plank, and we understand will not permit the city council to do so. A few feet of planking between the tracks, and this kept clean of mud, would be an improvement very much appreciated by passengers and townspeople.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, December 13, 1901, page 7


    The Southern Pacific railroad company this week has been making some improvements in its yard facilities in Medford. What is known as the oil spur has been a source of considerable annoyance to trainmen on account of the heavy curve on which it leaves the main sidetrack, making it hard to get in and out. This spur has been lengthened, so as to connect with the sidetrack farther along and consequently straightened. This will not only save wear and tear on trainmen's tempers, but prove a source of satisfaction to fruit men next season, as quite a bit of the unloading of fruit cars is done on this spur during the season.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, January 17, 1902, page 7


    A gang of railroad carpenters is at work putting new timbers under the company's water tank at this place.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, March 14, 1902, page 7


   A special train went over the road last Friday bearing R. Koehler, manager, L.A. Fields, superintendent, T. W. Younger, master mechanic, and G. W. Donnell, road master, of the Oregon system, who were on a tour of inspection of their roads. During their stop in Medford Supt. Fields after an examination of the great amount of work to be handled in the Medford office authorized agent W. V. Lippincott to employ additional help for his office. In compliance with this order Mr. Lippincott promoted J. J. Parker from warehouseman to that of freight clerk in his office, and has given the position of warehouseman to Otis A. Hubbard, who has heretofore been extra man in the freight department. Both Mr. Parker and Mr. Hubbard are industrious young men and well liked by the patrons of the Southern Pacific, and their promotion is an honor that their efforts well merit. Medford has the credit of being the heaviest shipping point on the Southern Pacific in Southern Oregon, and agent Lippincott and his efficient force have had, at times, to do some lively hustling to handle the business, but they have always been equal to the occasion and the public has never been put to an inconvenience. But so fast has the company's business in the Medford office increased during the past year, with a greater increase sure to come before this year is at an end, that more office help was an imperative necessity, and Mr. Fields showed his just appreciation of Medford as one of his company's best shipping points by increasing the local office force to keep pace with the growth of this business, that the patrons of the road may have as efficient service in the Medford office as they have had in the past.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, July 18, 1902, page 7


    J. J. Parker, who has been in the employ of the railroad company for a number of years, was lately appointed freight clerk at the Medford depot. It was a well-deserved promotion, for Joe has always been energetic and accommodating. Otis Hubbard succeeds him as warehouseman, a position he is well qualified to fill.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 23, 1902, page 6


    Arrangements have been perfected whereby Medford becomes a distributing depot for refrigerator fruit cars, to all points on this division, including Ashland and Grants Pass. Some fifty or more of these cars have already been ordered sent here for distribution--the greater number of them, however, will be loaded at this point. This first order is only for the Bartlett pear and peach shipments. A much greater number of cars will, of course, be needed later for the apple crop. This arrangement will be quite a convenience to the fruit growers of the valley as the cars can be had upon short notice at other valley points, and our growers here will always have a reserve to draw from. These cars will all be iced here as fast as orders are placed for them. From one to two tons of ice is required to ice one car.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 1, 1902, page 7


    A Subscriber:--"Tell me, will you please, why the Southern Pacific Company took that sign 'Medford' from the front side of the depot and placed it at the end. True it is that there is one of these signs at each end of the depot and passengers may know the name of our city if they look, but few of them look that way. I want you to notice the number of passengers who look up where the sign used to be when the trains pulled out. Every dashed stranger on the depot side of the train will do it. You watch 'em sometime."
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, August 8, 1902, page 7


    Robt. Ormsby, the clever telegraph operator, is again in charge of the night business at the Medford depot, having returned from his trip to Portland recently.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 21, 1902, page 5




    There has been a change in the force employed at the Medford railroad depot. R. E. Ormsby, the night operator, has been succeeded by Mr. Cooley, who was at Siskiyou station for some time.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 10, 1902, page 4


    C. W. Cady arrived from the Willamette Sunday night and took the position of night operator at the depot. Mr. Ormsby, who formerly held that position here, left for Portland, where he takes a similar place with the railroad. Mr. Cady was accompanied by his wife and will go to housekeeping as soon as suitable quarters can be found.
"Purely Personal," Medford Mail, December 12, 1902, page 6


    Mr. Whelburn, late of Drain, is new night operator at the Medford depot.
"Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 14, 1903, page 4


    The S.P. Co.'s depot had a narrow escape from destruction Friday morning. Only the timely arrival of Ranse Rouse and J. W. Marshall, porter of Hotel Nash, prevented a conflagration which might have resulted seriously to Medford.
    It seems that the night operator had gone to the post office with the mail which arrived by railroad during the night, and left one sack behind. Mr. Lippincott, the agent, followed him to complete the delivery of the mail, leaving a coal oil lamp burning. During their absence an explosion must have occurred, setting fire to the desk on which the lamp stood and the papers it contained.
    The blaze was first discovered by Mr. Rouse, who gave the alarm. Mr. Marshall, who immediately responded, by the application of some water that was near at hand and the use of an old garment, soon had the flames under control. The alarm of fire which was turned in brought both hose companies to the scene promptly, but their services were not required.
    The damage done was small, although some important papers were destroyed.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 11, 1903, page 2


    Mail Office Devil:--"'Say, I'm goin' to be good, from this on. I was a-chasin' around over at the S.P. depot the other night, when the train came in late, and I tell you it was fierce. I turned the corner of the depot just as No. 16 pulled in, and honest, it was as dark as a stack of black cats. Yes, the lights wuz a-burnin', but, shucks, two little lamps ain't goin' to light that platform, especially when there's a whole lot o' people buttin' around on it. I got in a mixup. There wuz me an' some other fellers in a bunch, and one feller he wuz comin' down one side with the wagon, and another feller, he wuz a-rattlin' along on the other side with a truckload of drummer's trunks 'steen feet high. Besides that der wuz brakies a-flashin' der lanterns around an' fellers a-gittin' off de train, an' all in darkness. If it had been daylight it wouldn't been so bad, but a feller couldn't see which way to go. I got out [of] the wreck finally, but the first ting I did was to butt into a 250-pound drummer, who was carryin' a big grip. That grip struck me 'bout midships, and, say I wuz paralyzed for a minute. I thought that merchant what made de spiel here a week or so ago 'bout the Southern Pacific not a-lightin' its depot was a-talkin' through his millinery, but now I know he wuz dead right. This yer man's town ships more freight dan a whole lots of places what looks bigger on de map an' de census reports, and Mister Harriman could light that depot wid 'lectricity for what he pays for oil to fill lamps, that, when dey is burnin' good, a feller has to strike a match to help 'em out, so's he can see what time it is."
"Street Echoes," Medford Mail, December 4, 1903, page 1


    The Southern Pacific depot will soon be lighted by electric lights. Fifteen lights will be placed in the office, warehouse, waiting rooms and upon the platform. Four lights will be upon the platform and one on the semaphore. The Mail is not certain that it had anything to do with this, but this paper has been hammering away at intervals on the proposition, ever since our "devil" crippled himself by colliding with a truckload of trunks over a year ago. Anyway we don't care what caused the lights to be put there, just so they are there.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, February 10, 1905, page 5


    A traveling man--"Do you know, that I know, that Medford people are making a mistake in permitting the sale of an inferior quality of apples to passengers at the depot. I went through your town a few days ago, and the apples the boys were selling were not good ones. I saw a passenger buy some of these apples, take a bite out of one and throw the remainder of the apple at the boy who sold it to him. That wasn't a good advertisement for your great fruit country. While I admire the boys' hustling propensities, still I believe they ought to sell the very best there is to be had. Some of these apples were Ben Davis, which are not by any means Rogue River Valley's pride, and hardly palatable this early in the season. Then I saw some of the apples had scale on them--that is not good for the country, either. I believe your townspeople ought to keep an eye on this matter, and while nothing should be done to discourage the boys in the method they have adopted to earn a little money, it should be insisted upon that they sell only good, clean fruit."
"Things Told on the Street," Medford Mail, November 29, 1907, page 1


    Some few months ago the ladies of the Greater Medford Club asked permission from the Southern Pacific Railroad Company to park that portion of the railroad grounds on the east side of the track and extending from the exhibit building north to the section house. Yesterday this permission was granted the ladies, and as soon as possible they will commence the work. Plans are not as yet made as to a completion of the work, or even a definite outline drawn, but this will at once be taken up and a landscape artist put to work preparing the plans.
Medford Mail, May 21, 1909, page 5


    The Southern Pacific Company has contracted for 17,000 cubic yards of earth with which to make the fill about the new depot. The earth is to come from the excavation for Howard Bros.' building and the Hotel Medford.
"Social and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 11, 1910, page 5

    When the new passenger depot in this city, now being finished by the Southern Pacific company, is completed, General Manager P. J. O'Brien of the company's lines in Oregon will visit this city and will formally present the depot to the city. Mayor Canon will be the recipient on behalf of the city.
    The depot is the largest and finest in the state, outside of Portland, the company by its erection showing its faith in this city.
    Additional men are to be placed at work in the local depot on Monday, and this will give Medford the largest staff of any depot in Oregon, outside of Portland. Medford's freight and passenger business amply justifies the erection of a new depot of the proportions of the one nearly completed.
Medford Mail Tribune weekly, August 4, 1910, page 2


    Medford is to have its new depot dedicated October 13, when all of the state officials will be present. Assistant Manager Boschke of the O.R.&N., accompanied by landscape architect Chase, spent Thursday in Medford inspecting the depot grounds. By invitation of station agent Rosenbaum, a committee of the Greater Medford Club met the gentlemen and offered the assistance of the club in helping to beautify the grounds. The ladies were shown over the depot, which is one of the finest and largest in the state. It is finished in beautifully polished fir, and the color scheme is most harmonious, soft shades of brown being used. The depot is well arranged and commodious, and will be a great credit to Medford.
    A general plan has been made for the grounds, but a more comprehensive one will be finished by the time of the opening of the depot.
    The ground between the new depot and the Exhibit Building is to be parked, allowing for a driveway for teams and autos. Rose hedges and shrubs will border the parking. Between the depot and the Wells Fargo building there will be a gross [sic] of beds of flowers. Later on it is expected that the strip of sand running between the present site of the depot and the site it will occupy will be parked and ornamental trees and shrubs put in, making a park three blocks in length. The plans are very good, and when finished will make Medford the most attractive depot in the West.
    Mr. Boschke is very much interested in Medford and says that this is the first depot he has had enough interest in to inspect before it was finished.
    Mr. Chase, the landscape architect, is very much pleased with the location of the grounds and thinks it can be made most attractive. The committee were invited to meet with the officials when they come here for the opening of the depot October 15, and arrangements can then be made as to how much the ladies will do to help in the beautifying of the grounds, as Mr. Boschke said he had no authority to make any proposition to the club.
    The Greater Medford Club is very much interested in the beautifying of the grounds and will do all they can to assist in putting it through. As it will be a great addition to Medford and attract a great deal of attention from the traveling public, the cooperation of the entire club is needed on this and the many other improvements the club wants to make this year, and it is to be hoped all the members will assist. The club is simply a civic improvement club, interested in the progress of Medford and in doing all possible to help in that way.
    The membership of the club is not as large as it should be, and so many new people have been coming in that it has been impossible to keep in touch with them all. To interest the newcomers in the club and its work, a reception will be held in the clubrooms at the Natatorium Monday afternoon, October 17, when the ladies are all invited to attend. Each club member is expected to come and bring five guests. There will be a fine musical program and refreshments, and the older residents of Medford will have a chance to become acquainted with the new arrivals.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 10, 1910, page 3

    "Twenty-two years ago today I came to Medford," says R. H. Whitehead, pioneer banker and capitalist, "and there isn't much left to remind one of the Medford of those days--only the weather hasn't changed; we still have the finest autumns in the world.
    "I came from eastern Oregon, a windy country, and when I saw how little wind there was here, I concluded to stay. There used to be a windmill and water tank on the Southern Pacific track near the depot, but there would be ten days at a stretch when there wouldn't be wind enough to turn it over, and the main occupation of the agent consisted in pumping by hand.
    "The weather that winter was as cold as any I have seen since. It got as low as 8 degrees above zero--but there isn't any noticeable change in the weather, one year for another--about as uniform as possible to find."

    The Southern Pacific water tank, with its cold shade, has caused tired wanderers to linger there, and the police Tuesday afternoon dispersed the gang.
"Local and Personal," Medford Sun, June 14, 1916, page 2


    The police Thursday morning called upon a number of gentlemen who were enjoying the cool of the Espee water tank and informed them that there was quite a demand for hay hands. As none showed any inclination to grab hold of a pitchfork, they were ordered to march, without waiting for the cool of the day or a train.
"Local and Personal," Medford Sun, June 16, 1916, page 2







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