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The Infamous Black Bird Southern Oregon History, Revised


Medford Pioneers: Albert S. Rosenbaum


    A. S. Rosenbaum, the S.P. Co.'s clever agent at Gold Hill, and Miss Alice Matthews visited their many friends in Medford Friday.
 "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, March 6, 1899, page 3


    A. S. Rosenbaum, who has been station agent at Gold Hill for some time past, will resume his former position at Shasta Retreat, Calif., this week. His departure will be regretted by the many friends he has made in southern Oregon.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 22, 1899, page 3


    The Times takes pleasure in announcing the marriage of A. S. Rosenbaum, a clever young man, who has filled the position of railroad agent at Gold Hill so acceptably, and Miss Alice G. Matthews, the popular and handsome daughter of Mrs. N. Hosmer of Foots Creek. They have a host of friends, the best wishes of whom they carry with them to their new home at Shasta Retreat, Calif., where Mr. R. will be in the S.P. Co.'s employ.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 1, 1899, page 3

    A. S. Rosenbaum and wife arrived in the city Wednesday night from Shasta Retreat. Mrs. Rosenbaum will visit her parents and friends hereabout while her husband reports for duty at Portland and makes arrangements for their new location.
"Personal and Local," Gold Hill News, September 9, 1899, page 5


    QUITE A DIFFERENCE.--Last Saturday night the Black Serenaders gave a performance in this city, and Wednesday night the "White Serenaders," armed with tin pans, horns and just any old thing to make a noise were out to serenade A. S. Rosenbaum and wife who were married in this city several months ago and slipped away, fooling the boys so nicely. The boys kept hammering away for some time and finally gave it up as a bad job, not being able to raise their man.
Gold Hill News, September 9, 1899, page 5


     Mrs. A. S. Rosenbaum of Wolf Creek has been visiting with Miss Mamie Isaacs of Medford during the past week.
 "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 5, 1900, page 3


    The home of A. S. Rosenbaum, railroad agent at Wolf Creek, was destroyed one night last week. The fire is supposed to have resulted from the explosion of a lamp. Mr. R. was the only one in the house at the time. The loss is estimated at $750.
"Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 10, 1901, page 7


    Mrs. A. S. Rosenbaum arrived in Medford last week from Merlin, and with her came the family's household effects--and in consequence thereof station agent Rosenbaum is enjoying his evenings beside his own hearthstone. It might not be out of place to state right here that Mr. Rosenbaum is making a cracking lot of good friends among our business men. He is the kind of a person a fellow naturally feels like he wanted to tie to with a friendship that's lasting.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, March 29, 1907, page 5
    A. S. Rosenbaum, the accommodating local agent of the Southern Pacific, is again able to be at his post of duty, after having been confined to his home for several days, on account of an acute attack of asthma and complicated with the fact that he had been badly overworked in caring for the steadily increasing volume of business of his office.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, April 26, 1907, page 5

From The Sketch, Sept. 14, 1907
SMILE AND PUSH.
That Is the Motto of S.P. Agent Rosenbaum, Who Can't Be Downed.
    If there is any place in connection with the conduct of a Southern Pacific Railroad station which Agent Rosenbaum is not familiar with, it has never been definitely located. Monday afternoon one of his freight handling crew became unwarrantably saucy to a patron of the road, and when Mr. Rosenbaum learned the conditions he immediately began an investigation, and as a result the offending freight hustler was at once asked to go to the captain's office and get his pay. This procedure did not meet with the approval of the other hustlers of the freight, and they promptly put in their resignation, effective at once--and that was all right, too, insofar as Mr. Rosenbaum was concerned. When time for "open doors" yesterday morning came along, here was "Rosey" with a picked-up crew--and freight came and went all day yesterday--just like the old crew was on duty, only the road's customers did not get cussed. Mr. Rosenbaum, as a captain of almost any old thing, is a prince, but as a freight hustler captain it's a case of "Rosey" outdoing "Rosey."
Medford Mail, July 2, 1909, page 1

 The Man Who Is the Southern Pacific  
    Everybody here knows "Rosey." And what is more, everybody likes him. The only thing anyone has against Rosey is the Southern Pacific Railroad.
    When a man can be the Southern Pacific Railroad in a city like Medford and still have the good will and, one may say, the affection of his fellow citizens, there is some capacity for popularity in that aforesaid gentleman's makeup.
    Rosey has a smile. He also has a pair of piercing brown eyes. But above all, he has a devotion to his employers which surpasseth all understanding. No matter how a man may cuss the S.P. and call it all the names in the muckraking vocabulary, let him talk a few moments with Rosey and those vows of vengeance vanish, those sulphurous ejaculations wilt and fade, and before he is through he is smiling just like Rosey and is not only saying that the S.P. is a public-spirited and persecuted philanthropic society, but is believing it.
    Every now and then someone comes up to Rosey and takes him aside and asks him why he doesn't change his job and expend his devotion upon some decent corporation like the biscuit trust or the soap combine.
    But Rosey never smiles back. He looks perfectly solemn and grieved and proceeds to show reasonably and convincingly that if it had not been for the Southern Pacific Railroad Medford would never have opened its eyes and peeped.
    And strenuous! Say, did you ever notice Rosey walk? He has a thirty-jeweled Elgin movement that goes twelve hours a day and never has to be rewound. He's freight agent, passenger agent, reception committee, kick [complaint] receiver and station master. And his devotion for the S.P., let it be said, is only equalled by his devotion to Medford.
    Yes, ma'am, that is a fact that can't be dodged. In spite of the suspicions of the corporation busters, there are mighty few things for the benefit of Medford that A.S.R is not pushing along, and in a pretty practical way at that.
    But Rosey' s specialty is attending meetings. The only thing that will keep him from a meeting of the Commercial Club is pneumonia or Crater Lake. In the four years he has been in Medford Rosey has missed just three meetings of the club, and twice he was too sick to get out of bed, and once he was kidnapped and taken to Crater Lake. Rosey is also attentive to the Masons, the Elks, the Shriners and seldom misses lunch at the University Club.
    And he is nearly forty. You wouldn't think it, but he first sang the praises of the S.P. in San Francisco in 1872, and then when the financial panic came along he moved to Modesto, Cal., and then to Ashland, Or., in 1899. Think that over a minute. From Modesto to Ashland! But Rosey was immune to the sleeping sickness and one bright morning received the announcement that he was appointed agent at Gold Hill.
    Determined to try every place in the valley until he struck the right one, our hero left Gold Hill for Grants Pass, then was agent at Merlin and Wolf Creek, and finally, four years and one-half ago to the minute, came to the berth he had been looking for--Medford.
    When he arrived here there were five men to handle the railroad and the Western Union. Today there are nineteen men to handle the railroad business and five on the wire.
    Perhaps Rosey will get his due reward someday. Perhaps, and then again, perhaps.
"Medford's Hall of Fame," Medford Sun, August 6, 1911, page 5
TO CALL NEW ROGUE VALLEY STATION "ROSEY"
    In appreciation of the nineteen years of duty rendered them by A. S. Rosenbaum, general manager of the Medford division, it is reported that the Southern Pacific company is planning to name the new station near Rock Point "Rosey." The name does not appear elsewhere in the United States and hence is acceptable.
    The railroad first planned to name the station "Birdseye" in honor of the pioneer family of that name, but this name is common over the United States, hence is not acceptable.
    This morning Mr. Rosenbaum appealed to Judge Colvig of the Commercial Club for a name and the judge wired Superintendent Fields to make the name "Rosey."
    Vance Colvig, whose nom de plume is well known as "Pinto," made an appeal for that name, but there are 23 Pintos in the corral already.
Medford Mail Tribune weekly edition, May 2, 1912, page 3


    Mr. A. S. Rosenbaum, besides being the court of last resort for all those who have claims against the Southern Pacific Company, is the original "jiner" in Medford. He belongs to more clubs, colonies, lodges, etc., committees and organizations than any other man in Medford, and can fill four engagements in one evening in a most graceful and Lord Chesterfield manner, and take in a round of the prize fight and the third act of the theater on the way home. His patriotism is unquestioned, as he is one of the few men in Medford who have never missed a meeting of the Commercial Club.
Minnie (Mrs. Harry C.) Stoddard, "Medford's Hall of Fame," Medford Mail Tribune, December 18, 1912, page 4
Death Calls Mrs. Rosenbaum.
    A pall was cast over the joyousness of Christmas in many homes of the city Wednesday by the announcement of the death of Alice Gladys Rosenbaum, which occurred at 11 a.m. Christmas Day. Death was caused by an illness of more than 12 years' duration, during the course of which she won the love and respect of all who came in contact with her by the manner in which she bore up under her suffering, never losing her cheerful and helpful disposition.
    Mrs. Rosenbaum was born at Weaverville, Cal., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. Mathews. She was aged 40 years, two months and 25 days. She removed to Southern Oregon many years ago, where she married A. S. Rosenbaum. They resided at Wolf Creek, Grants Pass and Medford for many years.
    In accord with her wish, funeral services at the home were dispensed with. Accompanied by Mr. Rosenbaum and her brother, Grant Mathews of Foots Creek, the remains were placed on the Shasta Limited Wednesday night and taken to Portland for cremation.
    Aside from her husband, Mrs. Rosenbaum leaves a mother, a sister and a brother to mourn her death.
    Mrs. Rosenbaum was a member of the Jacksonville lodge, order of the Eastern Star.--Tribune.
Jacksonville Post, December 28, 1912, page 1
ROSEY OFF TONIGHT FOR TOUR OF EAST
    A. S. Rosenbaum, general manager of the Medford division of the Southern Pacific, will leave tonight for an extended tour of the eastern states. Hundreds of friends are wishing "Rosey" a delightful trip and an early return to Medford.
    Rosey has appointed himself a committee of one to boost Medford and the Rogue River Valley throughout the length and breadth of the nation. He has a trunk full of literature and intends to coerce every Pullman porter he encounters into putting this literature all over the cars.
    Rosey will visit Chicago, New York, Washington, Key West, New Orleans and many other cities.
Medford Mail Tribune, April 22, 1913, page 4
MEDFORD DEPOT IS MODEL STATION
    For the third consecutive year, the Medford depot has won the gold medal awarded for the most perfect station on the Southern Pacific railroad system. The depot is not only the handsomest in Oregon but the best kept--perfect in its arrangements.
    Not only can the Southern Pacific be proud of its depot, but also of its local agent--for in A. S. Rosenbaum Medford has the best agent of any city in the country. While devoted to the company, Mr. Rosenbaum lets no opportunity pass to please the people, and Medford ranks next to the Espee in his estimation.
    If death should suddenly call Mr. Rosenbaum, he is said to desire that he be run over by a Southern Pacific engine. His will is said to specify that his remains be cremated and the ashes thrown on the Southern Pacific right-of-way.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 8, 1913, page 2


    A. S. Rosenbaum, manager of the Harriman lines in the Rogue River Valley, leaves Tuesday for San Francisco to consult an eye specialist.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, January 12, 1914, page 4
ROSY COMPLETES TWENTY YEARS OF ESPEE SERVICE
    When the sun went down Monday, twenty years of faithful and efficient service was closed by A. S. Rosenbaum, local agent for the Southern Pacific. June 23, 1894, "Rosy" became an attache of the line, and is now general manager of the Harriman interests in the Rogue River Valley. He started as a telegrapher, worked on California and Oregon divisions, and step by step has climbed up the railroad ladder, until some of these days the great corporation will reward him with a little fatter berth with more salary and less work. When he is sixty years old they will give him a pension.
    "Rosy" is one of the most popular and hard-working officials of the Harriman lines in Oregon, and has won several medals for keeping the tidiest depot in the state. In a land where there is much antipathy towards corporations, Mr. Rosenbaum has done much to lessen it by his accommodating affability.
    Congratulations were received from far and near by "Rosy."
Medford Mail Tribune, June 23, 1914, page 3


    A. S. Rosenbaum has purchased the Packard car owned by Edgar Hafer, trading therefor a lot adjoining the Christian Science church.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 3, 1914, page 4
SAFETY FIRST JOY RIDE GIVEN BY ROSENBAUM
    A. S. Rosenbaum, genial general manager of the Harriman lines in the Rogue River Valley, is giving practical demonstrations of the Safety First idea that do not fail to convince the most skeptical of its value. He is using his newly purchased automobile to show that Safety First can be applied to the auto joy ride and thereby all danger be eliminated.
    Tuesday evening Mr. Rosenbaum gave the people of Central Point a most convincing demonstration. The lesson lasted an hour, and witnesses were firmly convinced that as long as Mr. Rosenbaum's system is applied, accidents are impossible.
    To avoid going around a corner too fast, Mr. Rosenbaum slapped on his emergency brake. It worked, and the car came to a stop, thus avoiding all danger of skidding or of bumping into the curb. Friends who passed took occasion to congratulate the railroad magnate upon his automobile acquisition, and it was several minutes before an attempt was made to start the car.
    Rosey got out and cranked the car. It started after several strenuous twists of the crank. He got in and started off. The car ran about a yard and stopped. Again the cranking process was resorted to, and another yard was gained before the engine died. Again and again the performance was repeated. Each time a few inches in distance was gained. Meanwhile a large crowd collected. Rosey got redder and redder with each crank. Every fresh start was greeted with cheers by the friends of the magnate. Rosey proved conclusively that there was no danger to the public in one of his Safety First joy rides.
    After an hour's strenuous labor, someone called Rosey's attention to the fact that his emergency brake was on--and the demonstration ended.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 6, 1914, page 4
ROSEY PROMOTED TO BE CLAIM
AGENT SOUTHERN PACIFIC
    The appointment of A. S. Rosenbaum, for 8 years local agent of the Southern Pacific, to be claim agent of the Southern Pacific railroad, with headquarters at Portland, to succeed Fred Day, is announced. The new position carries a salary of $3000 a year and expenses, and is a deserved reward for Mr. Rosenbaum's 21 years of faithful service for the company.
    "Rosey," as he is familiarly known, has the reputation of being the best local agent on the Southern Pacific system, and that means perhaps the best in the country. For many years the Medford station has won the medal as the prize station on the line. Rosey's unfailing courtesy, painstaking attention to the public, promptness in adjusting differences, has made both the company and himself popular with Medford shippers and the general public. His many friends, while rejoicing at his promotion, regret his loss, for he was regarded as a permanent Medford fixture--a part of the life of the town.
    In speaking of his promotion Mr. Rosenbaum said:
    "I do not believe anyone gave up a position with more regret than I feel in giving up the Medford agency, but the new position is a promotion in several ways and in justice to myself [I] could not well refuse it. I will be in the valley often, in fact so often I am not going to say goodbye to anyone. The best and pleasantest portion of my life has been spent in the valley, and I feel almost a part of it, and will spend every day I can here."
Medford Mail Tribune, September 3, 1916, page 6


    A number of important changes in the claim department and the legal department of the Southern Pacific yesterday affected some well-known officials of that company.
    Fred Day, claim agent, resigned to enter into the casualty insurance business and was succeeded by A. S. Rosenbaum, agent for the company at Medford. Mr. Rosenbaum has been in the Southern Pacific service for nearly 25 years, having filled the Medford agency for nine years.
"Railroad Officials Quit," Morning Oregonian, Portland, September 6, 1916, page 7
"ROSEY" INJURED WHEN SPEEDER STRIKES A ROCK
    A. S. Rosenbaum, general claim agent of the Southern Pacific Company, of Portland, former agent at Medford, sustained a compound fracture of a leg when a speeder on which he was riding was wrecked Monday afternoon, while he was on his way to Canary on the Marshfield-Eugene branch for the purpose of viewing the site of a speeder accident which cost the life of William J. Franheim, a telegraph lineman, whose heirs have sued the company for $50,000. Coy Burnett, general trial attorney for the company, also of Portland, was severely bruised. Two men operating the speeder escaped unhurt. The car was derailed when it struck a rock that had rolled down from the hill above. They were picked up a few minutes later by a passenger train coming from the opposite direction.
    Mr. Rosenbaum was hurled many feet in the air and picked up unconscious. His body was a mass of bruises, the left side of his face being badly swollen and discolored; his left arm was badly wrenched and both bones of his left leg broken below the knee. He passed through Medford Tuesday morning en route to the Southern Pacific hospital at San Francisco, where he will be laid up for the next two months or more.
    Many friends greeted Mr. Rosenbaum aboard the train, where propped up in his berth he held an informal reception.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 29, 1917, page 8
Rosenbaum's Leg Was Broken
(Medford Sun)
    Agent A. J. VanWaning received word by wire last evening that A. S. Rosenbaum, former Southern Pacific agent here for years, suffered a broken leg yesterday while riding on a gasoline speeder between Eugene and Cottage Grove. He will pass through Medford on train No. 13 today, en route to a hospital at San Francisco for treatment.
    "Rosie's" many Medford friends will regret to hear that he has again been the victim of misfortune. Fate appears to have dealt in rather an unkindly way with Mr. Rosenbaum in this respect for some time. It is hoped, however, that he may soon recover and again to his post of duty.
Jacksonville Post, June 2, 1917, page 1


    A. S. Rosenbaum, former Southern Pacific agent of this city, who was severely injured in a railroad accident near Eugene about five months ago, and who has been confined since then in the Southern Pacific hospital at San Francisco, arrived in the city this morning and was busy throughout the day bobbling around on his crutches to shake hands with his many friends. "Rosey" was only able to leave the hospital yesterday morning and after a couple of days' visit here will go on to Portland to greet friends there.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, October 17, 1917, page 2


    A. S. Rosenbaum, former S.P. passenger agent in this city, now a traveling representative of the Southern Pacific, was in Medford yesterday greeting his many friends. "Rosey" is still slightly lame from his accident over a year ago but hopes soon to be completely cured.
"Local and Personal," Medford Sun, October 27, 1918, page 2


A. ROSENBAUM PROMOTED, WILL LIVE IN MEDFORD
    Among important promotions and creation of new official positions in the traffic department of the Southern Pacific Company that have been authorized by William Sproule, president, just announced, is that of A. S. Rosenbaum, the former popular agent of the railroad at Medford and for several years past claim agent for the S.P., who becomes district freight and passenger agent with headquarters in Medford. The change is a distinct promotion for Mr. Rosenbaum.
    Mr. Rosenbaum began with the Southern Pacific in the station service at Modesto, Calif., in 1894, coming to Oregon in the same service in 1898. He was local agent at Medford for 10 years, being promoted from there to his present position in 1916.
    The announcement of the new appointments has just been made by G. W. Luce, freight traffic manager, and Charles S. Fee, passenger traffic manager. The changes are effective August 1st. The raises in official rank and addition of new officers are in line with tho company's desire to maintain the highest standard of transportation service. They are made in recognition of the growing importance of Oregon and the northwest territory.
    J. M. Scott, general passenger agent at Portland, and J. H. Mulcahy, general freight agent, are promoted to the position of assistant general traffic manager and assistant freight traffic manager respectively. Their headquarters remain at Portland.
    Mr. Scott is succeeded as general passenger agent at Portland by his assistant, J. A. Ormandy. C. W. Stinger, city ticket agent, takes Ormandy's place as assistant general passenger agent. Mr. Stinger is succeeded by J. A. Hopgood, advertising agent, and Hopgood's place will be filled by H. F. Craig of the general passenger department staff. Mr. Mulcahy is succeeded as general freight agent at Portland by W. F. Miller, his assistant. C. M. Andrews, district freight agent and passenger agent at Seattle, is transferred to Portland as assistant general freight agent. Traveling Freight Agent L. A. Brockwell is promoted to district freight agent in Portland.
    The Seattle office is raised to the position of a general agency. B. C. Taylor, now traveling agent, being placed in charge as general agent.
    I. T. Sparks, district freight and passenger agent at Eugene, is transfered to a similar position at Merced, Calif. He is succeeded by L. L. Graham, now station agent at Corvallis.
    Three new district freight and passenger agents are appointed in Oregon as follows: At Salem, A. A. Nickel, now local agent in that city. At Medford A. S. Rosenbaum, claim agent at Portland. At Klamath Falls, J. J. Miller, who has been located at that city.
    Mr. Scott, or "John Scott," as he is more familiarly known, came to Portland in 1905 as assistant general passenger agent of the Southern Pacific lines. Hie was employed for several years as confidential adviser to J. C. Stubbs, who was at that time director of traffic for the Union Pacific-Southern Pacific-Harriman lines. Mr. Scott became general passenger agent of the Southern Pacific at Portland in 1911. His early training in the railroad business was on the Union Pacific in Omaha and the Missouri Pacific at St. Louis.
    Mr. Mulcahy is a Portland boy, having entered the railroad service in 1889 as a clerk in the general freight office at Portland. He has advanced steadily from various positions until in 1911 he was appointed assistant general freight agent at Portland. He was transferred to San Francisco a few years later in the same capacity and returned to Portland in 1921 as general agent.
    Mr. Ormandy likewise is a production of the Portland school of railroading, originally having entered the railroad service as a telegrapher and serving in various capacities in the operating and traffic departments until he was appointed assistant general passenger agent at Portland, at the close of federal control in 1920.
    Mr. Miller's railroad experience began in the station service back in Nebraska. He came to the coast in 1907 and became superintendent of the Coos Bay and Eastern with headquarters at Marshfield and he was appointed to a position as assistant general freight agent in Portland in 1916.
    Mr. Stinger has been city ticket agent for the Southern Pacific in Portland since 1902. He began his railroad experience with the same company as a messenger boy in Portland in 1883.
    Mr. Andrews was district freight agent for the Southern Pacific at Portland from 1918 until 1920 and formerly officiated as agent at Corvallis. He served in Tacoma and Seattle as traveling freight and passenger agent and later as district freight and passenger agent.
    Mr. Brockwell's  railroad experience began in the general freight office in Portland as a junior clerk and he has been advanced through various positions, rate and tariff clerk, assistant chief clerk until 1920, when he was transferred to Seattle as traveling freight and passenger agent.
    Mr. Hopgood entered service as a baggageman at the Union station in 1907, having emigrated to Oregon from “Old Kentucky." He has been advanced through various positions including cashier at the Union station, passenger rate clerk and was appointed to his present position in 1920.
    Mr. Nickel has been in the station service of the Southern Pacific since June, 1901, beginning his service as a mail carrier at Gervais, Oregon in 1901. Later he was agent at Gervais, being promoted from there to Albany and from Albany going to his present position as local agent at Salem. Mr. Graham began railroading at Newberg, Ore., in the station service in 1908. He was later transferred to Independence, going from there to Corvallis.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 28, 1923, page 3
ROSEY FORCED TO PURSUE HOOCH CAR AT POINT OF GUN
    One of the big surprises of their lives was met with Monday forenoon when John M. Scott of Portland, assistant passenger traffic manager of the Southern Pacific; A. S. Rosenbaum, district passenger and freight agent of the same railroad, and Judge Wm. Colvig of Medford were driving in Rosenbaum's car between Anna Spring camp and the south entrance of Crater national park, en route to Klamath Falls.
    They were discussing the probable effect of a bumblebee sting on a piece of steel plate, paying no attention to a car ahead of them in the distance. Suddenly a burly man with an ugly-looking revolver strapped about his body sprang out from the roadside and, halting them after exhibiting his badge, said: "I am a government officer after four bootleggers in that next car who are desperate Indians from the Klamath Reservation and will shoot as soon as I tackle them."
    "Drive and pass that car," tersely continued the officer who had commandeered Rosenbaum's car. Then he got into the car and repeated the command.
    "Did y-y-you say those men would sh-sh-oot?" inquired Rosie tremulously.
    "Yes, drive on and hurry."
    The Medford railroad man did as commanded and as his car passed that of the bootleggers the officer sprang out and brought the latter car to a halt with his gun, while Rosenbaum sped on for the south entrance as he, Scott and Colvig expected to dodge bullets every second.
    They finally looked around, and the last they saw of the officer and the bootleggers was one of the Indians handing over to the officer a bottle. That is all they know about the case.
    However, when the cars passed Judge Colvig gave the other car a good look and saw that one of the men in it was an Indian he had prosecuted forty years ago for being mixed up in a shooting affray when the Judge was prosecuting attorney of this district, which then comprised Klamath, Lakeview, Jackson and Josephine County.
    He regards the coincidence of Monday as rather remarkable.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 19, 1924, page 8
A. S. ROSENBAUM NAMED GENERAL AGENT OF S.P. CO.
    A. S. Rosenbaum, district freight and passenger agent for the Southern Pacific Company, Medford, has just been appointed general agent for the same company to cover all southern Oregon.
    This is the announcement made today by W. F. Miller, general freight agent, and J. A. Ormandy, general passenger agent.
    The appointment is in recognition of Mr. Rosenbaum's long and faithful service with the Southern Pacific, mostly in southern Oregon, and indicates the growing importance of this section.
    Rosenbaum's jurisdiction will extend over the Rogue River Valley, the Umpqua Valley and the Klamath Falls section of the new line.
    Mr. Rosenbaum will continue to make his headquarters in Medford. The change comes as a deserved promotion, involving a substantial increase in salary.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 4, 1927, page 6


    "Rosy" Rosenbaum of the Southern Pacific spent Sunday at Medford. He divides his time between Medford and Klamath Falls. He is so much divided that he does not really know which city is his home, and he has a hard time when it comes to registering at a hotel when out of his district. The travel to Crater Lake by rail is increasing rapidly, and with the main line through this city many tickets are being sold through Klamath Falls and to the lake. He makes many trips to the beauty spot and has Dick Price at the tavern trained so that "Rosy's" voice over the telephone means to Price that his chef must at once put on the ham and eggs for breakfast.--Klamath Falls Herald.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, July 28, 1927, page 2


'ROSIE' RECEIVES SURPRISE FREIGHT
    A. S. Rosenbaum, district manager of the Southern Pacific, is a booster for business, believe it or not. And if he can't get it one way he'll take it another. He got it this week in the form of nails, shingles, roofing, two-by-fours and oil. And claims to be the only Southern Pacific representative to receive cargo ribbon-tied.
    April 3, the special car arrived, personally consigned to Mr. Rosenbaum, who is still untying the ribbons. The carload is only the first of the supplies and material he will receive to complete a home is reported building, several orders having been placed for him by G. R. Green of the American Fruit Growers, Inc. and R. O. Stephenson of the Economy Lumber Company. The latter is very reluctant about giving out any detailed information regarding the shipment today.
Medford Mail Tribune, April 5, 1934, page 4
ROSENBAUM, HERO OF FRENCH STORY,
HAS CHANCE TO REPEAT IN MEXICO
    It's a small world after all. But Medford isn't a small town, and she's not without her celebrities. A trip to Paris is proof of that, according to two Oregon girls, Miss Frances Sparrow of Medford and Miss Corbett of Portland, who enjoyed a European tour, as many will remember, a few years ago.
    This story is that old, but it's good. And it hasn't been published. At least, if it has been, A. S. Rosenbaum, the hero of the tale, won't admit the fact. It is brought to mind again by Miss Sparrow's present travels into Mexico with her mother, Mrs. Alex Sparrow, and sister, Miss Harriet. Her friends are wondering if she will hear of "Rosey" there!
    Walking down the Rue de la (something or other) in Paris, the Misses Sparrow and Corbett, hungry for news of the United States, saw a sign which read "Chicago Inn." They entered the restaurant. The waiter spoke American. They enjoyed a short chat, then he asked if he might bring over the proprietor, "also from the states." The girls consented.
    "I know the United States pretty well," the proprietor volunteered upon arrival at their table. He then mentioned cities in east, west, north and south, including Miss Corbett's home city, Portland.
    He was suddenly called away and Miss Sparrow decided to "stick him on one." As he returned to the table, she began, "I'm from a town you never heard of, I believe." Asked where, she replied, "Medford." She got this answer. "Is Rosey still running the Southern Pacific?"
Medford News, January 25, 1935
Handling Perishable Fruit Traffic
From the Rogue River Valley
By A. S. Rosenbaum, District Freight and Passenger Agent, Southern Pacific Co.
    When the discriminating housewife who lives in a Midwest or eastern city tells her grocer or market clerk that she wants a "dozen of those fine-looking pears," does she ask where the fruit is from and then voice surprise that it could be shipped that distance from Oregon and still be "fine looking"?
    It's likely that she does not. Probably she takes it for granted, just as do millions of other persons throughout the nation, that her favorite fruit will be right there in the market when she wants it. Perhaps she little realizes how the perfection of a complicated phase of rail transportation has influenced her buying and eating habits.
    Yet it has been only through the process of refrigeration in rail service that the nationwide distribution of perishable products has become possible, which in turn has helped to develop in Oregon and other Pacific coast states the orchards and vegetable acreage that serve the far corners of our country.
    The present high standard of rail refrigeration service is comparatively recent in its creation and is under constant improvement. It was, however, nearly simultaneous with the planting of the first commercial pear orchard in the Rogue River Valley during 1885-86, that fruit was successfully shipped under refrigeration for the first time from the Pacific Coast to eastern markets.
    These first "fruit cars" were little more than ordinary freight boxcars. Blocks of ice had to be piled in each end of the car before the fruit was loaded. There was no insulation of the car, nor was there any provision for re-icing the cars en route. Crude and impractical as this method now seems, these cars were the forerunners of the modern Pacific Fruit Express "reefer."
    Unfortunately, we can find no record of just when the first carload of fruit was shipped from the Rogue River Valley. Most likely it was a shipment to Portland probably made in the early '90s [It was in 1884.] as soon as the first commercial orchards came into bearing. There were, of course, many earlier less-than-carload shipments. Some of the fruit was shipped by express to the eastern markets at that early date.
    By the turn of the century the rail refrigerator cars had been developed sufficiently to ensure protection of the fruit on the long transcontinental trip, and the Rogue River Valley shipments gradually began to assume greater proportions in this traffic as the acreage and production increased from year to year.
    During the past ten years, for which records are available, the peak in carload shipments was reached in 1930, when 4619 carloads of fruit were shipped from ten concentration points in the Rogue River Valley. Of this amount, 3723 carloads were shipped from Medford. Phoenix was second with 354 carloads. Of this total for the valley there were 3933 acres of pears, 617 cars of apples, 19 cars of other deciduous fruits and 50 cars of miscellaneous perishables.
    The train schedules for handling perishable shipments from this valley are not available prior to 1920, when the government returned the railroads to private operation. In that year the schedules from the Rogue River Valley provided delivery at Chicago in time for the ninth-day market and 13th-day at New York. Since that time service has been constantly improved and schedules shortened until at the present time shipments arrive in Chicago for seventh-day auction and tenth-day at New York and other Atlantic Seaboard markets.
    All rail shipments out of the valley are transported in Pacific Fruit Express equipment. That company was organized in 1906 by the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific companies. When the Pacific Fruit Express started operations in October 1907, it owned 6600 cars and during its first year handled 48,903 carloads of perishable traffic. Today it has more than 40,000 cars equipped for freight service, and in 1934 handled 322,523 carloads of perishable and semi-perishable commodities.
    The Pacific Fruit Express company stands today as the largest operator of refrigerator cars in the world. At Roseville, California, where the majority of shipments from Pacific Coast points are re-iced and assembled into solid fruit trains for the transcontinental trip, the P.F.E. has constructed the world's largest ice manufacturing plant, with a daily production capacity of 1300 tons and storage space for 52,606 tons of ice.
    Icing services of P.F.E. cars in the Rogue River valley are performed by commercial ice companies under contracts. At Medford, where most of the cars moving under refrigeration are iced, the work is done by the Medford Ice and Storage company, whose facilities consist of a plant with 110 tons daily manufacturing capacity, 19,350 tons storage, and platform that will accommodate 51 cars at a time. This platform was originally built to handle seven cars. In 1925 it was expanded to take care of 21 cars, and in 1929 built to its present size. The original ice storage capacity of 8,750 tons was also extended in 1929.
    At Grants Pass such icing service as is required is done over a two-car single icing platform, from an ice plant of eight tons daily manufacturing capacity and 100 tons storage. Facilities at Ashland, consisting of an eight-car single icing platform, 18 tons daily capacity and 1,200 tons storage, have not been used to any extent in recent years, as it has been found more expeditious to perform the icing services at Medford.
    Perishable commodities moving by rail to distant markets require diversion and reconsignment far more than any other kind of freight. Also it is essential that shippers and consignees be promptly and properly informed as to the location of their shipments in order that they may take full advantage of the best possible markets. Through its scores of agents in the United States and Canada, the P.F.E. performs this service most completely. It is estimated that approximately 85 percent of all cars of perishables from the Pacific Coast territory are changed in some manner between point of origin and final destinations. With the improvements in telegraph during recent years, particularly the perfection of the teletype, the P.F.E. has developed its diversion and passing advice service to a high point of efficiency.
    Indicating the magnitude of this service, the P.F.E. offices during the past five years have handled more than four million diversions, an average of 800,000 a year. When the Rogue River Valley fruit is moving in volume, the rail company has stationed an experienced diversion clerk at Medford to ensure the most expedited handling of shippers' diversion orders.
Rogue River Valley Pear-O-Scope, January 1935, page 3; reprinted in the March 29, 1935 issue of the Medford Mail Tribune, page 9


    Coming to Medford in 1907, Mr. Rosenbaum has watched the fruit industry in Medford district from its infancy to the present time, having been closely identified with the transportation of the fruit crops since the days when it amounted to but a few cars per year to the 1935 season when figures show a total of 1836 cars of pears and 128 of apples. In 1928, there were 75 cars a day for 30 days. The peak was reached in 1930 with 3810 of pears and 719 apples.
    Mr. Rosenbaum remembers particularly the times when special train loads of smudge oil were necessary to preserve the crops, when special trains to Portland were imperative to make boat connections, and the very helpful part the Southern Pacific played that fateful year of 1926 during the spray residue situation, when a large amount was contributed to help the Fruit Growers League and the refund later refused.
Rogue River Valley Pear-O-Scope, November 1935, page 8


ROSENBAUM FACES MONTHS IN BED
    Glad to hear that he is getting along satisfactorily, and at the same time sorry to learn that his stay in San Francisco will be months long, friends of A. S. "Rosey" Rosenbaum received latest reports on his condition the first of the week. In a fall at the Masonic Temple at Yreka last Thursday, "Rosey," as he is known from Paris to San Francisco, received a fracture of the left hip. He was removed to the Southern Pacific general hospital in San Francisco Friday and had a satisfactory trip south.
    The extent of his injury had not been determined when reports were received by friends here the first of the week as x-rays were being taken. It was, however, reported that he would be required to spend several months in the hospital.
    A number of Mr. Rosenbaum's friends journeyed to Yreka last Thursday and Friday as soon as news of his accident was received here. Letters and messages have since been keeping wires and mailmen busy between here and San Francisco, for no one has more friends than "Rosey," and few people in the world have as many. New of his injury is received with regret in every hamlet and city of the country, for in each and every one of them there is someone who knows Rosey and someone who can't imagine the trains running without him.
Medford News, April 22, 1936, page 1
A. S. Rosenbaum in Hospital.
    Medford, Ore., June 5.--A. S. Rosenbaum, district freight and passenger agent, Southern Pacific Railroad, Medford, suffered a severe injury to his hip several weeks ago, and is confined in the Southern Pacific general hospital at San Francisco for an indefinite period. Mr. Rosenbaum is well known to many fruit shippers on the coast and in the East.
The Chicago Packer, June 6, 1936, page 14


    So "Rosey" has quit the S.P. and retired!
    It will be about as easy for the community to adjust itself to this startling announcement, as if Roxy Ann should suddenly decide to move to the other side of Crater Lake.
    For through the many years, "Rosey," alias A. S. Rosenbaum, has been something more than a faithful and obliging representative of the Southern Pacific; he has become a local INSTITUTION.
    And a very important and comforting institution, not only in his special field of railroad transportation, but in every conceivable movement of a progressively civic nature, as well as in the more intimate realms of personal relationship, particularly that of promoting amity among the younger generation.
*  *  *
    Yes, it is hard to see how the "valley" can get along without "Rosey." It is even harder to see how the S.P. can survive.
    For it is this department's considered opinion that no soulless corporation in human history ever had a more faithful servant, and more invaluable contact man, than the Southern Pacific has had in A. S. Rosenbaum, during the past 30 or 40 years.
    The record, in our judgment, in unique!
    For during all that time, no public utility serving Southern Oregon has been more UNpopular with the people than the selfish and reactionary S.P. While no CITIZEN has PERSONALLY been MORE POPULAR with the SAME people than its kindly and public-spirited representative, A.S.R.
*  *  *
    That isn't any swan song applesauce.
    It happens to be literally true.
    It is equally true, that while "Rosey," throughout his service, invariably acted on the principle the customer is always right, while he worked his head off night and day to give the best possible service to this community in every conceivable way, there was never the slightest deviation in his 100 percent loyalty and devotion to the corporation he served, which resolutely refused to follow any such enlightened course; in fact with apparent deliberation adopted an exactly contrary one.
*  *  *
    Now we maintain that is SOME achievement!
    And we don't care who may achieve it--when the achiever decides to call it a day, he deserves what we venture to say the master he has served so devotedly and unselfishly all these years, will never give him:
    A special vote of thanks, and a rose-entwined accolade impressed upon his serene and unwrinkled brow!
Medford Mail Tribune, March 12, 1942
Old Friends Honor "Rosey" at Dinner
    About twenty-five businessmen and old residents of Medford gathered at the Old Mill cafe on South Pacific Highway Wednesday evening at 6:30 where a dinner was given in honor of A. S. Rosenbaum, more familiarly known throughout the community as "Rosey," who recently announced his retirement as district freight and passenger agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, after 47 years service.
    The dinner was in charge of Glenn Jackson, president of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, who called on Mr. Gus Newbury, old-time friend of the honored guest, to make the principal address. Mr. Newbury, in his inimitable manner, told many stories of his long years of service which had endeared "Rosey" to the community. He expressed the hope of all that "Rosey" would continue to make his home in Medford where he had made so many friends.
    Mr. Rosenbaum, in response, spoke feelingly of his great pleasure in the honor given him and thanked the guests for their expressions of good will. Among others who expressed their friendship and good will for the honored guest was Judge J. B. Coleman, who said he had known Rosey ever since he had come to Medford as depot agent in 1907 and had found him always courteous, kind and helpful. He too expressed the hope that Mr. Rosenbaum would continue to live among us.
Central Point American, March 12, 1942, page 1
Letter Recalls Rockefeller Visit to Rogue Valley
By D. D. Davis
    How would you like to read a letter from John D. Rockefeller, Junior, written to you in 1926, thanking you for a nice box of Rogue River pears? Well, our good friend and good citizen, A. S. "Rosey" Rosenbaum, is the man that holds that honor, and the writer had the privilege of seeing and reading the letter.
    It seems that John D. Jr., with his wife and two sons, Nelson and a brother, came to the coast on a visit in a special car of the New York Central lines. They stopped off at Medford, and Mr. Rosenbaum showed them around through the packing houses and gave them an idea of where Medford stands in the pear industry. Mrs. Rockefeller complained that the pears "were green," and so Mr. Rosenbaum selected a good box and sent them on to the Rockefellers at their summer home at Eyrie, Seal Harbor, Maine, about two or three weeks later.
    The letter referred to was in acknowledgment of these pears, which Mr. Rockefeller said were "delicious and the best they had ever tasted."
    The writer of the letter was John D. Jr., direct son of the famous old "John D.," organizer and developer of the Standard Oil Company. John D. Sr. lived a long and useful life, and his son John D. Jr. passed on some years ago leaving behind him two very fine sons, one being Nelson, assistant to Secretary of  State Stettinius, and chosen by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce as being THE outstanding Junior Citizen of the United Sates. In other words he is the grandson of the "old John D."
    While here Col. C. G. Thompson, Supt. of Crater Lake National Park, took them for a trip and visit to Klamath Falls and to see our wonderful Crater Lake. It is stated that although Mrs. Rockefeller did not go down to the water's edge of the lake, John D. Jr. and the two boys did. From Medford they continued by train to Grants Pass, and from there we are told they drove south over the Redwood Highway.
    Whatever one may think of the old man John D., it must be admitted that he has left behind some very fine sons and grandsons, and through them he has contributed millions toward aiding in medical research and the fight against disease and in which his fight against hookworm will stand as a monument to his name forever. Also his money was the principal backer of our wonderful University of Chicago.
    Yes, rugged individualism founded the Rockefeller millions. Private enterprise carried on the business. And good family stock left to our nation some Rockefeller sons and grandsons of whom we may ALL be proud. Thank you, Mr. Rosenbaum, for the privilege of reading the letter and listening to your story. Thank you for permitting the writer to give it space in this paper.
Medford News, February 9, 1945, page 4
A. S. ROSENBAUM CITED AS MOST COURTEOUS MAN
    A reward of a war bond for being the "most courteous man in Jackson County" was presented to A. S. "Rosey" Rosenbaum recently by the Truth and Consequences program.
    The conductor of the program, who is also the ace war bond salesman on the radio, decided recently that there was too little courtesy being shown throughout the nation, due to war nerves and general weariness on the part of the people. The radio plans to present one in each county. Many are familiar with the program.
    A local judge was asked to pick the most courteous man in Jackson County, which he did. Naturally the judge wishes to remain anonymous. He is in public office, and he fears, and truthfully, that some of the boys might be discourteous enough to not vote for him since they weren't selected.
    It didn't take much thinking to pick "Rosey," because he has been known for years as one of the most courteous people in the community.
    The presentation of the war bond was particularly appropriate since Rosey, acting as an individual salesman, has sold more than $2,400,000 worth of war bonds since the war bond drives started. The local war bond committee, considering the size of the community, feels that Rosey could safely lay claim to the highest bond-selling honors of the nation.
    George Frey, general war bond chairman of Jackson County, made presentation of the bond during a half-hour bond show over KMED.
Medford News, July 6, 1945, page 1
Life Membership Given "Rosie" by C. of C.
    A. S. Rosenbaum was presented a life membership in the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at a special meeting of the chamber at the Medford Hotel at which guests from Coos Bay, Klamath Falls, Ashland and Grants Pass were present. Mr. Rosenbaum has been a member of the group for about 30 years.
    In making the presentation, W. A. Gates stated that "no higher pinnacle of success can be attained by a man than to win the love and respect of his fellow men."
    Mr. Rosenbaum, now retired from the employ of the Southern Pacific Railway Company, during the war was one of the country's most outstanding war bond salesmen.
Central Point American, April 11, 1946, page 1

A. S. ROSENBAUM GIVEN LIFE MEMBERSHIP
IN COUNTY C OF C
    A. S. Rosenbaum was presented a life membership in the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce yesterday at a special meeting of the chamber at the Medford Hotel at which guests from Coos Bay, Klamath Falls, Ashland and Grants Pass were present. Mr. Rosenbaum has been a member of the group for about 30 years.
    In making the presentation, W. A. Gates stated that "no higher pinnacle of success can be attained by a man than to win the love and respect of his fellow men."
    Mr. Rosenbaum, now retired from the employ of the Southern Pacific Railway Company, during the war was one of the country's most outstanding war bond salesmen.
Medford Mail Tribune, April 5, 1946, page 1
A. S. ROSENBAUM, BELOVED RESIDENT, CALLED BY DEATH
    Death came yesterday to Albert Simon Rosenbaum, longtime Medford resident and former district freight and passenger agent in Southern Oregon for the Southern Pacific railroad company, following a recent operation in the company's hospital in San Francisco. According to reports received by friends here, "Rosey," as he was known to literally thousands in this region, was believed to be making a good recovery from the operation until an asthmatic condition suddenly arose to bring his demise.
    Mr. Rosenbaum was born April 2, 1872 in San Francisco and received his early schooling in that city and in Napa and Modesto, Calif. He entered the Southern Pacific service in August 1894 as relief agent on the western division, spending some time on the San Joaquin, Tucson and Shasta division as agent and operator and going to the Portland division as agent about 1899.
    He served as agent at Merlin for several years when that place was a very active community, later coming to Medford to serve as agent until August, 1916 when he became agent at Portland, holding that post until 1923. In the latter year he was promoted to district freight and passenger agent for Southern Oregon with headquarters here, a position he held until his retirement in April, 1942.
Popularity Earned
    Always kind and considerate no matter how rushed, always pleasant and courteous, always ready to be of service, "Rosey" became a sort of goodwill ambassador not only for the railroad but for the community. Through this unfailing consideration and courtesy he was probably one of the most widely known and liked men in Southern Oregon.
    He was a member of the old Crater Club, Rotary, Hillah Temple of the Shrine, Elks, Masons, Rogue Valley Country Club and University Club and had been honored with a life membership in the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce because of his outstanding civic activities. He also won citation for his work in bond selling during and after the war and for other patriotic efforts.
    Following Mr. Rosenbaum's expressed wishes, private funeral services were held today in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Milton Ottoman of Medford had been with Mr. Rosenbaum for the past four days.   
    Mr. Ottoman, a nephew, served with Mr. Rosenbaum for several years in the local S.P. office.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 18, 1947
A. S. ROSENBAUM SUCCUMBS AFTER S.F. OPERATION
    Albert Simon Rosenbaum, known throughout the West as "Rosey," the former district freight and passenger agent for the Southern Pacific for the Medford district, died Thursday, July 17, in the Southern Pacific hospital in San Francisco, following an operation. He was 75 years old.
    Rosenbaum entered the employ of Southern Pacific in 1894, serving chiefly in California, until he went to Portland in 1916, after serving as agent in Medford. He served as agent in Portland until 1923, when he was promoted to district freight and passenger agent for southern Oregon, with headquarters in Medford. He continued here until he retired in 1942.
    During the recent war, Rosenbaum received several citations for his individual effort in selling war bonds, having several million dollars in sales to his credit. He was a member of Hillah Temple of the Shrine, the Elks, Rogue Valley Country Club, Rotary Club, University Club, and a life member of the Chamber of Commerce.
    Survivors here include a nephew, Milton Ottoman, and relatives in San Francisco and New York. Private funeral services were held Friday in San Francisco, following Mr. Rosenbaum's wishes.
    Thousands in the Medford area were shocked to hear of Mr. Rosenbaum's death, as he was one of the most loved men in the community.
Medford News, July 25, 1947, page 1



Last revised April 10, 2022