Robert I. Short was my grandfather. He worked for many years at the Oregon Depot as the freight agent.
During the summers (1950’s), my mom and I would come back to visit my grandparents. While I was there, Grandfather would let me go to the depot with him and let me be his secretary. I would type on the old black typewriter, file papers from 1 basket and put them back after I stamped them on back paid. Now thinking back, they were already stamped on front.
The real treat was riding the caboose to Mt. Morris to the Kable Company where they would either unload or load freight, and then we would take the caboose back to Oregon. While in Mt. Morris, my other grandfather, Charles Ferguson, Sr. would come out to the train depot for break to visit us.
If Grandfather had a train coming in with freight, I would go to ticket office and stay with Mr. Sharick. If there were passengers, Mr. Sharick would let me stand on stool so I could see over booth and stamp tickets, The passengers always dressed up. Mr. Sharick was also the telegraph operator that was fun to watch and listen.
Grandpa always said never go past end on building or go down by old bridge as there were hobos there and if I did would be in REAL big trouble. Before we went home we always walked around freight depot checking doors and any trains that might be in yard.
My mom, Mary Maraget Short Ferguson, and I took train from Oregon to the west coast. We were on our way to Japan to meet my father. I think the ride took several days. We ate in dining room and always tried to get window seat so we could look out. The table cloth was so white and silverware all shiny. They even had waiters to serve our food. After dinner, we would go back to our compartment to sleep. The train attendant made up the beds while we were out of the compartment.
Sandra Ferguson Gettings
Monday, February 10, 2014