Document text
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 Home News Latest Stories Rains fall over parts of the Oregon Gulch Fire New managers hope to make Historic Ashland Armory the city's Crystal Ballroom Since You Asked: Where have all the balloons gone? Get Up & Go: Tuesday, Aug. 5 Mail Tribune 100 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Rains fall over parts of the Oregon Gulch Fire Medford man who was misidentified as arson suspect released from jail Emergency Services Still fighting lots of fires in national forest, but sizes are small UPDATED: Oregon Gulch Fire 20 percent contained Politics and Elections Medford council veterans plan exit Medical marijuana patients run for council seat Former colleagues laud Atiyeh's 'practical' leadership Bates-Dotterrer race called critical to Senate control Richardson challenges Kitzhaber during debate Education Free meals program expands in Grants Pass Migrant student numbers soar $21 million Science Building upgrades begin at SOU Eagle Point district mulls fate of Trail school SOU Provost James Klein plans to retire State news Nation - World Obituaries Emma Elizabeth Ronald J. Dollarhide Elma Ondrey Lucille Grace Merrifield Roy Lemont Seela Weather Photo Galleries Videos Sports Latest Stories Isner loses to Dodig in Rogers Cup Cox, Pereira power Rogues past Gems Local Events Southern Oregon Karters to host Grants National go-kart races Nebraska junior Christian Cox displays versatility as pitcher, outfielder for Medford Rogues Varsity 541 College Sports Cox, Pereira power Rogues past Gems Nebraska junior Christian Cox displays versatility as pitcher, outfielder for Medford Rogues Oregon Ducks: To playoff or not to playoff? Coach Riley prepares Beavers for fall camp Mannion, Beavers look to close the gap Pro Sports Isner loses to Dodig in Rogers Cup Serena secures Stanford tourney Giants rally to beat Bills in HOF Game McIlroy victorious at Bridgestone Allred finishes sixth at Barracuda Community Sports Larkins named Oregon Bowling Proprietors of Year Mavs capture Legion A state title Medford Mustangs win American Legion state title Allred to enter Hall of Fame at Pepperdine Comet rally falls short in Legion A tourney Business Latest Stories $200 million development begins in south Medford Blog: Part 2: How to Stay Cool in 100 Degree Weather Avista requests rate hike of 9.7% Blog: Study finds Oregon's exports slow to recover Contractor sweep nets 34 violations in S. Oregon Real Estate News Average selling price of existing homes jumps 8.1% countywide People In Business People in business People in Business Transportation Medford airport has second-best June ever Agriculture Hail has local pear growers checking for damage Del Rio plans to add 50% more plants Harry & David sets sights on year-round operations Opinion Latest Our View: School success is about more than the three Rs Michael Gerson: Bet on Africa rising Letter: Support CATS Letter: Improvements appreciated Letter: A durable ceasefire Editorials Our View: School success is about more than the three Rs Our Opinion: An uphill battle Other Views: Vic Atiyeh, truth-teller Our Opinion: Take it easy Our Opinion: Life and taxes Letters to the Editor Letter: Support CATS Letter: Improvements appreciated Letter: A durable ceasefire Letter: Optimism defeats experience Letter: Consider career education Guest Opinions Who I am and why I want to serve on the City Council City council members should be paid Lifestyle Latest stories Posting thoughts on your bumper can be sticky Tips for keeping backyard birds cool this summer Ashlander's book is a definitive guide to ultrarunning Community blog:Any Volunteers? Vidmar Food Community blog: Ways with watermelon span summer months What's in a wine's name? In Italy, it can get complicated Dive into a big bowl of cold soup DANCIN days are here again Ripe & Ready: Melon season is here Home and Garden Tips for keeping backyard birds cool this summer Bath time for the birds: You can help them stay cool and clean Learn to pick produce at the peak of ripeness Support the mycorrhizae! It could help your plants Make a plan for your fall and over-winter garden Health Posting thoughts on your bumper can be sticky Community blog:Any Volunteers? Rear-end messages say a lot about us Community blog:Top Ten Reasons Why Trying to Solve Other People�s Problems is a Bad Idea Health officials taken aback by STD outbreak Faith Religion briefs Community Blog: Peace: The inward passage - by Bonnie Greenwell Religion briefs Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements Stuss-Bones Births New Arrivals New Arrivals Groen-Arkens Tempo Latest stories 'Chicken' Hirsh: 'A responsible bohemian' 'Shrek' comes to the stage as a musical Sweet Ghosts at Oberon's Entertainment 'on the bricks' at OSF Randall Theatre opens 'Godspell' Theater Review: The joy of 'Godspell' is infectious 'Shrek' comes to the stage as a musical Randall Theatre opens 'Godspell' 'Great Society' a darker sequel to 'All the Way' 'The Great Society' opens at OSF Music 'Chicken' Hirsh: 'A responsible bohemian' Sweet Ghosts at Oberon's Entertainment 'on the bricks' at OSF John Hiatt: 'Terms of My Surrender' Delta Halos and The Lures at Club 66 Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk It's Fair Time! Dining India Palace Taco Riendo Uber Herbal Coquina Restaurant Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Old steam engine connects brothers, grandfather Brothers get a chance to visit the steam engine their grandfather conducted in the area more than a century ago JACKSONVILLE — Two brothers got their first look Thursday at a steam engine on which their grandfather was a conductor in 1893 — at age 13 — for runs between the town and Medford. By Tony Boom MailTribune.com By Tony Boom Posted Jul. 28, 2014 @ 12:01 am By Tony Boom Posted Jul. 28, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News JACKSONVILLE — Two brothers got their first look Thursday at a steam engine on which their grandfather was a conductor in 1893 — at age 13 — for runs between the town and Medford. "I'm very excited. It's a beautiful little engine for 123 years old. It's been kept up very well," said Richard Talbot, 64, who climbed aboard the H.K. Potter Company locomotive No. 1236 at Bigham Knoll with his brother, John, 69. Their grandfather, John C. Barnum, gained notoriety at the time as possibly the youngest conductor in the world. He was featured in newspaper articles, and a photo of him in a conductor's uniform was published in the Portland Railway and Marine Gazette. Bigham Knoll owners Mel and Brooke Ashland purchased the engine, the first used when the line started in 1891, earlier this year and had it placed on tracks in the original railroad right of way on June 14. The Ashlands greeted the brothers and were eager to learn more about their grandfather's involvement with railroad operations. John C.'s father, William, was an engineer on the line, and ended up owning and running it for many years under the name Rogue River Valley Railroad. He was leasing the railroad at the time John C. was the conductor. John C. worked in multiple roles for the railroad. He later moved to the Bay Area but retained his interest in trains. The boys grew up in Oakland, while their grandfather lived in Berkeley. "Any time there was a steam-engine trip, he was sure to grab it," said John. At the time, steam excursions were becoming rare as diesel engines took over. One trip on a stream train with his grandfather took them from the Bay Area to Truckee, near the Nevada border, said John. That one had open cars, he said. Richard recalled a ride on an electrified train that ran from Oakland to Chico. But the special run probably went only as far as Suisun Bay, he said. Richard is the historian and railroad buff of the pair. He brought along a large album filled with photos and documents related to the railroad and his grandfather. One photo shows him in 1955 with his grandfather outside a coach car on a trip they took to Klamath Falls. Among the artifacts is a 1912 ticket book for the railroad that has a timetable on the back. It lists departures from Medford and Jacksonville and also from Perrydale, a stop in west Medford. The album also has bills of lading and an unused railroad company note pad. There's a photo of John C. in the railroad company's office, likely in the downtown depot building, taken in 1913. A model locomotive that John C. built is displayed on a shelf above his head in the picture. John recalled his grandfather had the model stored in a building in Klamath Falls, but it was stolen. John C. became a draftsman, then a self-taught mechanical engineer who did design work on cables for the Bay Bridge. "He used to joke that if it came down, it was his fault," Richard recalled his mother saying. John and Richard came to Southern Oregon from El Sobrante, Calif., to complete transfer of the Barnum Building at 315 E. Main St., Medford, from a family trust into family ownership. The brothers have been in contact with Medford historian Ben Truwe, who arranged the engine visit, about the building and the railroad for a year. Looking at the engine, Richard said he wished he had some artifacts such as marker lights from the family's rail line. "I do have stuff from other railroads, but not from this one," he said. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom MailTribune.com By Tony Boom Posted Jul. 28, 2014 @ 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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 2014 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