Otto’s Column

LOCAL HISTORY Roy Sharick was Oregon’s main “railroad man”

Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon has researched the people, places and events importantintheOregon area’s history for the Ogle County HistoricalSociety. Thefollowing is one ofa seriesofthearticleshehas written.

BY OTTO DICK

As I recall Oregon Historical Sites and businesses I associate them with a name.

Examples of some of these are the Oregon Lumber Co. (Mervil Rhodes), Schiller Piano Co. (Frederick G. Jones), National Clothing Store (Gene Lebwick), Warmolt’s Clinic (Dr. Warmolt’s), Ogle Co. Fair (Grandma Burright), Etnyre Manufacturing (Daniel Etnyre), Republican Reporter Newspaper (Ernie Landers), Oregon Grade School (Ruby Nash), etc.

In 2012 I wrote an article about Roy Sharick. He is definitely the name that is associated with the railroad. He worked for the railroads for 60 years working seven days a week for $35 dollars a week.

Bob Etnyre shared his experiences at the Oregon Depot in a letter he wrote to Bonnie Hendrickson.

“At the Oregon Depot we were always welcomed by the ticket master Roy Sharick. The story of the Oregon Depot is the story of Roy Sharick and vice versa. Roy was ticket agent for the railroad for 40 or 50 years.

“In fact I believe that Roy might have been born with train tickets in his hand. No nicer a man has ever lived and he loved to have kids in his station, but he would always warn us not to bother the passengers.

“I remember my trips home on the Zephyr from college and the service in WWII. When we disembarked from the train Roy was always there to greet us with a cheery smile and a big hello.

“The depot is a cherished symbol of a grander life for all of us who were privileged to use. Roy Sharick received several letters of commendation from the Burlington officials. One of his job responsibilities was to watch each train passing through Oregon and reporting any problems he observed.

“In 1924 he was highly commended by J. E. Farrington, then Superintendent of the Aurora Division of the Rock Island Lines for reporting the condition of a silk train making a cross country run through Oregon over the Burlington lines. A brake connection was dragging on this train, and noticing it, he signaled the crew. ABOVE: Roy Sharick, right poses by the “Steamer” with Harold Nance. The historic train stopped at the depot when it visited Oregon. BOTTOM LEFT: Sharick stands by mail bags at the Oregon Depot. BOTTOM RIGHT: Sharick lived at 407 Jackson Street in Oregon.

Mr. Farrington’s Commendation said in closing: “I am taking this occasion to express to you the appreciation of the management for your alertness and the prompt action taken.”

On Dec. 30, 1971 Paul Behan, editor of the Republican-Reporter wrote: “R. L. Sharick a community loss. In each generation, a community like Oregon has the privilege to have among its citizens a very limited number of people who are recognized as being special to a great many.

“This recognition is not necessarily measured in material wealth but rather by deeds, community dedication and devotion to his fellow man. Rupert L, “Roy” Sharick was a classic example of this type of special person. ”