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| Troop B 1st M.G.
Squadron |
Although
the 230 mile trip from Marfa
to Del Rio can
now be made in just four hours, it took considerable longer in the
1920s. Longer still if your mode of travel was a stubborn mule or
the bed of a bone-shaking wagon. This group, identified as a “machine
gun squadron” took the time record a few highlights of the trip, pausing
to pose with local flora or (for at least one soldier) to “show his
nerve.”
Evidently their route avoided the bright lights and temptations of
Alpine and Sanderson
(well, there might have been some in the 20s) but they did manage
to visit a few soon-to-be ghost towns.
Alas, the modest photographer will remain anonymous. The pencil-written
captions on the backs of the photos identify a few individuals, but
the photographer refers to himself as “myself.”
It is a rare look at the military on the Mexican
Border after the Mexican Revolutions and between the two World Wars.
Our thanks to Ms. Scheibal for sharing these
photos “where they will be appreciated.”
Ms. Scheiba’s original letter:
“Eureka! I feel like I've hit the jackpot finding your website! I
inherited a box of old
photos from my grandparents, and included was a set of pictures
c. 1920 Identified as 'Longfellow, TX' and 'Pecos Bridge', etc. Looks
like the military on horseback and a mule train. Anyway, as far as
I can tell, none of my ancestors are in the photos (my grandparents
were both born and raised in Illinois) but maybe one passed through
Longfellow while in the military and took these
photos. I would like to pass them on to where they will be appreciated.”
- K. Scheibal, Edwardsville, Illinois, August 23, 2011 |
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"Best turned-out
machine gun squadron - taken at Marfa.
Corporal Smith in the front"
Penciled
note on back of photo |
"Private
Schnitzer and two of the pack mules at Marfa"
Penciled note on back of photo |
"Corporal
Corrigan at Marfa"
Penciled
note on back of photo |
"Best turned-out
escort wagon at Marfa"
Penciled
note on back of photo |
"Corporal
Jordan showing his nerve at Longfellow,
Texas"
Penciled
note on back of photo |
"Crossing
the Pecos Bridge Corporal Wellines [?] on the horse"
Penciled
note on back of photo |
"Pecos Bridge"
Penciled
note on back of photo |
"Troop B
1st MG Squadron between Comstock
and Del Rio"
Penciled
note on back of photo |
1920s Map Showing
Marfa to Del
Rio
Click on image to enlarge map |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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