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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 |
 |
"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 and vintage/historic
photos of their town/subject, please contact
us. | |
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