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“Myself” in the Texas Badlands

The Best Mule-Drawn Machine Gun Outfit in Texas 1923
230 mile trip from Marfa to Del Rio in the 1920s


Presenting The Scheibal Collection


A rare look at the military on the Mexican Border
after the Mexican Revolutions and
between the two World Wars
Troop B 1st M.G. Squadron
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
Machine  gun squadron, Marfa TX
"Best turned-out machine gun squadron - taken at Marfa. Corporal Smith in the front"
Penciled note on back of photo
Marfa, TX - Private Schnitzer and two pack  mules
"Private Schnitzer and two of the pack mules at Marfa"
Penciled note on back of photo
Corporal Corrigan at Marfa  TX
"Corporal Corrigan at Marfa"
Penciled note on back of photo
Escort wagon, Marfa TX, old photo
"Best turned-out escort wagon at Marfa"
Penciled note on back of photo
Soldiers at Longfellow, TX old photo
"Corporal Arnold and Myself at Longfellow, Texas"
Penciled note on back of photo
Soldier at Longfellow TX, old photo
""Myself" at Longfellow, Texas"
Penciled note on back of photo
Corporal Jordan at Longfellow TX
"Corporal Jordan showing his nerve at Longfellow, Texas"
Penciled note on back of photo
Corporal on horse crossing Pecos River Bridge, old photo
"Crossing the Pecos Bridge Corporal Wellines [?] on the horse"
Penciled note on back of photo
TX - Pecos River Bridge 1923 old photo
"Pecos River Bridge completed in 1923"
Penciled note on back of photo
Pecos River Bridge
"Pecos Bridge"
Penciled note on back of photo
Comstock TX 1920s
"Taken at Comstock, Texas"
Penciled note on back of photo
TX - Troop B 1st MG Squadron between Comstock and Del Rio
"Troop B 1st MG Squadron between Comstock and Del Rio"
Penciled note on back of photo
TX 1920s Map Showing Marfa To Del Rio
1920s Map Showing Marfa to Del Rio
Click on image to enlarge map
Related Topics:
Texas Vintage Photos
West Texas
Texas Towns
Mexico

WWI
WWII
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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