Historical past forgets how typically our neighbors had been concerned in shaping it, even in small methods. In the course of the 18 months that Brig. Gen. George Marshall commanded the U.S. Military’s Vancouver Barracks, Clark County residents had been in day by day contact with him and his spouse, Katherine. Via their sharing of oral histories, we are able to be taught extra concerning the Marshalls. These oral histories include particulars about their lives biographers normally have but to find.
Theddora Morrow’s connection got here by way of her job working within the residence of Marshall’s monetary officer. The final visited each Thursday and generally on different weekdays. She recollects studying to make Crêpes Suzette, and Marshall claimed she made them similar to the French. Mrs. Marshall typically known as on Theddora when she wanted additional assist serving and Theddora recalled receiving a “thank you” be aware from her.
She remembered the final had a “fiery Irish temper.” Theddora recollects in her oral historical past seeing Marshall “chew down a guy at 20 paces, and he made mincemeat out of him.” On the time, her mood was equally scorching. Marshall suggested her to make her mood work for her by redirecting it towards her duties and solely shedding it when she may benefit from it.
Theddora additionally remembers the final’s horse, which she claimed stood tall at 17 arms. Marshall rode each morning. She made buddies with the grooms within the horse barn, who taught her to journey army fashion.
She recollects the 1937 Soviet touchdown as a result of her brother additionally landed at Pearson Area that day. She was round when the Russian crew, commanded by Valery Chkalov, was delivered to the Marshall Home after finishing their first trans-polar flight. She recollects “their ungodly body odor.” Marshall wished them to wash, however Theddora mentioned they had been extra concerned about being with a woman first and had been sad these in the home weren’t turned over to them.
The day the Soviets’ ANT-25 airplane landed, Oregonian reporter Leverett Richards got here to the sector, spoke to Marshall and took images of the plane. In his oral historical past, he reminisced about typically talking with the final, recalling the delight Marshall took within the Civilian Conservation Corps, which was administered regionally from Vancouver Barracks. Richards discovered Marshall to be business-like — not brusque, however environment friendly. Whereas Richards was serving on a committee attempting to reestablish Fort Vancouver as a historic website, he talked about this to Marshall, who mentioned he’d see what he might do. Every week later, Richards mentioned the committee started to get motion.
Burgerville founder George Propstra additionally contributed to native oral historical past concerning the Marshalls. Propstra left enterprise college to hitch his father’s restaurant, the Holland Creamery, which was positioned for many years on the southwest nook of Major Avenue and West McLoughlin Boulevard.
His oral historical past revealed that he delivered ice cream to the Vancouver Barracks at 11 a.m. each Sunday. George and Katherine Marshall had been common Sunday prospects on the creamery, which additionally served sandwiches. Ice cream was much less widespread within the late Nineteen Thirties than immediately, so the weekend deal with was particular. Propstra mentioned the Marshalls would arrive in a chauffeured black limousine for the thick, chilly, wealthy ice cream.