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The museum archives have been used much lately with a variety of inquiries coming from many sources. An inquiry about German Prisoners of War at Fort D.A. Russell. In researching this one we found the first prisoners ar rived Nov. 13, 1943. They had their own buildings in the area now vacant on the North side of Bonnie Street. These included a mess hall, sleeping quarters, laundry and recreation area. According to one of the civil ians who worked at Fort D.A. Russell the Germans made deli cious sweetrolls. Another inquiry was from North Carolina seeking infor mation about Dr. Robert J. Orr who was Pancho Villa’s per sonal physician. Dr. Orr prac ticed with Dr. J.A. Simpson in Marfa in 1918. August 1921, they rented the second floor of the Kirby Building. Mr. Kirby built the two story building on Highland Avenue now known as the Glascock Building. No vember 25, 1921, Dr. Orr died in Marfa. He was survived by Mrs. Orr and several children. If you have memories of this family, please give Pat Godbold a call. During the severe small-pox epidemic in 1919 in Marfa Dr. Orr was one of several doctors working night and day trying to control the disease. Last week we had a young man from New Hampshire vis iting the museum hunting infor mation about James Dean, the popular young actor in the movie Giant filmed in Presidio County in 1955. The museum has received Liv ing Memorials for Judge War ren Johnson and Frances Mitchell Marshall. Each of these beautiful people added much good to this area. Frances Mitchell was born in the house now owned by the Charles Elmore’s at 501 N. Hill St. She graduated from Marfa High School in May 1924. The commencement exercises were held at the Marfa Opera House. Later this building was the Pal ace Theater now owned by David Kimble. Frances Mitchell Marshall shared her beautiful, well trained voice until just a few years ago. One of the last times was at a Century Culture Club luncheon at The Thunderbird Restaurant. In the same house where Frances Mitchell was born the T.C.. Mitchells were honored on their SOth wedding anniver sary, Nov. 30, 1943. That was 50 years ago, the T.C. Mitchells were married 100 years ago this month. Another November happening was the wedding of Verna Humphreys and Lt. William J. Price, Nov. 7, 1943. When Johnny Lippe, Odessa, installed the new telephone at the museum last Saturday he commented on the very old lightning projector in the corner of the room. When he exam ined it the date was 1914. If you want to send a memo rial to the museum, mail it to Box 538, Marfa or bring it by the Marfa and Presidio County Museum, Wednesday after noons.
Newspaper Details
Marfa Big Bend Sentinel
Marfa, Texas, US
Thu, Nov 11, 1993
Page 9
Full Page
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USA 05 Aug 2026
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