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Clark County history: Brig. Gen. George Marshall a big part of community in his 18 months in Vancouver

By Martin Middlewood, Columbian freelance contributor
Published: November 23, 2024, 6:10am
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George C.
George C. Marshall Photo Gallery

History forgets how often our neighbors were involved in shaping it, even in small ways. During the 18 months that Brig. Gen. George Marshall commanded the U.S. Army’s Vancouver Barracks, Clark County residents were in daily contact with him and his wife, Katherine. Through their sharing of oral histories, we can learn more about the Marshalls. These oral histories contain details about their lives biographers usually have yet to discover.

Theddora Morrow’s connection came through her job working in the home of Marshall’s financial officer. The general visited every Thursday and sometimes on other weekdays. She recalls learning to make Crêpes Suzette, and Marshall claimed she made them just like the French. Mrs. Marshall often called on Theddora when she needed extra help serving and Theddora recalled receiving a “thank you” note from her.

She remembered the general had a “fiery Irish temper.” Theddora recollects in her oral history seeing Marshall “chew down a guy at 20 paces, and he made mincemeat out of him.” At the time, her temper was equally hot. Marshall advised her to make her temper work for her by redirecting it toward her duties and only losing it when she could benefit from it.

Theddora also remembers the general’s horse, which she claimed stood tall at 17 hands. Marshall rode every morning. She made friends with the grooms in the horse barn, who taught her to ride military style.

She recalls the 1937 Soviet landing because her brother also landed at Pearson Field that day. She was around when the Russian crew, commanded by Valery Chkalov, was brought to the Marshall House after completing their first trans-polar flight. She recalls “their ungodly body odor.” Marshall wanted them to bathe, but Theddora said they were more interested in being with a girl first and were unhappy those in the house weren’t turned over to them.

The day the Soviets’ ANT-25 plane landed, Oregonian reporter Leverett Richards came to the field, spoke to Marshall and took photos of the aircraft. In his oral history, he reminisced about often speaking with the general, recalling the pride Marshall took in the Civilian Conservation Corps, which was administered regionally from Vancouver Barracks. Richards found Marshall to be business-like — not brusque, but efficient. While Richards was serving on a committee trying to reestablish Fort Vancouver as a historic site, he mentioned this to Marshall, who said he’d see what he could do. A week later, Richards said the committee began to get action.

Burgerville founder George Propstra also contributed to local oral history about the Marshalls. Propstra left business school to join his father’s restaurant, the Holland Creamery, which was located for decades on the southwest corner of Main Street and West McLoughlin Boulevard.

His oral history revealed that he delivered ice cream to the Vancouver Barracks at 11 a.m. every Sunday. George and Katherine Marshall were regular Sunday customers at the creamery, which also served sandwiches. Ice cream was less common in the late 1930s than today, so the weekend treat was special. Propstra said the Marshalls would arrive in a chauffeured black limousine for the thick, cold, rich ice cream.

Martin Middlewood is editor of the Clark County Historical Society Annual. Reach him at ClarkCoHist@gmail.com.

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Columbian freelance contributor