Imperial-Los Angeles-Orange County CA Archives Biographies.....Marshall, Cyrus Chalmers 1861 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 18, 2006, 9:05 pm

Author: F. C. Farr (editor, 1918)

CYRUS CHALMERS MARSHALL.—On the roster of county officials of Imperial County
appears the name of Cyrus Chalmers Marshall, who, following a period of
efficient and capable service as city marshal of Brawley, was appointed by the
city commissioners in March, 1915, to this important position. Mr. Marshall was
born in Cairo, Southeastern Iowa, April 15, 1861, a son of William H. and Rachel
Marshall. His father was a native of Ohio, while his mother was born in Iowa,
both parents deceased. Cyrus C. acquired his education in the public schools of
Iowa. He learned the butcher trade with his father, who had followed this
vocation for many years. Early in life Mr. Marshall went to western Kansas,
where he drove stages in Comanche County for three years. He afterwards engaged
in the livery business in Kansas and Oklahoma for many years. For eight years
Mr. Marshall was identified with the sheriff's office in Pawnee County,
Oklahoma. While serving in this capacity he took part in one of the most notable
bank robberies that ever occurred in the state. It was the bank robber's last
"job." When Chal Marshall, as he was called in Oklahoma, left his home in
Jennings to serve some official papers, he had no idea what the day had in store
for him in the way of a battle with "Tom" Jordan, the Cherokee outlaw and bank
robber. Mr. Marshall had been an officer in the west for over twenty-five years
and he saw much service in the "wild and woolly" days in Kansas. When Mr.
Marshall reached the railroad station he was handed a message stating a
telephone message was awaiting him at Mannford. Mr. Marshall caught the train
and was soon in the town. He was soon talking to a farmer over the telephone who
said he would come to town and give him important news. When the farmer arrived
in town he confided to Mr. Marshall that between two and three o'clock that
afternoon "Tom" Jordan and his partner, "Tom" Phemis, would ride into the town
of Keystone and rob the Keystone State Bank. Phemis did not take part in the
robbery, but at the given time Jordan arrived on the scene. Mr. Marshall had
gone in the bank by the rear door and took a position back of the stove. He was
determined to take his prisoner alive, and get the outlaw's story, which would
put irons on a score of men. Jordan appeared at the cashier's window and
demanded the cashier to turn over what he had. "Hand over what you've got," and
"throw up your hands," shouted Marshall. Jordan began shooting, but before he
could raise his pistol for a second shot Mr. Marshall demanded he throw up his
hands and fired to hit Jordan in the right shoulder to "break down" his pistol
arm. The bullet hit the mark, but the sting of the bullet did not stop Jordan
and he fired four more shots at Mr. Marshall, the second bullet ranging fourteen
and the fifth bullet thirty-eight inches to the right of Mr. Marshall's head.
Jordan rushed to the street and was killed by shots fired by a dozen men. Mr.
Marshall received $300 from the bankers' association for his bravery and gallant
work. The banker presented Mr. Marshall with a costly new service Colt revolver
with mother of pearl handle and a bull's head handsomely engraved on the handle.
Mr. Marshall came to California and engaged in the dairy business at Redondo
Beach for one year and then engaged in the hotel business in Anaheim for about a
year. Coming to Brawley in March, 1915, he was made city marshal, which office
he has held since. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Oklahoma,
he being a Knight Templar. His lodge presented him with a handsome Masonic ring
when he left Pawnee County. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. Mr. Marshall was married May 16, 1887, to Lizzie G. Crissman, a native
of Illinois. Their three children are: William F., now in the United States
Infantry, located in the Canal Zone; Cora Armina, a school teacher, and
Elizabeth Lucile, at home. Mrs. Marshall and oldest daughter are members of the
Eastern Star.

Additional Comments:
From:

THE HISTORY
OF
IMPERIAL COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
EDITED BY
F. C. FARR

IN ONE VOLUME
ILLUSTRATED
Published by ELMS AND FRANKS
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1918

Printed by Taylor & Taylor, San Francisco

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