History - 225th Virtual Artifact Vault
Introduction to the 225th Virtual Artifact Vault File - Nothing explains our agency greater than the historic object. As part of
the yearlong celebration of our
225th anniversary,
the U.S. Marshals will feature a virtual historical artifact, document,
or account to educate both internal and external audiences. We “open the
vault” to better define our many missions throughout the long trail of
our storied history. The age of the object will vary, as will its
story. The file cards will periodically move on to describe a new
object, so keep checking back!
Linking History Across Generations
| On
November 14, 2014, Ms. Ruby Bridges commemorated the 54th anniversary of
her first classes at the former William Frantz School (now Akili
Academy) in New Orleans. The event celebrated the historic milestone of
public school integration in the city on the same day on November 14,
1960, when U.S. marshals escorted little Ruby Bridges into the School,
facing angry crowds gathered outside shouting against the entry of the
solitary African-American girl.
Two deputy marshals from two generations came together to honor Bridges
that evening too. Charlie Burks, 92, the lone surviving deputy who
escorted her to classes that November day, and Brian Teston, a young
deputy from the District of Arizona who knew Bridges as a family friend,
reacquainted themselves with the honoree. These two deputy marshals
bridged the generations in a single moment. |
Deputy USM (retired) Charlie Burk and Deputy USM
Brian Teston. |
|
“I had no idea I would be a deputy marshal,” said Teston. A native of
New Orleans, his mother and Bridges were co-workers and friends.
Although they had not seen each other for many years, Teston recognized
his mother’s old friend immediately.
Charlie Burks retired in Indiana many years ago, but memories of his
duties as a deputy and a U.S. Marshal never left him.
Norman Rockwell captured that moment with his famous painting, “The
Problem We All Live With.” Two, real deputy marshals served as models
wearing the badge for the picture.
Bridges, Teston and his mother, and retired U.S. Marshal Charlie Burks
and his family, gathered with others to honor the woman who once was the
brave little girl who forever changed a nation. Officials unveiled a
statue depicting little Ruby on the site that same night. |
Archived Artifacts:
- "On the Threshold of a Dream,” by artist Jeffrey Batson, was
created in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the integration of
the University of Mississippi in October 2002. The work features a
distant figure following a long bloody trail to the university’s
columned registration building, known as the Lyceum. Thick clouds of
tear gas, used by our deputies during the riots drifts around the
columns. Through the mist forms various newspaper headlines, an image of
Chief U.S. Marshal James J.P. McShane with incoming student James
Meredith, and the preamble to the Constitution.”
“The riots on the campus of the University of Mississippi at Oxford took
place on the night of September 30-October 1, 1962. Mr. Meredith was
escorted onto campus while deputy and specially-deputized border patrol
and prison guards circled the Lyceum. An increasingly-hostile crowd
threw bricks and battery acid at the deputies. A sniper fired buckshot,
nearly killing one of them. Despite having side arms, they were only
allowed to utilize the gas guns at their disposal. After nearly nine
hours of this standoff, the military arrived and ended the immediate
crisis.”
“In 2002, a reunion between a number of retired deputies present at the
riots and Mr. Meredith took place in Oxford. In addition, the University
and the city planned entire programs for all involved, including the
military and former students. All warmly invited the U.S. Marshals back.
To commemorate the anniversary, a number of USMS employees worked with
the artist and suggested the features given within it.”
“An official rendition was framed and presented by then Director Benigno
Reyna to University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert Khayat for the
anniversary. Circulated as an official poster, it is considered the only
official art poster of its type. Despite the heavy symbolism and
abstract nature, “On the Threshold” captures both deeds and goals in one
piece.”
- The First 15 Most Wanted Draft: In 1979, the U.S. Marshals
Service gained the Fugitive Apprehension Program through a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Under the
supervision of Howard Safir, the fledgling enforcement program sought
innovative ways to capture those most dangerous fugitives. In 1983,
Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Leschorn, who came to Headquarters from New
York, came up with this handwritten draft of what he envisioned would be
the very first "15 Most Wanted."
- Assistant U.S. Marshals Badge for China
- From 1906 until 1943, there was indeed a U.S. Marshal for China.
Commercial interest in China among competitive Western powers led to
friction between them and the Chinese empire—ultimately leading to
what was known as the Boxer Rebellion. The U.S. Court for China was
created by Congress following this conflict. The consular courts
would be staffed with judges, federal attorneys, and clerks as well
as a number of deputy U.S. marshals. This was not unique, as similar
posts were found in the Ottoman Empire, Russia, Korea, and even
Japan. The early international duties in China, centered in
Shanghai, were helmed by different departments in the United States.
Former Information Officer William Dempsey wrote the supervision
originally belonged to the Department of State. In 1933, Executive
Order No. 6166 moved this responsibility to the Department of
Justice. On May 20, 1943, the U.S. Court for China ended with the
ratification of a treaty relinquishing any extraterritorial rights.
The badge—for an “Assistant U.S. Marshal”—signified it was likely
worn by someone who performed both administrative and operational
duties. Duties in the consular courts often varied.
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