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85 years ago (January 24, 1936) two one-of-a-kind guys were born: Doug Kershaw and Marshall E. Mitchell. Happy Birthday!!! ❤ https://youtu.be/WmuJmQ5kpPs
Posted by Ainsley Jo Phillips on Saturday, January 23, 2021
Below is a poem I wrote about Marshall back in 1987 when he was 51. I still can't believe that he's 85 this year...
The Wandering Ranger In The Blue Toronado(The Legend Of Marshall Ennis Mitchell)
This is the story of a modern-day hero
Who has a heart of gold.
Right after he was born in 1936,
His Maker threw away the mold!
Do you want to know who I'm talking about?
Marshall Mitchell is his name--
He's the wandering ranger in the blue Toronado
Who's brought Franklin, Indiana fame!
He bought his car new in '66
While teaching high school history.
Fifteen years later, he changed his career--
But his car was a different story!
Do you want to know who I'm talking about?
Marshall Mitchell is his name--
He's the wandering ranger in the blue Toronado
Who's brought Franklin, Indiana fame!
He became a seasonal ranger
Who went from place to place.
At Mammoth Cave, Springfield, and the Everglades,
He became a familiar face.
And, way up north to the Indiana Dunes,
He made his way one fall--
Yes, the wandering ranger in the blue Toronado
Was really having a ball!
Once, he and his car went to photograph
Every courthouse in the Hoosier State--
They're among nearly fifty-thousand slides
In his whole collection of great
Entertainment. How he loves to show them
To a warm, receptive crowd!
Yes, this wandering ranger in the blue Toronado
Will make you cheer long and loud!
He'll ask a tourist, "Where are you from?"
And, after he finds out,
He'll rattle off a fact or two
About the place. No doubt
He is among the very best
At Trivial Pursuit--
This wandering ranger in the blue Toronado
Is a genius, to boot!
Yes, this man truly is a modern-day hero
And a darn-good ranger, too--
Returning tourists are quick to tell him:
"I always ask for you!"
Do you want to know who I'm talking about?
Marshall Mitchell is his name--
He's the wandering ranger in the blue Toronado
Who's brought Franklin, Indiana fame!
One day, he chose to settle down
In that place we call Kentucky
And work full-time at Mammoth Cave--
The Bluegrass State got lucky!
One April day in '87,
He came to work all smiles,
Telling all who would listen that his blue Toronado
Had gone three-hundred-thousand miles!
But change must come to all of us
(Be it bad or be it good).
Old blue was getting up in years
And Marshall thought, "I should
Send her off to rest in pieces
In that Junkyard In The Sky.". . .
His eyes grew kinda misty
As he waved a last good-bye.
So, now, you know the story of a modern-day hero
Who has a heart of gold.
Right after he was born in 1936,
His Maker threw away the mold!
Do you want to know who I'm talking about?
Marshall Mitchell is his name--
He's the permanent ranger in the Delta 88
Who's bringing Cave Country fame!
