What History Has Taught Me

Ernest Marsh

 

Ernest Marsh, a San Francisco native, was the star quarterback of Balboa High School’s 1975 championship team before serving in the U.S. Army and California National Guard as a military policeman and Special Tactical Sniper for Governor Jerry Brown. With a degree in Law Enforcement from Los Medanos College, he built a distinguished career in law enforcement and private security, holding key roles with the State of California and Texas.

A lifelong cowboy, Ernest transitioned to horse and cattle ranching, later gaining acclaim for his Buffalo Soldier reenactments and portrayal of legendary lawman Bass Reeves on stage and screen. A SAG-AFTRA actor, he has worked with industry giants like Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner. In 2023, he was inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum Hall of Fame and appointed as an Honorary Deputy U.S. Marshal in 2024. Ernest continues his work in Western film, living history and ranching.

My favorite place in the West is Yosemite National Park in California. It holds a special place in my life, with a wealth of memories accumulated during summer vacations spent with my parents and family. It keeps on giving, memory-wise.

For my money, the best history is taking the time to fully stop and read a roadside historical marker. The ultimate roadside attraction.

Most people don’t know I grew up riding horses on the San Francisco beaches. Heck, yeah, I would rent horses at the stables just south of San Francisco on the Coast Highway 1.

When I was growing up my favorite TV show was, of course, the Saturday morning cartoon Johnny Quest.

Closest I ever got to a near-death experience was when I was in a shootout as a young 20-year-old rookie police officer in Northern California.

I was born to hardworking Southern parents who raised me their way. My Southern roots run deep. My 90-year-old mother is a Waco, Texas, native and my 93-year-old father is a South Mansfield, Louisiana, native; they’re the epitome of Southern charm.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I was told there aren’t any Black cowboys.

History has taught me that every incident in the United States is all American history!

The way to be authentic is to embrace my Marsh Family Celtic motto “Nil Desperandum”. Never Give Up, Never Despair.

I got my best gig when I performed my one-man play Bass Reeves at The Crossroads at the National Cowboy Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 2022.

The biggest break I ever got was the privilege of being part of Taylor Sheridan’s universe in 1883.

The best cowboy(s) I ever knew were Mel Haynes,
Ray Hunt, Billy Blackwell, Roger Allgeier, Charlie Sampson, Fred Whitfield, Lynn Hart and Ora Brown.

Of all the things I’ve done I am most proud of teaching someone how to get over their fear and ride a horse and go on to show, compete and win. Teaching therapeutic riding with disabled veterans with PTSD was especially gratifying.

My parents taught me how to embrace and cultivate gumption. And do things twice as good just so that it could be considered equal.

Where I was raised, we walked to school. We rode our bicycles to the beach or played outside in the street until the streetlights turned on.

The one thing I don’t understand is why I didn’t have the opportunity to take agriculture elective classes in San Francisco as part of my K-12 school curriculums. I could have benefited very much and had a much better understanding of 4-H youth programs and/or Future Farmers of America participation.

If I could go back in time, I would ride for Hanging Judge Issac Parker in the Indian Territory.

My next big challenge is accurately portraying  Deputy United States Marshal Bass Reeves in the upcoming film titled Indian Territory.

What this country needs is American patriotism and the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and republic. Start finish.