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IN DEPTH SERIES

TOASTMASTER TRUE CRIME:

The Martin Family Mystery

Harvey Schowe

It is December 1958 and a seemly picturque Ozzie and Harriet style family
leave home on a short drive to get Christmas greenry. The family is never seen
alive again lauching the biggest unsolved mystery in Oregon history. Was it an
accident or murder? This is the first installment in a story with many theories.

Here is the unassuming backdrop which hides scandalous suspicions.

Barbara Aileen Cable was born on January 13,

1910, in Hillsboro, Oregon to parents George A.

Cable and Emma Lee Blanchard. In 1910 her father

worked as a commercial salesman for the wholesale

firm Hubber. She had a sister Marjorie Lee Cable or

Mrs. Frank Haine of Santa Barbara, California and

brothers Burford Cable and Blanchard C. Cable

of Eugene, Oregon. Her parents later moved to member, and Barbara Martin, Rosaria Toastmistress

Portland, Oregon where she attended Grant High member, are an example of this practice. Barbara

School. Martin likely joined the Rosaria Toastmistress Club

After graduation at nineteen, she married the fall of 1953 or early 1954.

Kenneth E. Martin on November 28, 1929, in June 17, 1954, Barbara Martin was installed as

Multnomah County. Barbara’s son Donald Kenneth Club Secretary. Toastmistress International Past

Martin was born in 1930 and three daughters: Director Mrs. Hazel Neen Loomis conducted the

Barbara Lee Martin born 1944, Virginia Ann Martin installation. Barbara served as Club Vice President

born 1946 and Susan Margret Martin born 1948. during the June 1956 to January 1957 term and was

Often, during the 1950s, when a husband joined elected Club President for the January 1957 to June

a Toastmasters club his wife joined a Toastmistress 1957 term. After serving her term as Club President

Club. Ken Martin, East Portland Toastmasters she served as Club Representative to the Portland

26 ONE COMMUNITY