ISAAC FRAZEE -- HISTORIAN?
nIsaac authenticated the story of Sylvester Pattie and his band of adventurers, the first settlers to arrive in California through the Southwest.
nIsaacÕs grandmother was a friend of the Patties, and kept Sylvester PattieÕs youngest daughter during the trip.
nIsaac wrote numerous letters to the San Diego Historical Society and was responsible for a memorial plaque being erected at the Presidio.  He read this poem at the dedication ceremony.
n
Fame is a foolish thing,
An empty breath,
A vain whispering
To the Òcold dull ear of DeathÓ.
And yet, Ôtis well for us to bring
Some tardy tribute of remembering,

To mark the spot, where brave
Sylvester Pattie found
A nameless grave
In this once Òprison groundÓ
For he was first to lead a dauntless band
Of pioneers across this Southwest land.


This the ÒwelcomeÓ
California gave:
Suspicions, chains
And a prison-grave.
Still that martyr-spirit survives the years
On, and on, through our pioneers.

ÔTis well for hurrying Life
To pause, and catch a fleeting breath
After the heedless, ceaseless strife
To keep a memory-tryst with Death
To learn from her heroic dead
          To listen, and be comforted. 

To Sylvester Pattie
Show them the book and the article.