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.
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