In Memory

Henry Garnsey Lee - Class Of 1932

Heroes of San Marino
Henry G. Lee

San Marino has been the home of many brave
idividuals. Lieutenant Henry G. Lee, 1st Lt., Infantry,
Jnited Stales Army was one of them but of truly hx
stature. Born in 1914, graduated from South Pasadena-
San Marino High School in 1932 and from Pomona
College in 1937, Lee shipped out to the Philippines in
June 19^2, six months before Pearl Harbor.
In early letters to his parents at 1155 Winston Ave.
Lee correctly predicted that war with Japan was
inevitable, and that troops in the Philippines would be
sacrificed in a delaying tactic to the Japanese war
machine. In a letter written during the last days before
the surrender of Bataan, he wrote that he was—"proud to
be part of the fight being made"—and—"would not, even
if it were possible, leave here"—and that he had—
?«»...ti.. „_,t :.:...„h.. „, . „a fu:„\ <•„„.. „r ,u«rU»
Lee was one of the Army that survived the infamous
Death March of 1942. Survival in Cabanatuan Prison
Camp for 3 long years on a starvation diet supplemented
by a stray cat and an occasional fish or frog speared in
the jungle failed to blunt Lee's Spirit. With intelligence
and sensitivity, he created a series of poems of great
poignancy and beauty memorializing his experiences.
The poems were written in two brown, composition
notebooks. He learned late in 1944 that he was to be
transported to a camp in Japan. Wrapping the notebooks
in canvas, he buried them beneath his prison hut.
In mid-December 1944, the ship on which he was
packed with 1,600 other prisoners was sunk in Subie Bay
To all the members of the San Marino Historical
Society for your gifts, contributions, historical materials,
and volunteers we are most appreciative.
The volunteers are going forward with genuine
enthusiasm. This organization is YOUR Society, please
feel free to become involved and use it.
Call us at 568-0119. Always leave your name and
telephone number that we may be in touch.
Sincerely,
Lillian Campbell
Stoneman School Murals
Members of the historical Society are awaiting the
arrival of preservationist Nathan Zakhcim. 11c will restore
ÜDC small panel of the. Stoneman School mural. Painted
sixty-five years ago by artist Lucile Lloyd, it has been
covered with beige paint for many years.
We are using $1,500 of Society funds to begin the
restoration. It is hoped that once seen, the small panel
will generate interest and donations so we may proceed
with the rest of the panels. $20,000 is needed to
completely restore die work.
We hope it will eventually bring pleasure and pride
to our community and enjoyment to the handicapped
students at Stoneman School

An Architect
Who Helped Build San Marino
Tidzodore "Ted" Pletsch
On July 28, 1993, an interview was conducted with
Theodore "Ted" Pletsch, (rhymes with "fleich"). He
proved to be a most gracious gentleman. Although
amazingly vigorous at 92 years of age, he no longer
hikes 10 miles in the San Gabriel Mountains as he did
every Saturday when he was in his 80's.
Theodore "led Pletsch
Ted was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa in 1901, the son of
"a ne'er-do-well who sometimes sold stocks or
insurance". He arrived in Pasadena with his family when
he was 11 years old. In 1920 he graduated from
Pasadena High School.
In 1925 Pletsch earned his Bachelor Degree from
USC's School of Architecture. He and his wife, Amy, were
married in 1929. They had a son, Daniel, who is a
surgeon, and a daughter, Elizabeth, a teacher. Amy died
in 1979 just after their 50th wedding anniversary.
An article appeared in the October 18. 1935 San
Marino Tribune with the caption, "The San Marino Tribune
Plans to Move to New Home Before Christmas". The article
stated that a choice location had been secured "about a
hundred feet cast of City Hall, on the same side of the
street, facing the Huntington Library and Art Gallery". The
structure was to be of English architecture with red shingle
tile roofing, and "will be a credit to the—City Beautiful".
The Foss Construction Company of Pasadena are the
contractors, and Theodore Pletsch is the architect." Work
was expected to begin within the next week, and the
building was to be completed before Christmas
Pletsch designed over 1,300 building and houses in
the Southland, the last in 1981. Of the 500 custom homes
he designed, 300 were in San Marino. Available space
does no permit us to list them all, but 20 were located on
Lornbardy Road. Many more were on Rosalind, Orlando,
Virginia, Oak Grove and other prestigious locations. The
San Marino Historical Society would appreciate being
advised of the addresses of any of the houses designed
by Theodore Pletsch to complete the records maintained
in its files.
Recent Acquisitions
The San Marino Historical Society welcomes this
opportunity i gratitude to:
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell J. Milias, for an IBM
computer, complete with printer and word proci
program.
Mildred Harrigan, for a book "A Century of
KxccIIcncc in Education-Romona Convent 1889-1989"
Andrew I la Hum, for books on local history.
Carolyn Crain and the San Marino
Library, for a computer, local memorabilia, and a
book-"Pasadena, Its Early Years".
California-American Water Company, for
a monetary contribution.
Mrs. Robert Sandblom, Bcllcvue, Washington,
for historical books.
Mr. and Mrs. Don Cotton for a monetary
contribution.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schweitzer, for a
monetary contribution.
Irene Agajanian, Sussan Garrett, Keeler-
Dilbeck, Cost of City I lall exhibit.
Fred Keeler, 40 years of Bliss Keeler Index Files
of the City
t
THE GRAPEVINE is published by the
San Marino Historical Society,
Box 80222, San Marino, CA 91108
1

Michael While Adobe
Michael White Adobe
During the last few months three important
refurbishing projects have been completed at the Michael
While Adobe.
It has been a known fact that a water drainage
problem existed at the Adobe, and that the problem
would cause major damage to the Adobe foundation and
walls if steps were not taken to improve the problem. Mr.
Lawrence Winans, an Architectural Restoration
Contractor, recommended a gravel water collection bed
with perforated drain pipes and a solid discharge line be
installed. This line was to be connected to an existing
school drainage system. The project's total cost was
$2,400.00.
It became evident that while the drainage
connection ditch was dug and open it would be
desirable to make an underground electrical and
telephone line hook-up. This was accomplished for an
additional charge of $350.00.
After patching the roof of the Adobe last year, a
new roof was installed by the Campagna Roofing
Company. A medium shake was used which should
provide shelter for many years. Donations from San
Marino Historical Society Members and from the
community paid for the cast amounting to $4,600.00.
The San Marina Historical Society wishes to
thank the School District for their patience and help in
accomplishing these projects.
PPY BIRTHDAY SAX MARINO
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITOR
ASSOCIATE
EDITORS
Mitchell Gould
Gary Fleming
Jean linier
Alexander McGilvray
Marilyn Peck
Peggy Winkler
SAN MARINO HISTORICAL
SOCIETY OFFICERS
Lillian Campbell
President
Membership Katy Benton
Viee-Presi dent
Programs Marilyn Peek
Treasurer
Secretary
Ed Fryer
Emilie Ferry
Parliamentarian-
Curator Gary Fleming
Heroes of San Marino
Henry G. Lee
   San Marino has been the home of many brave idividuals. Lieutenant Henry G. Lee, 1st Lt., Infantry United States Army was one of them but of truly heroic stature. Born in 1914, graduated from South Pasadena-San Marino High School in 1932 and from Pomona College in 1937, Lee shipped out to the Philippines in June 1941, six months before Pearl Harbor.
   In early letters to his parents at 1155 Winston Ave. Lee correctly predicted that war with Japan was inevitable, and that troops in the Philippines would be sacrificed in a delaying tactic to the Japanese war machine. In a letter written during the last days before the surrender of Bataan, he wrote that he was—"proud to be part of the fight being made"—and—"would not, even if it were possible, leave here"—and that he had "mentally and spiritually conquered (his) fear of death."
   Lee was one of the Army that survived the infamous Death March of 1942. Survival in Cabanatuan PrisonCamp for 3 long years on a starvation diet supplemented by a stray cat and an occasional fish or frog speared in the jungle failed to blunt Lee's Spirit. With intelligence and sensitivity, he created a series of poems of great poignancy and beauty memorializing his experiences.The poems were written in two brown, composition notebooks. He learned late in 1944 that he was to be transported to a camp in Japan. Wrapping the notebooks in canvas, he buried them beneath his prison hut.
   In mid-December 1944, the ship on which he was packed with 1,600 other prisoners was sunk in Subie Bay by American planes. Surviving this catastrophe, he was loaded aboard a second ship which reached Takao Bay, Formosa. Again it was bombed and sunk by American planes. This second sinking tragically ended the life of Henry G. Lee, poet, soldier, patriot. It is bitter irony that less than two months later, Cabanaluan Camp was liberated. Informed by survivors that written materials were hidden under the hut, the liberators recovered the poems and sent them to his parents in San Marino. A book, "Nothing But Praise", published first in 1945 and reissued in 1985, contains the poems as well as a series of letters he wrote to his parents. Copies of the book are available at the PacificAsia Museum in Pasadena.