Letter to Kenneth Smith, Stanford Alumni Association, regarding the Stanford Crew Team of 1912 to 1918

METEROLOGICAL AND OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS AUTOMOBILE GOGGLES, HYDROMETER SYRINGES MIRRORS AND NOVELTIES

AMERICAN THERMO-WARE COMPANY, INC. IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS 16 WARREN STREET NEW YORK

HERBERT S. MARSHUTZ

See also

Herbert Marschutz Photo album

[ink stamp: DEC 26 1941]

December 24, 1941.

Mr. Kenneth Smith, Editor Stanford Alumni Review, Stanford University, California

Dear Mr. Smith:

In regard to your letter of November 21st, on Stanford's crew achievements of a quarter of a century ago, I gather from your letter that you would prefer to write the thing yourself, a la Time Magazine. So, here are a few facts and recollections.

No sport at Stanford has risen to greater heights and sunk to more ignominious low than crew. The all-time low came, when in 1912, the Cardinal ventured to send a representative shell to the famous four-mile classic on the Hudson at Poughkeepsie, only to finish 6th, in tail position, practically a full minute behind the leading Cornell boat. Three years later, on June 28th, 1915, the most successful of all Stanford rowing aggregations finished second to Cornell, only a second in time and the length of an oar separating the Cardinal boat from victory over the powerful rowers from the shores of LakeCayuga from whence had come 14 annual winners in 20 years of Poughkeepsie regattas. Stanford's finish, over-coming a two-length lead at the half-way mark, made headlines and focused the eyesof [insert] the [/insert] eastern sporting world on western athletics, which hitherto had not been respected. Stanford's bad performance on the Hudson in 1912 was now forgotten.

Increased interest in the sport and the coaching of the late Frank L. Guerena '11 were responsible for Stanford's sudden rise to an honored position in the rowing world. Frank Guerena had been varsity coxswain for Cardinal crews, and was one of the best loved coaches of his day. Standing but 5 feet 4 inches and weighing hardly over a hundred pounds, "Husky" Guerena was every inch an ideal athletic leader.

Ten successive years of victory over California (in addition to two defeats of Washington in 1917) climaxed 15 years of inter-collegiate rowing competition. But a series of bad breaks omened the closing chapters of crew at Stanford. Finances were ever a problem as the sport brought no revenue. Even at Poughkeepsie, lack of funds prevented the shipment home of the Cardinal shell. More than that, the alloted athletic board's funds had run out, expenses exceeding estimates, and only by pooling their private resources were the crewmen able to pay their board bill and incidental expenses homeward.

Trouble on the bay off [--of--] Redwood city - shallow water, mud fills etc., bobbed up continuously. Lagunita proved an unhappy substitute even for the smaller 4-seated training boat. And the enlistment of men in the service in 1917-18 had reduced available material.

[notation left margin: illegible, Patt?]

Personnel of the Varsity cre at Poughkeepsie, 1915. Les. Rogers (sub for I. M. Hulsman 16'), Fred N. Worth 16', W. A. (Baldy) Green '15, G. A. Jacomini (Capt.) '15, W. H. Bloeser, '15, Chic H. Orme, A. H. Mc Euen, Rix Maurer (Stroke), John H. Goodman, '16, coxswain, F. L. Guerena '11, Coach.

I can send a copy of the following photos:

1. Long shot of crew passing under Poughkeepsie bridge (not much detail); 2. Long shot of finish of race (no detail); 3. Close-up of John Casper Branner at Poughkeepsie congratulating Coach Guerena: (I am not sure of identity, it may be another professor). 4. Fairly clear close-up of crew before the race; 5. Close-up of the seven-man Stanford rooting section (big bridge in background); 6. Very clear close-up of the 1916 Varsity Crew (not quite same personnel as at Poughkeepsie (very clear); 7. Also clear close-up of this crew on the water at Oakland estuary just prior to race with U. C.; 8. Close-up of Coach Guerena.

Please select one or more as I must have copies made (negatives lost or prints slightly faded by ravages of time).

If you should want more details of the Poughkeepsie race, can make a partial transcript of my newspaper account which tells progress of the race, stroke count, public reaction etc. Let me hear from you soon.

With Greetings of the Season, I remain

Sincerely yours, Herbert Marshutz

Herbert S. Marshutz.

[preprinted] STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

[image small B&W photo print, archways at Stanford] Stanford University, California [/preprinted]

December 29, 1941

Mr. Herbert S. Marshutz 418 West Sixth Street, Los Angeles, California

Dear Mr. Marshutz:

Thank you for your letter of the 24th which gave me needed information about Stanford's famous crews.

As to the pictures: I think the shot of the crew before the Poughkeepsie race, the close-up of the seven-man rooting section, and the photo of Coach Frank Guerena would reproduce to better advantage than the others. If there is any added expense in letting me have these photos for use in the Review, please let me know.

Once again, please let me thank you for your constructive interest in the Review. I am looking forward to receiving the pictures.

Best regards,

Kenneth Smith

Kenneth Smith Editor