Monthly Archives: June 2014

On the Trail with John Bidwell and Friends

When I wrote my book about John Bidwell in 2010, I had never seen the country he traversed on his journey from Missouri to California in 1841 (other than, of course, parts of California, where I live.) I got it … Continue reading

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Death on the Trail

Wednesday, June 23rd. Remained at the Fort; the things of Mr. Shotwell were sold at auction. George Shotwell was the only casualty out of the 61 members who set out with the Bidwell-Bartleson Party. His death occurred about a week … Continue reading

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Fort Laramie

Tuesday, June 22nd. Eight miles this morning took us to Fort Larimie, which is on Larimie’s fork of Platte about 800 miles from the frontiers of Missouri. It is owned by the American Fur Company. . . . The Black … Continue reading

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Scott’s Bluff, part 2

As the Bidwell-Bartleson Party approached Scott’s Bluff, they faced a problem that they hadn’t encountered yet on their journey–a barrier. Pioneer companies followed rivers, but they didn’t cross them any more than they had to, because crossing a river was … Continue reading

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Scott’s Bluff

One day’s journey west of Chimney Rock the emigrants came to Scott’s Bluff, a rock formation named for Hiram Scott, a wounded fur trapper left behind to die by his companions in 1828. The fantastical shapes of the rocks were … Continue reading

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Bidwell at Chimney Rock

In 1841 John Bidwell was traveling across the “dull and monotonous” Great Plains when finally the landscape began to change. On June 17th the party spotted castle-like Courthouse Rock, and on the 18th they came to Chimney Rock, a landmark … Continue reading

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On the Trail with John Bidwell

I am on vacation in the Great American West and starting tomorrow I’ll be following in the footsteps of John Bidwell and countless other pioneers who trekked across the Plains. I saw these bison near the road today; here is … Continue reading

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