Monthly Archives: March 2020

Bidwell Cartoon

Posted on March 30, 2020 by nancyleek

John Bidwell is struggling to carry the burden of two nominations for governor of California in this cartoon by Charles W. Saalburg from The Wasp, August 23, 1890. Most of the political cartoons that appeared in the Wasp over one … Continue reading →

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The Wasp — California vs. Florida

Posted on March 28, 2020 by nancyleek

Here is another cartoon showing “California,” as she is depicted on the State Seal. The Wasp didn’t always explain its cartoons, but this seems to have reference to a short item in the paper: Word comes from Chicago that California … Continue reading →

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The Wasp

Posted on March 27, 2020 by nancyleek

Looking for an entertaining and historical way to spend a few hours? Time will fly while you peruse the pages of The Wasp, San Francisco’s premier satiric periodical, digitized by the California State Library and available online at the Internet … Continue reading →

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Thomas Bidwell — The Rest of the Story

Posted on March 22, 2020 by nancyleek

Thomas Bidwell kept up his correspondence with his brother, John Bidwell, from St. John’s College through 1854. Some of the letters were written in Spanish, as an exercise in improving his language skills. He wasn’t quite sure what to do … Continue reading →

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Table Mountain 2020

Posted on March 20, 2020 by nancyleek

My daughter, granddaughter, and I made our annual pilgrimage to Table Mountain today to look at the wildflowers. We knew it wouldn’t be the best year for them — no rain in January and February made the display kind of … Continue reading →

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Thomas Bidwell and Amos Frye

Posted on March 19, 2020 by nancyleek

Thomas Bidwell, studying at St. John’s College in New York, says he wrote often to his brother John, but got few letters in return. Unfortunately, what few letters John Bidwell did write have been lost, so all the news we … Continue reading →

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Brother Tom Goes East

Posted on March 17, 2020 by nancyleek

Thomas Bidwell was only in California about six months. In the Spring of 1850 he decided that he wanted to return to college and resume his studies at St. John’s College in New York, now Fordham University. Here are two … Continue reading →

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Of Cattle and Mules and Potter and Cats!

Posted on March 15, 2020 by nancyleek

An “uncertain state of affairs” on Rancho Chico — the price of beef is low, old Mr. Potter is sick and near death, too many of the former employees were nothing but a “gang of loafers and idlers,” the cooking … Continue reading →

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Another Brother to Brother Letter

Posted on March 14, 2020 by nancyleek

Here is another letter from Thomas Bidwell to his brother. John Bidwell was still in San Francisco, recuperating from an illness. Thomas says he has been sick too — probably both of them suffered from malaria contracted while crossing the … Continue reading →

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News from Rancho Chico 1850

Posted on March 13, 2020 by nancyleek

John Bidwell returned from the East Coast on October 16, 1850, accompanied by his brother Thomas, his old trail mate Amos Frye, and the Maidu boy, Rafael.  He must have gone as soon as possible to Rancho Chico to see … Continue reading →

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