Author Archives: nancyleek

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About nancyleek

Nancy is a retired librarian who lives in Chico, California. She is the author of John Bidwell: The Adventurous Life of a California Pioneer.

Manjiro in California

Posted on October 7, 2015 by nancyleek

Captain William Whitfield and his wife took Manjiro in, treated him like a son, and sent him to school, where he excelled. Then when he was nineteen years old, Manjiro went to sea once again aboard an American whaling ship. … Continue reading →

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A Japanese Man in the Gold Rush

Posted on October 6, 2015 by nancyleek

In May 1850 a young man stepped off a ship in San Francisco. Nothing remarkable there. Thousands of young men were arriving in San Francisco on their way to the goldfields. Like the others, this young man had come to … Continue reading →

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A Picture Book for John and Annie

Posted on October 1, 2015 by nancyleek

Coming soon! A picture book biography of John and Annie Bidwell for young readers. I want to show you some samples pages. Ever since I did my book on John Bidwell in 2010, teachers have asked me for an easier … Continue reading →

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Chico in the 1850s

Posted on September 18, 2015 by nancyleek

Continuing the recollections of D. F. Crowder. The following appeared in the Chico Enterprise for December 27, 1917. Crowder came to Chico in 1856, at the age of twelve, so he saw it before it was even a town. Bidwell … Continue reading →

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Stagecoach Robberies in Butte County

Posted on September 12, 2015 by nancyleek

D.F. Crowder’s memories of early days in Chico continued: Soon after I came here [in 1856] I remember hearing the men folks tell about a robbery just across Butte creek, about six miles south of here — at the first … Continue reading →

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Joe Finnicum, the Chico Stage Driver

Posted on September 10, 2015 by nancyleek

Pres Longley wrote a poetical tribute to Joe Finnicum, a local stage driver. The poem appeared in the Chico Enterprise, on December 23, 1892. JOE FINNICUM IN POETRY Joe Finnicum, the Jehu, Who drives upon the grade, From Chico up … Continue reading →

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Bidwell’s Admission Day

Posted on September 7, 2015 by nancyleek

In September 1889 John Bidwell wrote to his friend E. Nelson Blake: Your memory is good — true, 39 years ago we brought the news of California’s admission into the Union. Where are those who were our fellow passengers? Except … Continue reading →

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Stage Drivers: The Beaus of the Road

Posted on September 5, 2015 by nancyleek

More of the recollections of D. F. Crowder, from “The Eventful Yesterdays: The Story of Early Chico,” Chico Enterprise, January 1, 1918. The big event of the day in ’56 at the Bidwell Rancho was the arrival of the stage … Continue reading →

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The Sight of a Pretty Woman

Posted on August 28, 2015 by nancyleek

A story told by D. F. Crowder in the Chico Enterprise, December 29, 1917— Of women in those days there were very few. In fact, women were somewhat of a curiosity. Men would go many miles just to look at … Continue reading →

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Casaba Melons

Posted on August 23, 2015 by nancyleek

I found in the California State Library the original letters that accompanied the shipment of melon seeds to John Bidwell. There are two letters, one form letter addressed to John Kennedy (Annie’s brother) and a hand-written one to General Bidwell. … Continue reading →

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