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.

Chinese-American History in Chico

Posted on May 11, 2015 by nancyleek

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is giving thematic tours on the Chinese in California during the month of May. If you are interested, check out the dates and times here.  I took the tour last Saturday and came away with … Continue reading →

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Miss Crosby’s Blue Umbrella

Posted on April 13, 2015 by nancyleek

On September 9, 1850, John Bidwell was present when President Millard Fillmore signed the bill, passed by the Senate and the House, that made California the 31st state of the Union. Bidwell had been in Washington since May, advancing the … Continue reading →

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A Little Map of Chico

Posted on March 31, 2015 by nancyleek

July 5th, 1867: You desire to know where is my home “in town or country?” I live not in but adjacent to the town of Chico — as follows: So wrote John to Annie after he returned from Washington to … Continue reading →

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California Diversity Goes a Long Way Back

Posted on March 29, 2015 by nancyleek

One more excerpt from John Bidwell’s letter to Miss E. Boyd: Here the sun’s rays come blistering down the deep and narrow gorge where seats together all the nations of the earth. . . . There’s nothing here to please … Continue reading →

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Summer in California

Posted on March 26, 2015 by nancyleek

After telling Miss Boyd about the beauties of a California spring, John Bidwell went on to describe the changes of summer. . . . hold now — let time speed but one month. The fragrant and beautiful flowers are dead, … Continue reading →

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John Bidwell Waxes Poetical in the Spring

Posted on March 22, 2015 by nancyleek

In 1851 John Bidwell wrote to a young lady of his acquaintance, “My Friend Miss E. Boyd,” describing his life in the goldfields of California. Here is his description of springtime in the Central Valley: For miles and hundreds of … Continue reading →

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Bidwell Campaign Song

Posted on March 5, 2015 by nancyleek

As long as we are on the topic of political campaign songs, here’s another one. This is from Bidwell’s run for president on the Prohibition Party ticket in 1892. Bidwell’s vice-presidential running mate was James B. Cranfill of Texas. This … Continue reading →

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“The Farmer of Chico” in Politics

Posted on February 28, 2015 by nancyleek

Back in the day when political campaign songs were numerous and popular, the following song appeared in the Sacramento Bee on August 4, 1875. It is not complimentary to John Bidwell. In 1875 Bidwell was the candidate for governor of … Continue reading →

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Amethyst and Adobe

Posted on February 23, 2015 by nancyleek

What do amethysts and adobe bricks have in common? A tale told by John Bidwell about Sutter’s Fort and a treasure thrown in the dust. In January 1892 John and Annie Bidwell visited old Sutter’s Fort, which by then was … Continue reading →

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A Valentine for Annie

Posted on February 13, 2015 by nancyleek

To: Miss Annie Kennedy               February 14, 1866 A  Annie is a charming girl, an editress, a writer N  Nor could you find in all the world a better nor a brighter N  Now if fair Annie would be mine, take … Continue reading →

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