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.

What Ever Became of John Bartleson?

Posted on November 9, 2013 by nancyleek

The first emigrant train to California has been called the Bartleson Party, the Bartleson-Bidwell Party, and the Bidwell-Bartleson Party, after its captain, John Bartleson, and its most prominent member, John Bidwell. Bidwell rose to fame and influence in California, but … Continue reading →

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What Next?

Posted on November 2, 2013 by nancyleek

So now we have gotten John Bidwell to California in November of 1841. On the 1st they arrived on the Central Valley floor, where they found an abundance of game–good eating at last!–and by November 4th the company was at … Continue reading →

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California At Last!

Posted on November 1, 2013 by nancyleek

From John Bidwell’s trail journal: November. Monday, 1st. The Company tarried to kill game; an abundance of wild fowl and 13 deer and antelopes were brought in. My breakfast, this morning, formed a striking contrast with that of yesterday which … Continue reading →

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Almost There! (But They Don’t Know It)

Posted on October 29, 2013 by nancyleek

From John Bidwell’s trail journal: Friday, 29th. Last night, the Indians stole a couple of our horses. About noon we passed along by several huts, but they were deserted as soon as we come in sight, the Indians running in … Continue reading →

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Still Stuck in the Sierras

Posted on October 28, 2013 by nancyleek

From John Bidwell’s trail journal: Thursday, 28th. Surely no horses nor mules with less experience than ours could have descended the difficult steeps and defiles which we encountered in this day’s journey. Even as it was, several horses and mules … Continue reading →

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October 25-26, 1841

Posted on October 25, 2013 by nancyleek

“Monday, 25th. Went about 6 miles and found it impossible to proceed. Went back about 2 miles and encamped — dug holes in the ground to deposit such things as we could dispense with. Did not do it, discovering the … Continue reading →

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Wandering around the Sierras

Posted on October 25, 2013 by nancyleek

It was getting late in October, the Bidwell-Bartleson Party had run out of food, and they were still making their way down the canyons of the western side of the Sierra Nevada. On October 23, 1841, John Bidwell set off … Continue reading →

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Bidwell’s Address to the Society of California Pioneers

Posted on October 22, 2013 by nancyleek

One of my favorite sources for information on John Bidwell is his 1897 address to the Society of California Pioneers. The Society was limited to those who had come to California before the end of 1849. Plenty of 49er’s joined, … Continue reading →

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Cresting the Sierras

Posted on October 19, 2013 by nancyleek

The Bidwell-Bartleson Party climbed up narrow canyons on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, following streams and seeking grass for their mounts. Some were on horses or mules, others were on foot. On October 18th they crested the mountains, … Continue reading →

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October 14, 1841

Posted on October 14, 2013 by nancyleek

I’ll be signing books at the Chico Library Fall Festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If anyone would like a copy of either John Bidwell or my new book The Miner Poet, or if you just want … Continue reading →

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