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Author Archives: nancyleek
Heat and Humbugs
I have been reading with enjoyment the Gold Rush diary of Dr. Israel Shipman Pelton Lord (his parents didn’t stint on the names for their son). For sharp observations and colorful descriptions he can’t be beat. Born in Connecticut in … Continue reading
Posted in Dr. Israel Lord
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Dame Shirley’s Fourth of July
In 1852, from her log cabin at Indian Bar on the Feather River, Dame Shirley (Louise Clappe) wrote about a 4th of July celebration across the river at Rich Bar. She had the honor of making a flag, of white … Continue reading
Posted in Dame Shirley
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Gold on the Feather River — June 24, 1848
In late May and early June of 1848 John Bidwell was prospecting for gold on the Feather River. He had already found some gold, but he hadn’t yet found rich diggings. The search continued until he struck pay dirt on … Continue reading
Posted in Gold, Indians
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Black Bart Robs Again
On this date — June 21 — in 1879 the notorious stage robber Black Bart held up a stage coach near Forbestown in Butte County. It was his first robbery in the year 1879 and his ninth robbery since he … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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A Tale for Juneteenth
Black slavery in the United States did not disappear as soon as Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, nor did it end with the defeat of the Confederacy and the end of the American Civil War … Continue reading
Posted in Black History Month, Uncategorized
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Beautiful Lake Oroville
Lake Oroville is full to the brim. If you are one of my readers living in Butte County, you already know this. If you are elsewhere I hope you will enjoy seeing the change. Yesterday I went with my husband … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Madam Pantaloons
Last month I was at the Paradise Chocolate Fest, on Authors’ Row, sharing a table and selling books with ANCHR. There I met another author and I liked the look of her book so much I bought a copy. The … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Whatever Happened to Henry Brolaski?
From time to time I’ve followed up on members of the Bidwell-Bartleson Party and what they did after they arrived in California, men like John Bartleson, Josiah Belden, Joseph Chiles, and Nicolas Dawson (many posts for him). Another member of … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Another Letter from Amos Frye
Amos Frye drove the cattle John Bidwell had purchased from Nicolaus to Rancho Chico in less than a week. Bidwell sent him off with a letter to brother Thomas on November 6, 1850, saying “Mr. Frye goes up with the … Continue reading
Posted in Amos Frye, Thomas Bidwell
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