Author Archives: nancyleek

Bidwell & Co. were traveling slowly southward through Cache Valley, in what is now northern Utah. Sometimes they followed the Bear River, other times they had to leave the river and “journey over hills and ravines, going to almost every … Continue reading →

“I, in company with another man (J. John), went some distance below the camp to fish in the river; fished sometime without success–concluded we could spend the afternoon more agreeably.” So begins the journal version of a story John Bidwell … Continue reading →

“Wednesday, 11th. Having traveled about 6 miles this morning the Company came to a halt–the Oregon Company were now going to leave the Bear river for Ft. Hall . . .  Many who purposed in setting out to go immediately … Continue reading →

“Sunday, 8th. Started about noon and went ten miles; scenery of the country was grand.” For the last few days Bidwell’s entries had been of this type. The two companies (Bidwell’s and De Smet’s) were still traveling together, but not … Continue reading →

“Friday, 30th. Traveled about 5 miles and encamped. Guess what took place; another family was created! Widow Gray, who was sister to Mrs. Kelsey, was married to a man who joined our Company at Fort Larimie. His right name I … Continue reading →

“Monday, 26th. Left Green river – moved off in a W. direction – distance 12 miles . . . . Land high, dry, and barren, except upon the streams, which afford grass in abundance; also black currants, which though not … Continue reading →

John Gray (sometimes spelled Grey) was hired by the Englishman W. G. Romaine as a guide for his summer tour of the American West. Gray was  half Scottish and half Iroquois, a St. Regis Mohawk, born around 1795 in upstate … Continue reading →