Author Archives: nancyleek

I had a good time speaking to the Chico Friends of the Library last night. I have been a member for many years, and always have enjoyed hearing the speaker at the annual meeting—I remember Steve Brown, Roger Aylworth, and … Continue reading →

Camped by the Kansas River, John Bidwell and his companions waited to see who else would show up. “Every day for a week or more wagons arrived with the same object in view (going to California.) At last we took … Continue reading →

“When May came I was the only man that was ready to go out of all who signed the pledge. In Weston however there was a man who had never signed the pledge, but who had said from the beginning … Continue reading →

“It was understood that every one should have not less than a barrel of flour with sugar and so forth to suit; but I laid in one hundred pounds more flour than the usual quantity, besides other things. This I … Continue reading →

John Bidwell talked to anyone who had knowledge of travel in Indian Territory. One of the things he needed to know was what kind of gun to take. There was no more important piece of equipment than a gun. “My … Continue reading →

What were the essentials for a journey to a new country, a journey that might take up to six months far away from towns, stores, or farms? First of all, a man needed information, and there was no public library … Continue reading →

“As the time approached I became very anxious about the expedition but supposed a few would go with me. Finally I could not find a single member of the company that was sure to go.  I went forward with my … Continue reading →

Is it any wonder that John Bidwell wanted to stay when he saw country like this on his first journey through Northern California in 1843?