Author Archives: nancyleek

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.

Jennie Carter on Women’s Art

Posted on February 19, 2023 by nancyleek

Letter from Nevada County. Mud Hill, May 3, 1868 Mr. Editor:– All women admire the beautiful. Here lies a broad field for woman’s talent–painting, sculpting, music, all the fine arts. Here her intuitive faculties can have full play; she can … Continue reading →

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More from Jennie Carter, Black California Journalist

Posted on February 17, 2023 by nancyleek

Some time ago I wrote about Jennie Carter, who lived in Nevada City and wrote letters and columns for the Elevator (San Francisco) newspaper. At the time I didn’t have a book about her, but now I do, and I … Continue reading →

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Free Museum Weekend!

Posted on February 16, 2023 by nancyleek

February 25th and 26th is Free Museum Weekend in Butte County, with more events and activities than anyone could possibly fit into one weekend. All participating museums, galleries, and cultural centers will offer free admission from 10am-4pm all weekend, and … Continue reading →

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A Valentine from the Bard of Butte

Posted on February 14, 2023 by nancyleek

Our very own Bard of Butte, poet Pres Longley, penned this valentine one hundred and sixty years ago. It appeared in the Weekly Butte Record on February 28, 1863, and undoubtedly touched many a lonely miner’s heart. Lines to Etna … Continue reading →

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Lucy and Freedom

Posted on February 13, 2023 by nancyleek

Black history in California has many tales to tell of slavery and freedom. Here is just one, the story of a girl named Lucy, who proved her freedom in spite of an attempt to re-enslave her. In the same issue … Continue reading →

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President Lincoln and California

Posted on February 12, 2023 by nancyleek

Happy Birthday to President Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, 1809. Although he never visited California, he was very aware of its importance in the Union and hoped one day to see it for himself. To his life-long friend Charles … Continue reading →

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A Black Vaquero in Butte County

Posted on February 1, 2023 by nancyleek

Let’s begin Black History Month with a little item from early days on Rancho Chico. What kind of men did John Bidwell hire to work on Rancho Chico? In 1849 good reliable men were hard to come by — most … Continue reading →

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A Good-Natured Hint About California

Posted on January 26, 2023 by nancyleek

I have written twice before about the California Gold Rush as seen in comic books of the time, here and here. Here’s another one by an English artist: A Goodnatured Hint about California. The motto on the cover says: “Here … Continue reading →

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Chickens at Rancho Chico

Posted on January 24, 2023 by nancyleek

All this talk about the price of eggs reminded me of this letter, written by one of John Bidwell’s employees in 1851. Edward Shackelford Darlington, who was only 19 or 20, can’t resist spoofing the etiquette of 19th century letters. … Continue reading →

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Happy Gold Discovery Day!

Posted on January 24, 2023 by nancyleek

John Sutter needed lumber. He was always building — on his fort, around the fort, up at his farm. He also planned to sell lumber to the settlers who were coming into California in increasing numbers. He needed a sawmill. … Continue reading →

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