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.

A Journey to the Gold Diggins

Posted on July 21, 2022 by nancyleek

Considered the first ever American comic book, Journey to the Gold Diggins, by Jeremiah Saddlebags, is a humorous look at the California Gold Rush. It was written and illustrated by J. A. and D. F. Read (James Alexander and Donald … Continue reading →

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On the Radio!

Posted on July 13, 2022 by nancyleek

My interview with Nancy Wiegman on Nancy’s Bookshelf was broadcast today on NSPR 91.7 FM. You can listen in by going to the NSPR Nancy’s Bookshelf webpage. Nancy interviewed me about my new book about black pioneer Alvin Coffey. You … Continue reading →

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The Very Last of Lola

Posted on July 7, 2022 by nancyleek

Lola kept up a steady pace of lecturing in 1857-1860. She not only toured throughout the eastern states, but had a successful tour of England and Scotland. The popularity of her lectures and books put her on a sound financial … Continue reading →

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The Last of Lola (Almost)

Posted on July 5, 2022 by nancyleek

Lola returned from her Australian tour in 1856 a changed woman. It had been a successful tour, but on the voyage back to the United States her leading man and lover, Frank Folland, fell overboard and was drowned. Or he … Continue reading →

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Ice Cream for the 4th of July

Posted on July 4, 2022 by nancyleek

On July 4th 1849, Charles Ross Parke wrote in his journal that: I determined to do something no other living man ever did in this place and on this sacred day of the year, and that was to make Ice … Continue reading →

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An Old-Fashioned Chico Fourth of July

Posted on July 3, 2022 by nancyleek

From the Chico Enterprise Weekly, here is what you could expect on July 4, 1877: The patriotic citizens of Chico, always ready to do homage to the birthday of a great and glorious Republic, made this the one hundred and … Continue reading →

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Lola and her Grizzly Bear

Posted on June 28, 2022 by nancyleek

In this contemporary picture of Lola’s cottage on Mill Street in Grass Valley, you can see a bear and a lady on the right. Lola Montez was fond of animals and kept a grizzly bear cubs in her yard. You … Continue reading →

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Lola Montez in Grass Valley

Posted on June 26, 2022 by nancyleek

From San Francisco and Sacramento, Lola took her performances to Marysville and then up into the foothills to Grass Valley and Nevada City. She drew appreciative crowds wherever she went, always to see her famed Spider Dance and sometimes in … Continue reading →

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A Little More about Lola

Posted on June 23, 2022 by nancyleek

I’ve been meaning to write more about Lola Montez in California, but first I had to do some research. I checked out a biography from the library — Lola Montez: A Life, by Bruce Seymour. This is the definitive biography, … Continue reading →

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Black Bart in Butte County

Posted on June 21, 2022 by nancyleek

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 →

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