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.

William B. Lorton the the Goldfields

Posted on September 14, 2021 by nancyleek

It’s a shame that William B. Lorton’s California journals are lost. He was such a lively and candid writer — I am sure his tales of adventures in the goldfields would be a delight to read. Unfortunately they are lost … Continue reading →

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William B. Lorton in Salt Lake City

Posted on September 12, 2021 by nancyleek

William B. Lorton arrived at the Mormon community in the Salt Lake Valley on August 8, 1849. To visit Salt Lake City was a deviation from the Oregon-California Trail, but one that many took in order to trade goods. The … Continue reading →

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William Lorton and the “Stampede Company”

Posted on September 10, 2021 by nancyleek

William Lorton experienced more than his share of stampedes while on the overland trail. Difficulties with cattle continued to dog his company. On July 19th, while traveling along the Sweetwater river, they experienced three stampedes in one day. At noon … Continue reading →

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Happy Admission Day!

Posted on September 9, 2021 by nancyleek

Don’t let September 9th go by without a salute to California, the 31st state of the Union. To read about John Bidwell’s participation in the admission of California, both in Washington D.C. and San Francisco, see these posts: Bidwell’s Admission … Continue reading →

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Stampede! — William Lorton’s Journal

Posted on September 2, 2021 by nancyleek

William Lorton was a frequent witness of one of the most dangerous events on the prairie — a stampede. Anything could set the cattle off — a carcass, or lightning, or a dog barking — and sometimes it seemed like … Continue reading →

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William B. Lorton on the Trail

Posted on August 31, 2021 by nancyleek

The eminent historian of the American West, Dale Morgan, called The diary of William B. Lorton “the finest Forty-niner diary I have ever laid eyes on.” Having known Dale Morgan many, many, many years ago when I was a student … Continue reading →

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The “Most Unique” Adventures of John Scott, Black Pioneer

Posted on August 25, 2021 by nancyleek

The obituary of John Scott, black pioneer of Tehama County, reads like an adventure novel. I wish I could find more information about him. So far the only two sources are his obituary in the Red Bluff Daily News (May … Continue reading →

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The First Overland Letter to California

Posted on August 20, 2021 by nancyleek

I thought I knew a lot about the 1841 Bidwell-Bartleson Party — the first group of emigrants to leave the United States on the overland trail. But I didn’t know about the letter carried by Elias Barnett to John Marsh, … Continue reading →

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More Vegetables by Stage

Posted on August 12, 2021 by nancyleek

When Mrs. B.M. Evoy asked John Bidwell to supply her with fresh vegetables for her boarding house (See “Send a Basket by the Stage”), she wasn’t the only one. As she said in her letter, she heard about this source … Continue reading →

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Mrs. Evoy Leaves Briggsville

Posted on August 4, 2021 by nancyleek

Two months after the conviction of Col. John H. Harper for the theft of $1800 in gold from Mrs. Bridget Evoy, she decided to sell the California House in Briggsville. What motivated her to give up running (as it says … Continue reading →

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