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.

Titus Hale — A Teen-Age Forty-Niner

Posted on April 1, 2021 by nancyleek

Titus Hale came to California in 1849 at the age of fifteen. He and his father, Israel Hale, traveled the overland route from May to October, arriving in California by way of the Lassen Trail. While others in their wagon … Continue reading →

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John and Annie Bidwell Video

Posted on March 26, 2021 by nancyleek

If you are interested in the Bidwells — especially if you are a 3rd or 4th grade teacher doing Butte County or California history — don’t forget that I have a read-aloud YouTube video of my book John and Annie … Continue reading →

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Dorsey the Canine Mail Carrier

Posted on March 22, 2021 by nancyleek

I concentrate on stories of northern California, and this isn’t one, but who can resist a good dog story? It’s the story of Dorsey, a dog who carried the mail in the mining camps of San Bernardino County. Dorsey was … Continue reading →

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“Now is the time for making money”

Posted on March 19, 2021 by nancyleek

Ann Eliza Brannan’s letter to her sister in September 1848 is a snapshot of life in California at the beginning of the Gold Rush. She was the wife of Sam Brannan, early pioneer and entrepreneur. They had come to San … Continue reading →

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The Torturous Road to Freedom

Posted on March 10, 2021 by nancyleek

I wanted to know more about Alvin A. Coffey than I could find online, so I sought out this book about his life: The Torturous Road to Freedom: The Life of Alvin Aaron Coffey, by Jeannette Molson and Eual D. … Continue reading →

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Stories of the Humboldt Wagon Road

Posted on February 20, 2021 by nancyleek

According to the back cover, Andy Mark’s new book promises “Thrills, Chills & Mills.” You could say that it also features Spills, ‘Villes, and even Kills. In Stories of the Humboldt Wagon Road he tells the history of the road … Continue reading →

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Alvin A. Coffey, African-American Pioneer

Posted on February 18, 2021 by nancyleek

Alvin Aaron Coffey arrived in California in the fall of 1849 in company with his master, Dr. William Bassett. Coffey was born into slavery in 1822 or 1824 in Mason County, Kentucky, the property of Margaret Cooke. Bassett was his … Continue reading →

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Meeting President Lincoln

Posted on February 12, 2021 by nancyleek

John Bidwell believed fervently in the Union cause. In 1864 he was a California delegate to the Republican National Convention in Baltimore on June 7-8, where Lincoln was renominated for president. Bidwell was in the delegation sent to the White … Continue reading →

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A Valentine Poem by the Miner Poet

Posted on February 9, 2021 by nancyleek

Here is a Valentine poem from our own Bard of Butte, first published in the Butte Record on February 28, 1863. He signs himself ALP, his nom de plume based on the initials of his name, Alexander Preston Longley,

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Gold on the Feather River — A Timeline

Posted on February 2, 2021 by nancyleek

When did John Bidwell discover gold on the Feather River? As you can see from the following timeline, he made more than one discovery, culminating in finding rich deposits at Bidwell’s Bar. It is also interesting to notice how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidwell's Bar, George McKinstry, Gold, Uncategorized | 2 Comments