Author Archives: nancyleek

Tuesday, 7th. Traveled about 7 miles; antelope appeared to be plenty. James John has a little more to say about this day: On the 7th we traveled 6 miles and encamped at the foot of a mountain near a small … Continue reading →

Sunday, 5th. Grass having become scarce, we concluded to move on a little every day to meet Capt. B[artleson] & H[opper]. Traveled about 6 miles and encamped by a beautiful cedar grove. After a week at Tenmile Spring, the company … Continue reading →

Saturday, 4th. Bought a few serviceberries of the Indians. I have written about serviceberries before. They would have been a welcome addition, but probably didn’t satisfy the appetites of thirty men, plus a woman and child. Bidwell would later write … Continue reading →

Friday, 3rd. Four or 5 Indians came to camp — bought three horses of them. The previous Saturday they had gone looking for Indians who would sell them horses, but with no success. Now the Indians have the horses and … Continue reading →

Thursday, 2nd. Idle in camp. What does “idle in camp” mean? Maybe a few of the thirty men are out hunting, but they haven’t been having any success with that. The rest are perhaps discussing their situation, repairing harness or … Continue reading →

September, Wednesday, 1st. An ox killed for beef. This is the first time that John Bidwell records killing one of the oxen for meat. It’s another ominous sign — it means that hunting is poor and their other food has … Continue reading →

Tuesday, 31st. No success hunting. “No success hunting” is not good. They have probably used up most of the supplies that they brought with them — flour, beans, bacon. They have to live off the land, dependent on the food … Continue reading →

Monday, 30th. Nothing of importance occurred. Since the company is staying put at the spring, while Bartleson and Hopper scout ahead for Mary’s River, there is not much to report. However, there are some things we can say about our … Continue reading →

Sunday 29th. Capt. Bartleson with C. Hopper started to explore the route to the head of Mary’s river, expecting to be absent 8 or 9 days — the Company to await here his return. All that the Bidwell-Bartleson Party knew … Continue reading →