Author Archives: nancyleek

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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.

September 12, 1841 — Mr. Kelsey’s Wagons

Sunday, 12th. Mr. Kelsey left his wagons and took his family and goods on pack horses, his oxen not being able to keep up. Distance today about 12 miles. The Kelseys have discovered what the rest of the company is … Continue reading →

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September 11, 1841

Saturday 11th. Traveled about 15 miles and came to water, course W. They are close to the Utah-Nevada border, but at this time that isn’t even a line in the sand. The spring that they found is today called Owl … Continue reading →

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September 10, 1841 — Without Water

Friday, 10th. Traveled about 15 miles and encamped without water. No grass for the animals either. This is not good. Since they had met up with their scouts Bartleson and Hopper the day before, they felt that they had no … Continue reading →

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Celebrate California Admission Day

September 9th is California Admission Day, the day that President Millard Fillmore signed the act that made California the 31st state of the Union. So even if you don’t have the day off from work, pause a moment to honor … Continue reading →

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September 9, 1841

Thursday, 9th. The part of the Company that remained yesterday went on and overtook the 2 wagons. Capt. Bartleson & Hopper returned, bringing intelligence that they had found the head of Mary’s river — distant about 5 days’ travel. Distance … Continue reading →

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September 8, 1841 — Wagons and Messes

Wednesday, 8th. Exceedingly cold; ice in our water buckets. Part of the Company remained on account of the cold — 2 wagons with owners being contrary, went on. James John says that six wagons remained at the camp and two … Continue reading →

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September 7, 1841

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 →

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September 6, 1841 — A Swap

Monday, 6th. Traveled about 7 miles. Well, that’s not much. But yesterday we were discussing horses, mules, and oxen. So to fill in, I will give you a story that Nicholas “Cheyenne” Dawson told about how he got his ride … Continue reading →

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September 5, 1841 — Horses, Mules, or Oxen?

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 →

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September 4, 1841

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 →

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