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.

June 26, 1841

Posted on June 26, 2020 by nancyleek

Saturday, 26th. Travelled about 18 miles, and missing our road, encamped on the North fork. At noon we passed the best grass I had seen since I left the frontier of Missouri; it was like a meadow, kind of blue … Continue reading →

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June 25, 1841

Posted on June 25, 2020 by nancyleek

Friday, 25th. Journeyed over hills and dales — encamped on a stream affording plenty of grass, bitter cottonwood timber. It resembles the sweet cottonwood of Missouri, except the leaves are like those of the willow — distance 18 miles. Cottonwood … Continue reading →

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June 24, 1841

Posted on June 24, 2020 by nancyleek

Thursday, 24th. Left the Fort this morning and soon began to wind among the Black Hills. Two of our men stopped at the Fort (Simpson and Mast), but two other men with an Indian and his family joined us to … Continue reading →

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June 23, 1841

Posted on June 23, 2020 by nancyleek

Wednesday, June 23rd. Remained at the Fort; the things of Mr. Shotwell were sold at auction. You remember poor Mr. Shotwell. I suppose what little money was realized by the sale of his effects went to buy supplies for the … Continue reading →

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June 22, 1841 — Fort Laramie

Posted on June 22, 2020 by nancyleek

Tuesday, June 22nd. Eight miles this morning took us to Fort Larimie, which is on Larimie’s fork of Platte about 800 miles from the frontiers of Missouri. It is owned by the American Fur Company. There is another fort within … Continue reading →

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June 21, 1841

Posted on June 21, 2020 by nancyleek

Monday, 21st: We had an uncommonly good road today — an abundance of cottonwood timber — traveled late, having taken a stride of 27 miles. Twenty-seven miles is a lot for one day. But the “road” (more like a trail) … Continue reading →

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Black Bart in Butte County — 1879

Posted on June 20, 2020 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 would be followed by two … Continue reading →

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June 20, 1841 — The Gap and Horse Creek

Posted on June 20, 2020 by nancyleek

Sunday, 20th. Passed through the Gap — came into an extensive plain, the beautiful scenery gradually receded from view — came to a creek called Horse — passed it, reached the river again — cool and windy — having come … Continue reading →

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June 19,1841 — Scott’s Bluff

Posted on June 19, 2020 by nancyleek

We gradually receded from the river in order to pass through a gap in a range of high hills called Scott’s Bluffs. As we advanced towards these hills, the scenery of the surrounding country became beautifully grand and picturesque–-they were … Continue reading →

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June 18, 1841 — Chimney Rock

Posted on June 18, 2020 by nancyleek

Friday 18th: At about 12 o’clock today we passed another object, still more singular and interesting. It is called by the mountaineers the Chimney, from its resemblance to that object, and is composed of clay and sand so compact as … Continue reading →

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