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.

May 28, 1841

Posted on May 28, 2020 by nancyleek

Friday, 28th: Started about sunrise, travelled about 5 miles and stopped to take breakfast. The heat was oppressive and we were compelled to go 20 miles farther before we came to either wood or water. The stream on which we … Continue reading →

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May 27, 1841

Posted on May 27, 2020 by nancyleek

Thursday, 27th: Started late, being detained at repairing the waggons. The day was warm, but the evening mild and pleasant. Encamped in a commodious valley, well-watered by a beautiful little stream which glided smoothly through the scattering grove, come about … Continue reading →

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May 26, 1841

Posted on May 26, 2020 by nancyleek

Wednesday, 26th. Two wagons were broke today; about a dozen Pawnees came to our camp, stopped to repair the wagons, having come about 15 miles. A deer was brought in by C. Hopper. Charles Hopper was a native or North … Continue reading →

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May 25, 1841

Posted on May 25, 2020 by nancyleek

Passed the stream without much trouble and made a stretch of about 20 miles when we encamped on the border of a beautiful forest where we found plenty of grass and water. The country over which we passed was similar … Continue reading →

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May 24, 1841

Posted on May 24, 2020 by nancyleek

Monday, 24th. Travelled about 13 miles today over rolling prairies and arrived at the Big Vermillion, a branch of the Kanzas. Here we were obliged to stop, the water being so high as to render it impossible to cross the … Continue reading →

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May 23, 1841

Posted on May 23, 2020 by nancyleek

Sunday, May 23rd: All the oxen were gone this morning excepting nine. There was considerable complaint among the company, some saying at this slow rate of traveling we would have to winter among the Black Hills, and eat our mules … Continue reading →

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May 22, 1841

Posted on May 22, 2020 by nancyleek

Saturday, 22nd. Started at six o’clock this morning, traveled about 18 miles, high rolling prairie, encamped on a small stream, shaded by a few willows. That was an average day. 18 miles was a decent distance. Just moving along over … Continue reading →

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May 21, 1841

Posted on May 21, 2020 by nancyleek

Friday, 21st. Our oxen left us last night, and it was 9 o’clock before we were all ready to start, passed a considerable stream called Vermillion, a branch of the Kanzas. On its banks were finer timber than we had … Continue reading →

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May 20, 1841

Posted on May 20, 2020 by nancyleek

Thursday, 20. The day was tolerably pleasant. Our road was interrupted by small streams which crossed our course in every 2 or 3 miles during the day. The land was prairie, except the narrow groves which accompanied every stream — … Continue reading →

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May 19, 1841

Posted on May 19, 2020 by nancyleek

Wednesday, 19th. This morning the wagons started off in single file; first the 4 carts and 1 small wagon of the missionaries, next 8 wagons drawn by mules and horses, and lastly, 5 wagons drawn by 17 yoke of oxen. … Continue reading →

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