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.

Lincoln through Bidwell’s Eyes

Posted on August 10, 2019 by nancyleek

John Bidwell believed fervently in the Union cause. In 1864 he was one of the California delegates to the Republican National Convention in Baltimore on June 7-8, where Lincoln was renominated for president. Upon his return home, he spoke to … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Happy Birthday, John Bidwell!

Posted on August 5, 2019 by nancyleek

August 5th marks 200 years since the birth of John Bidwell, California pioneer and founder of Chico. So wish him a “Happy Birthday!” (wherever he is), and maybe pay a visit to his home, Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park sometime … Continue reading →

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Two-Gun Nan Rides Again

Posted on August 1, 2019 by nancyleek

Thanks to a couple of comments on my blog series about Two-Gun Nan, I was inspired to try again to find the Death Valley Days episode about her record-setting cross-country journey. The TV show appeared in 1958 as episode 16 … Continue reading →

Posted in Nan Aspinwall | 1 Comment

How Louise Clappe Became Shirley

Posted on July 29, 2019 by nancyleek

Shirley is a common enough feminine name — we all know at least one Shirley. But before 1849 the name was rare as a masculine name, and unknown as a feminine one. It was originally a rather uncommon English surname, … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Dame Shirley

Posted on July 28, 2019 by nancyleek

July 28th marks another bicentennial, the 200th birthday of Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe, better know as “Dame Shirley,” author of The Shirley Letters. She was born in 1819 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was educated in Massachusetts. She attended … Continue reading →

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Black Bart in Butte County

Posted on July 25, 2019 by nancyleek

On July 25, 1878, the notorious outlaw “Black Bart” held up a stagecoach on the Oroville-Quincy Road. Twenty-eight stagecoach robberies are credited to Charles E. Boles (aka “Black Bart”) and this was his fifth. Boles had not had a great … Continue reading →

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Annie Bidwell at the Women’s Congress

Posted on July 23, 2019 by nancyleek

This photo, brought to my attention by Richard Elsom, shows an 1896 meeting of Suffragist leaders: standing (l to r) Ida Husted Harper, Selena Solomons, Carrie Chapman Catt, Annie Bidwell, (seated) Lucy Anthony, Dr. Anna H. Shaw, Susan B. Anthony, … Continue reading →

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More Bicentennial Birthdays

Posted on July 21, 2019 by nancyleek

Not only does the year 2019 mark the 200th birthday of John Bidwell, but he shares his bicentennial year with some notable figures. Here are some other folks who turn 200 this year. Two royals: Queen Victoria (May 24) and … Continue reading →

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Bidwell Bicentennial Birthday Bash

Posted on July 19, 2019 by nancyleek

It’s John Bidwell’s 200th birthday and you are all invited to a free event at Bidwell Mansion on Sunday, August 4th from 4 to 6 p.m. Fun for all! Come for free Shubert’s ice cream, birthday cake, games, music by … Continue reading →

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Gold Rush Stories

Posted on June 25, 2019 by nancyleek

Gary Noy has done it again. A few years ago I read and reviewed his book Sierra Stories. Now he has a new book: Gold Rush Stories: 49 Tales of Seekers, Scoundrels, Loss, and Luck, published by Heyday Books. It … Continue reading →

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