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.

“Sarah and the Senator”

Posted on March 6, 2019 by nancyleek

I learned of the story of William Sharon and Sarah Althea Hill from the book you see here. I sort and price books for the Chico Friends of the Library’s weekly book sale, and that’s how I came across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Sharon v. Hill, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Scandalous Saga of Senator Sharon and Sarah Althea Hill

Posted on March 5, 2019 by nancyleek

In San Francisco, on Saturday, September 8, 1883, William Sharon, a former U.S. Senator from Nevada and a wealthy man about town, was arrested on a charge of adultery. This was a surprise to all who knew the senator since … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Spring, Glorious Spring!

Posted on March 4, 2019 by nancyleek

Albert Bierstadt’s painting is a romanticized view of spring in California, and yet I think we know that sometimes, if you go to the right spot at the right time, and close one eye, so that the electrical wires and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Great Flood of 1862

Posted on February 26, 2019 by nancyleek

I had planned to drive to Sacramento today, but this wet and windy weather is keeping me home. My journey can wait until next week. As it happens, the weather on February 25th, 1862, was nearly identical. But at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Dining at Bidwell Mansion

Posted on February 25, 2019 by nancyleek

Dec. 31, 1866 Miss Annie E. Kennedy Annie, with your assent I will ask permission of your parents to address you. I must go further or turn away and not see you at all, for you are constantly in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidwell Mansion, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

New Book!

Posted on February 22, 2019 by nancyleek

Got delivery today on 500 copies of my new book. Here they are: Peter Lassen: The True Story of a Danish Pioneer in California tells the story of Lassen’s adventures coming to America and settling in California. Steve Ferchaud did … Continue reading →

Posted in Peter Lassen, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Seeing the Grizzly

Posted on February 21, 2019 by nancyleek

Just posting these pictures here because grizzly bears are cool and not very scary at all if you have a nice thick piece of glass between you and the bear. This grizzly lives at the Oakland Zoo. The Oakland Zoo … Continue reading →

Posted in grizzly bears, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

The M & T Ranch Water Tower

Posted on February 11, 2019 by nancyleek

Here is a little more on the water tower on the M & T Ranch. Liz Stewart and John Gallardo alerted me to the existence of a drawing of the ranch in Butte County Illustrated, a book that was published … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Ohmura Letter

Posted on February 10, 2019 by nancyleek

This is the letter that was in the same box with the Ohmura bowl. It was written from Cleveland, where the Ohmuras had been relocated in 1944. They both found work there, but never at the same level of prosperity … Continue reading →

Posted in Ohmura, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Visit to the M & T Ranch

Posted on February 8, 2019 by nancyleek

Today I was lucky enough to get a tour of the M & T Ranch to the west of Chico. The tour was arranged by April Morehead Pryor for her OLLI Butte County history class. The tour was led by … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment