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.

The Scandalous Saga of Senator Sharon and Sarah Althea Hill — part 3

Posted on March 9, 2019 by nancyleek

While Sarah Althea Hill’s suit for adultery was still pending, ex-Senator Sharon filed his own civil suit in federal court against her for falsely alleging that they were married. He could sue in federal court because he claimed residency in … Continue reading →

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The Scandalous Saga of Senator Sharon and Sarah Althea Hill — part 2

Posted on March 8, 2019 by nancyleek

The court dismissed the suit against William Sharon for adultery on a technicality, so Sarah Althea Hill promptly sued for divorce. Of course, in order to obtain a divorce, she first had to prove that they had been married. Her … Continue reading →

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“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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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