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.

A Shipping List from 1848

Posted on September 10, 2017 by nancyleek

Here is Bidwell, in November 1848, with a list of items that he is shipping to George McKinstry for sale at their trading post at Bidwell Bar. At least that’s where I think all this stuff is going. I’m not … Continue reading →

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Happy Admission Day!

Posted on September 9, 2017 by nancyleek

Today is California Admission Day, the day that California was admitted to the Union as the 31st state. So do something fun to commemorate this day in history, like the San Franciscans did when they got the news on October … Continue reading →

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“If this is true . . . it is outrageous.”

Posted on September 8, 2017 by nancyleek

Here is the second half of Bidwell’s September 30, 1848 letter to George McKinstry. He is outraged by a rumor that he has killed two Indians, a charge that he stoutly denies. It would certainly have been out of character … Continue reading →

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“A great many people have crowded upon this stream”

Posted on September 7, 2017 by nancyleek

Another letter from Bidwell to George McKinstry in 1848. I hope you find these letters as interesting as I do. I think the insights into the early days of gold-mining in California are fascinating. Camp 30th Sept. 1848 Dear Mac, … Continue reading →

Posted in Edward Farwell, George McKinstry, Theodore Cordua | 2 Comments

“The most laborious business I know of”

Posted on September 4, 2017 by nancyleek

This letter is in the McKinstry collection, but I don’t know who wrote it. Possibly it is by the Mr. McCall mentioned in Bidwell’s letter of 24 June 1848. It gives another view of Bidwell and Dickey mining on the … Continue reading →

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“We did tolerably well washing the sands”

Posted on September 2, 2017 by nancyleek

Another 1848 letter from John Bidwell to George McKinstry. Feather River below first camp Saturday 24th June 1848 Dear Mc, Mr. McCall arrived yesterday morning and brought two letters from you dated the 20th inst. We spent the remainder of … Continue reading →

Posted in George McKinstry, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Tomorrow I shall land in the “diggings”

Posted on August 31, 2017 by nancyleek

Here is John Bidwell, about to go searching for gold on the Feather River, in this letter to George McKinstry. Lots of interesting tidbits here — see notes further down. Hock June 19th 1848 Dear Sir, I have been up … Continue reading →

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“I foresee great struggles in the mining regions”

Posted on August 29, 2017 by nancyleek

In 1848 things were happening in California. John Bidwell had been quietly and steadily developing a ranch on Butte Creek. He was also still doing occasional jobs for John Sutter — drawing up contracts, surveying, laying out lots in Sutterville. … Continue reading →

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The Great Solar Eclipse of 1889

Posted on August 20, 2017 by nancyleek

Are you heading up to Oregon to see the total eclipse of the sun? Are you already there, waiting for the event tomorrow? Here in Chico we will see a partial eclipse, about 83% coverage, I am told. To see … Continue reading →

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Two More Letters from Nancy

Posted on August 17, 2017 by nancyleek

Kelsey, that is. Two more letters to her friend, Helen Weber, are in the Weber Family Papers. They are written from Gilroy, where the Kelseys moved after they left Lone Pine, Inyo County. The earthquake occurred in March 1872. By … Continue reading →

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