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.

The Lincoln Assassination Incarceration

Posted on October 12, 2017 by nancyleek

I have to thank the Orland Historical and Cultural Society for bringing this story to my attention on their Facebook page. And a great bit of history it is! On April 20, 1865, Captain Augustus Washington Starr was sent from … Continue reading →

Posted in Lincoln, Uncategorized, Will S. Green | Leave a comment

Coming Soon!

Posted on October 10, 2017 by nancyleek

I have a new book in the works — a picture book biography of another pioneering Californian — and I want to show you some of the great illustrations that Steve Ferchaud has done for it. What was it like … Continue reading →

Posted in Nancy Kelsey, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Visit to the Mary Aaron Museum

Posted on October 5, 2017 by nancyleek

This fall I am (for the first time) a peer leader for an OLLI class. (OLLI is basically retirees teaching other retirees anything they are interested in.) We are touring historic houses in northern California. Sounds like a fun idea, … Continue reading →

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Feuding in the Kitchen

Posted on September 30, 2017 by nancyleek

If you have attended an event at Bidwell Mansion in the last few years, you may have been lucky enough to see some dramatic vignettes performed inside the Mansion. These short dramas are all based on actual historical accounts — … Continue reading →

Posted in ANCHR | 2 Comments

“I do not want to “fail” in this job”

Posted on September 19, 2017 by nancyleek

This is John Bidwell’s last letter to George McKinstry for the year 1848. He is still at the ranch of Charles Roether, which was on the Feather River at Honcut Creek, where he has been buying cattle to drive to … Continue reading →

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1848 Shipping List — Part 2

Posted on September 13, 2017 by nancyleek

Here is the rest of Bidwell’s letter to McKinstry on November 1, 1848. It is chiefly concerned with that most important trade item — cattle. Demand was going up, and so were prices. I learn here that Cordua has raised … Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in Michael Nye, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“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