Author Archives: nancyleek

October 9th found the emigrants following the trail of Captain Bartleson, who had abandoned the company and rode on ahead. They trudged through sand hills and came to a swamp, the water of which was “very nauseous.” They had reached … Continue reading →

Now we have been found fault with long enough, and we are going to California. If you can keep up with us, all right; if you cannot, you may go to hell! Captain John Bartleson’s words still rang in John … Continue reading →

Tuesday, 5th.  Today was very warm, and the oxen were not able to keep up with the horses. Traveled about 30 miles and stopped on the river about dark – grass plenty, willows – this going so fast was the … Continue reading →

There were rapid changes in the American political scene during the 1850s.  The Whig Party, led by Henry Clay, was fading. The Democratic Party, the party of Andrew Jackson, was in control. But not for much longer. Sectionalism, slavery, and … Continue reading →

Our ignorance of the route was complete. We knew that California lay west, and that was the extent of our knowledge. Some of the maps consulted, supposed of course to be correct, showed a lake in the vicinity of where … Continue reading →

We are back on the trail with the Bidwell-Bartleson Party. They spent the last week of September traveling along a stream that they hoped would turn into Mary’s River (the Humboldt). It had been six weeks since the original party … Continue reading →

Saturday, 25th. The creek became perfectly dry and its banks rose to high perpendicular precipices, so that there was no other road than the dry bed of the stream. Having come about 15 miles, we encamped in a place affording … Continue reading →