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Category Archives: Uncategorized
A Shipping List from 1848
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!
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.”
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
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“The most laborious business I know of”
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”
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
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The Great Solar Eclipse of 1889
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
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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The Lone Pine Earthquake
The 1872 Lone Pine Earthquake experienced by Nancy Kelsey was felt throughout California. John Bidwell, almost 400 miles north in Chico, recorded in his diary for March 26: Very heavy earthquake at about 2.24 a.m So the earthquake was noticeable … Continue reading
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Letters from Nancy Kelsey
I am working on a picture book biography of Nancy Kelsey, who came to California in 1841 as the only female member of the Bidwell-Bartleson Party. I’ve done lots of research, but I am always looking for that last elusive … Continue reading
Posted in Nancy Kelsey, Uncategorized
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More from The Center for Sacramento History
It’s been over two weeks since I have posted anything about California history, but I have a good excuse. My three cute granddaughters were visiting for two weeks, and when you have grandchildren around, nothing else gets done. But now … Continue reading
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