Category Archives: Uncategorized

May 31, 1841

Monday, 31st. This morning about 10 o’clock we met six wagons with 18 men, with fur and robes on their way from Ft. Larimie [sic] to St. Louis. Ft. Larimie is situated on Larimie’s fork near its junction with the … Continue reading

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May 26, 1841

“Wednesday, 26th. Two wagons were broke today; about a dozen Pawnees came to our camp, stopped to repair the wagons, having come about 15 miles. . . . A man by the name of Williams, a Methodist preacher, overtook the … Continue reading

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130 years of Casaba Melons

This afternoon I planted casaba melons in a big empty patch in the middle of our orchard. This is the second year that I have planted casabas—they were such a favorite with General Bidwell that I had to try them. … Continue reading

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May 19, 1841

“Wednesday, 19th. This morning the wagons started off in single file; first the 4 carts and 1 small wagon of the missionaries, next 8 wagons drawn by mules and horses, and lastly, 5 wagons drawn by 17 yoke of oxen. … Continue reading

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May 18, 1841

I had a good time speaking to the Chico Friends of the Library last night. I have been a member for many years, and always have enjoyed hearing the speaker at the annual meeting—I remember Steve Brown, Roger Aylworth, and … Continue reading

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The Missionaries and the Mountaineer

“In five days after my arrival we were ready to start, but no one knew where to go, not even the captain. Finally a man came up, one of the last to arrive, and announced that a company of Catholic … Continue reading

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Gathering: May 1841

Camped by the Kansas River, John Bidwell and his companions waited to see who else would show up. “Every day for a week or more wagons arrived with the same object in view (going to California.) At last we took … Continue reading

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May 9, 1841

“When May came I was the only man that was ready to go out of all who signed the pledge. In Weston however there was a man who had never signed the pledge, but who had said from the beginning … Continue reading

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Essentials for Immigrants, part 3

“It was understood that every one should have not less than a barrel of flour with sugar and so forth to suit; but I laid in one hundred pounds more flour than the usual quantity, besides other things. This I … Continue reading

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Essentials for Immigrants, part 2

John Bidwell talked to anyone who had knowledge of travel in Indian Territory. One of the things he needed to know was what kind of gun to take. There was no more important piece of equipment than a gun. “My … Continue reading

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