Summer reading for history buffs I have found some interesting online reading for anyone interested in early California. Most are written by the overland travelers themselves. A good insight into these hardy pioneers. These are found in the Library of Conress archives. John Bidwell, Echoes of the past Interesting story of a really good man in early California. California as I saw It... by Sim Moak Many stories about early Chico as well as Butte and Tehama County in the 1850-1860 period. California. A trip across the plains, in the spring of 1850, being a daily record of incidents of the trip ... and containing valuable information to emigrants ... By James Abbey. Gives a real feeling for what the trip to California was like. Across the Plains in the Donner Party A Personal Narrative of the Overland Trip to California by Virginia Reed Murphy A young woman gives her account of the ill fated group. Death Valley in '49.... William Lewis Manly. A story of hardship and endurance The gold seekers of '49 a personal narrative of the overland trail and adventures in California and Oregon from 1849 to 1854. By Kimball Webster