In March of 1881, Abbey Fisher hoped to distribute her award-winning cookbook for sale across the land. Who knows, to get her "Celebrated Jellies, Preserves, Pickles & Sauces" to customers around the West, Mrs. Fisher could have used Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express.

Mrs. Fisher had a sterling reputation in San Francisco as a cook—she won awards in Sacramento and other fairs, and was awarded medals for the "Best Pickles, Sauces, Jellies and Preserves" at the 1880 Mechanics' Institute Fair, a San Francisco organization that promoted local industry. Born a slave, Mrs. Fisher neither read nor wrote, but her fans took down her knowledge and compiled a book.

Mrs. Fisher and her friends hired the Women's Cooperative Printing Office to publish What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking—the first cookbook by an African-American. It reappeared a few years back from Applewood Books.

Some recipes include Jumberlie and several different gumbos. There is a jumble cake that takes about 15 minutes to make, but sticks with you for a while.

Give it a try—bon appétit!