[3] John Rollin Ridge, the first editor of the Sacramento Bee, also wrote for the San Francisco Herald among other publications.

[4] The California Gold Rush had caused the sleepy town of San Francisco, with 800 people in 1847, to explode to 50,000 in 1850.

Walker and Nugent outspokenly blamed town officials and judges for allowing the crime wave.

[9] Among the more valuable, the New Merchant's Exchange, property of Jardine, Matheson & Co. of China, "cost $100,000 and is one of the many instances of confidence in our prosperity exhibited by capitalists abroad.

"[10] On 7 January 1855 the Daily Herald published an editorial that questioned why the school tax had fallen from $18,685.11 for 1853 to $6,483.24 for 1854 despite the fact that the number of children had grown.

[11] The Herald wrote in laudatory terms of homestead associations: In no other way can a man of small means so cheaply obtain a homestead; and the time is rapidly slipping by in which eligible lots, of sufficient size for a convenient dwelling, can be had in the city limits at less than prices ranging above two thousand dollars each.

Moulder of the Herald presented episodes in the life of Captain Joseph R. Walker, who had explored the Colorado River and Grand Canyon, and met the Hopi of the region.

[16] On 25 January 1855 the Herald ran a story on a bill introduced by Mr. Farwell[b] requiring all voters, residents in any unincorporated city in the State, to be registered to entitle them to the right of suffrage.

Lists were to be prepared at least ten days before any State or Municipal election of the legally qualified voters in each ward, and only these persons would be allowed to vote.

No honest citizen will object to it... Everyone familiar with San Francisco is aware that for many years past the elections have been carried out by the agency of political bravos, who go around the city voting in every precinct, and often times more than once in each.

[18] On 20 January 1856 the Daily Herald wrote, "There never was probably a project started which has met with more universal approbation than the one for the establishment of a wagon route across the plains."

It concluded though, "...the appearances at present are that the project will be ridden to death, as so many have made it a hobby by which they expect to mount to fame.

Passengers would cross the isthmus, a three day journey by canoe and mule, then take the waiting steamer to their destination.

[22] Three months late Walker wrote an article in the Herald that attacked judge Eli Parsons, who had told a grand jury "the press is a nuisance".

Thousands of people demanded his release, and on appeal Parsons' decision was thrown out on the basis that the constitution protected freedom of the press.

[3] A quarrel with Alderman John Cotter arose from the purchase of the Jonny Lind Theatre for use as a public building, which the Herald insinuated was fraudulent.

Cotter's second shot produced a compound fracture in Nugent's left thigh, which fortunately healed quickly.