I have just finished doing a book on the Merced Herald and the San Joaquin Valley Argus. This book covers the years 1865 to 1875, 221 pages with index. The information that is in this book is from micro film of these two newspapers. Both of these newspapers were printed in Snelling on the Merced River. When the Herald went out of business the Argus started publishing a month or two later. The Argus stayed in Snelling till the county seat was changed to Merced, then they moved to Merced. I have put all the vitals that I have found on the film in this book, along with many very interesting story about the start of towns in Merced Co and other town like Modesto and Turlock as the railroad was being established in the San Joaquin Valley. Another interesting think that I found was that Merced Falls started as a Woolen mill. I have family from Plainsburg and there are stories about the start of Plainsburg. There is also a list of Ranchers in the county and what they were worth, to be listed they had to be worth more than 10,000.. If anyone is interested in this book please contact me. My e-mail address is below. Tom -- Thomas and Paulette Hilk 1725 Wildwood Ct. Merced, CA. 95340 E-mail address: paulette@elite.net