Media in the San Francisco Bay Area
James King of William began publishing the "Daily Evening Bulletin" in San Francisco in October, 1855 and built it into the highest circulation paper in the city. He criticized a city supervisor named James P. Casey, who, on the afternoon of the story about him, ran in the paper, shot and mortally wounded King. Casey was lynched by the early vigilante committee. The "Morning Call" was established and began publishing in December 1856, and later merged with the "Bulletin" to become the long-running "Call-Bulletin". The "San Francisco Chronicle" debuted in June, 1865 as the "Dramatic Chronicle", founded by Charles and M.H. de Young aged 19 and 17.
The San Francisco Call
Between December 1856 and March 1895 "The San Francisco Call" was named "The Morning Call", but its name was changed when it was purchased by John D. Spreckels. In the period from 1863 to 1864 Mark Twain worked as one of the paper's writers. It was headquartered at Newspaper Row. The Morning Call was reported purchased by Charles M. Shortridge of the San Jose Mercury for $360,000 in January 1895. Shortridge became the sole proprietor and editor. He was elected to the California state legislature in 1898 representing the 28th district (San Jose).