Boston: Meador Publishing Co, 1938. dj. The "heart" of this empire is central California, especially the San Joaquin Delta and Stockton. This begins with a history of Mexican exploration of the area, and continues with the career of Charles M. Weber, the discovery of gold, and gold mining, the development of mail service with Wells Fargo - and Black Bart's last holdup - and includes a final chapter on the bridges of the San Francisco Bay. Illustrated with 20 plates, including one folding map. Edited by James A. Metcalf with the Spanish terms, phrases and translations edited by Marie Aldazabal. INSCRIBED on the title page with the comment that this copy is one of 300 from the first run of the first printing, and dated in 1939. Bibliography. 319 pp.