Outcalt, John. History of Merced County, California : with a biographical review of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic Record Co., 1925, 903 pgs. List of illustrations Table of contents Preface Chapter I. Indians, Spaniards, and Mexicans Chapter II. American explorers Chapter III. First American settlers to California Chapter IV. John C. Fremont Chapter V. Mother Mariposa Chapter VI. The founders of the county Chapter VII. Organization and boundaries Chapter VIII. The assessment roll for 1857 Chapter IX. Early days in the county Chapter X. A cross-section of Merced county life in 1865 Chapter XI. The settlement of the plains Chapter XII. Early days on the West Side Chapter XIII. The cattle industry and the no-fence law Chapter XIV. The coming of the railroad and the founding of Merced Chapter XV. Merced becomes the county seat Chapter XVI. County officials Chapter XVII. Population Chapter XVIII. Transportation Chapter XIX. Education Chapter XX. Newspapers Chapter XXI. Irrigation Chapter XXII. Towns and subdivisions Biographical review. Pioneers, past and present Index of names