 John Judson Ames wrote a prospectus for a newspaper, the "San Diego Herald" in December 1850, soliciting advertisements and subscriptions from the towns-people; the first issue was published on May 29, 1851.However, New Town did not do well due to a lack of fresh water, a financial depression in 1851, and opposition from the established settlements in Old Town and La Playa.In 1867, Alonzo Horton purchased of pueblo lands in the current Downtown area, and in 1869 he added Davis's to his holdings; the area was referred to as the Horton Addition.