Sam Brannan was tall, charismatic, and bursting with energy. He had a talent for evocative and powerful writing, as well as distilling brandy, “equal to the finest brandies in France.” However, those that really knew him, knew Sam had the ability to talk people into almost anything. In 1848 Sam bolted into the San Francisco Plaza, hatless and travel-stained from a long journey, crying out “Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!” He was the first to herald the stupendous discovery. The whole city followed his lead to the American River as if he was a Golden Prophet.