During this trip he and his wife happened across the "Inicial Monument" that marked her great-grandfather's land. Although he was despised by his victims, especially the small landowners in Arizona, Reavis became somewhat a folk hero to others. The scam relied on forgeries he left in church records from Mexico City to Madrid, inserting a fictitious family into ancient documents. After some encouragement from “friends in high places” including Conkling and Ingersoll, Reavis overplayed his hand by suing the U.S. Government for eleven million dollars. Karen Chen is a longtime volunteer at the Pioneer Living History Museum, where Sears’ Victorian house sits today. [20] According to Willing, he had purchased the rights to a large Spanish land grant from Miguel Peralta for US$20,000 in gold dust, prospecting equipment, and saddle mules. “That’s the feeling I get from the original Arizona Constitution," he said. [122] To this end, Mackay provided him with a US$500/month stipend, an amount sufficient for the Reavis party to travel in a manner consistent with an influential family. And his punishment: He served two years in prison and paid a $5,000 fine. [149] The third, the Casa Grande Improvement Company of Arizona, was incorporated in November and absorbed the prior two entities. [153] Finding conditions in Arizona too hostile to his ambitions, Reavis rarely spent time at his mansion in the town of Arizola. "And so, he could forge his commanding officer’s signature on leave papers. Reavis then requested access to case 77, drawer 3, legajo (file) 31. However, as the Apache were re-located to reservations in the 1870s speculators tried to locate heirs and purchase the lands at a low price. [254] Reavis spent roughly a year in jail awaiting trial. Reavis would have had to forge over 200 Spanish documents and signatures. [130] Ingersoll was so impressed by Peralta papers that he agreed to represent Reavis in his efforts to have the new claim confirmed. Following his return, a trial date was set for May 30, 1895. Willing declined the offer and instead returned the next day with an expert in Spanish land titles, William W. Reavis and Sofia traveled to Europe where they were welcomed by Spanish aristocracy who were amused to see the baron tweak the nose of the despised yanquis. We are open: Monday-Saturday 10 am – 5 pm. [68] Additionally Don Miguel went to the trouble in August 1787 of creating a cedula before a notary in Guadalajara documenting the Peralta grant, title, coat of arms, and the ancestry of his son. [28] Reavis used this time and association with Gitt to learn about Mexican and Spanish land documents. [115] It was not until 1877, however, that he met the heiress. Call 928-779-4395. [111] Sensing the situation turning against him, Reavis hastily left for California. Box 8008, Cave Creek, AZ 85327. Initial exposure of the fraud occurred when an unfavorable Surveyor General report caused the claim to be summarily dismissed. [152][Note 6], By the time of the second filing, Reavis was dressing in the finest linen and broadcloth while his wife wore the products of New York and San Francisco's best dressmakers. [259] By the time of the release, Sophia was living in Denver, Colorado, with the couple's children and working as a milliner. [154] Despite having been out of office, Johnson had continued to investigate the validity of the Reavis claim. Novelties and conveniences exist throughout the house. At first they wanted to lynch the smooth-talking baron. There Reavis obtained an affidavit from Alfred Sherwood certifying he had known Sophia and her parents since her birth, she had been born in San Diego County, California, and that she had been left in the custody of Don Jose R. C. Maso following the death of her mother and twin brother when her father had need to travel to Spain. [13] Reavis returned to St. Louis, Missouri near the end of 1866. Arizona Places to Go Her obituary in the Rocky Mountain News made no mention of the Peralta Grant. No one person can claim this land. [37] Reavis learned of his partner's death upon his arrival in San Francisco. [5] Reavis utilized this provision by manufacturing a fictional claim and then generating a collection of documents demonstrating how the claim came into his possession. Secretary of the Interior. [234], During Father Stockman's testimony he pointed out differences in the inks between the pages related to Mrs. Reavis and the rest of the ledger. Searches of Spanish archives for supporting documents had failed to find information on the Peralta grant in locations where such information was expected. The Visitors Center offers a slide show, photographs, exhibits and a children's "touch table" that challenges adults as well as youngsters. With the accomplished business leaders he had met in New York advocating the legitimacy of his claim, Reavis began to gain millions of dollars in new funds.

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