Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-11-02
HOW JOSEPH OBTAINED 40 1000 ACRES IN THE
CIENEGUlLLA GRANT.


1884, the New MEXICAN published the
editorial below reproduced. Ii the state
ments therein were not true, Mr.. Joseph
has allowed eight years to pass by with
out refuting them. That he has not done
so, is certainly strong evidence, that the
charges are true, and hence they are re-
produced;
"We have heretofore mentioned Mr.. Jo-
seph's ownership in two large grants,
both awaiting confirmation, to show how
identified he is with land grants, and how
largely his interests would naturally affect
his legislation on that subject.
Facts recently brought to our attention
show his record in this respect to be far
more Objectionable than we had sup
posed. 1t now seems that there is scarce
Nv a man in this territory SO mixed up
with grant matters as Anthony Joseph.
He owned part of the Maxwell grant
seven miles wide along the Uraca river,
and running back to an unlimited extent
''to the top of the mountains" He bought
n quantity of shares in the Chama grant
to speculate on, paying almost nothing to
the poor owners, and selling for large
price to nonresident English pur-
chaser. In the purchases both here and
in the Oio Caliente grant there seems to
have been a good deal of crookedness
and we expect to give all the details be-
fore long.
But by far the worst business is as to
the Cieneguilla grant, and shows the land
shark and supporter of doubtful grants
combined. 1t seems that early in 1872
Joseph commenced the buying of shares
in this grant. In order to influence the
poor and ignorant owners, one share
holder named Vigil became party to the
transaction, receiving considerable
amount said to be $780, as the price OF
his perfidy. The heirs of the grantees
over 100 in number, were then seen, and
induced by various presentations, all OF
which proved false, to sign deeds to theli
interests for the miserable pittance of 81
each. Some say they signed because they
thought the deed was only right OF way
on road; others that they expectedto re
ceive their proper proportion afterwards
But none ever received a cent after thai
time, and the deeds were drawn so as tt
F cover all the right, title and interest o
p the settlers, only reserving their httl'
l garden patches. Thus over 10000 acre
, were obtained for only $l13. A NOR
cruel deception could not well be imagined
for these heirs were poor, and througl
= their poverty and misplaced confidenc
were induced to sell. If anyone doubt
n the facts the deeds are to be seen as fol
lows, all being made to Anthony Josep
$ and company, and all carrying the entir
|. right and title of the grantors:
p The first deed is one from Vigil,
d which we have spoken. Then comes tn
d following:
.. February 8, 1872, made by Marian
:, Romero and eighteen others, considera
n ton 81 each.
l. February 10, 1872, j. N. Gurule an
! thirteen others.
= February 10, 1872, Felipe de Jesus Re
d driguez and nine Others.
e February 10, 1872, Benito Romero an
h thirteen others.
k February Is, 1872, Jose Anto, sandov'
e and thirteen others.
" March IS, 1872, Juana Maria urtad
t. and six others.
d March 1S, 1872, Pedro Vigil and wife.
# March 10, 1872, Francisco Romero ar
l. ten others.
h March %, 1872, Ignacio Sanchez al
s. five others.
Id April 9, 1872, Pedro Suass and tt
others.