Arizona republican., 1894-03-18


admirably located for colonization purposes as
the Peralta grant. 1t embraces the ella, Salt,
San Pedro and San Carlos rivers as water
courses 1t is impossible to estimate the value
of this immense property, blessed as it is in
mineral and agricultural resources. 1t con-
tains the most famous mineral belt in Arizona,
that of the Pinal range, with the adjacent
mountains in close proximity to these abun-
dant streams; also the renowned Deer creek
cOalields, the largest coal measure yet dis
covered in America, and an anthracite deposit
near the ella buttes which promises to surpass
anything yet developed. Within the bounda-
ries of the grant many important mining
camps have sprung up, notably Silver King,
Clifton, Silver City and Old Dominion. The
town of Phoenix lies within the border, as does
also Florence, Globe, Solomonville and Silver
City. The Southern Pacific railroad cuts across
the southwest corner, Numerous branch lines
which are to traverse the very heart of this
great property have already been surveyed and
their projection is the question of only
short time.
Every we'll informed person in Ari-
IONA knows that the statement that
'the property has been in litigation"
is false, for the claimants have never
ventured to present themselves before
an Arizona court. 1t is almost as well
known that the United States court of
private land claims has never made any
decision or ruling that could be con.
strued into any sort of affirmation of
the Peralta- Reavis claim but the state
ment of the Examiner that such is the
case. with the further statement that
ga clear title to any or all of the prop
erty is thereby assured" will be apt to
assist the piratical crew in robbing
some people of their money.
If the mischief stopped there it's
scope might be greatly restricted, for
the Arizona press will undoubtedly do
its duty in warning people from being
influenced by the Examiner and plum
dered by the Matchmaking thieves who
have either deluded or bought the Er-
aminer into endorsing their scheme.
But the injury that will be suffered
by those who may be beguiled into in
vesting in ''the Barony OF Arizona" will
be small compared with the injury
that may be otherwise wrought by the
publication In the Examiner, for the
article in question will to certain ex-
tent effect that which the Peralta-
ReaYis grant of itself could not &C.
complish. 1t will in way cloud the
title to every ranch in the Salt river
and ella valleys, where the United
States has not issued q patent to the
land, and it will similarly effect every
canal and ditch; every gold, silver and
copper mine not passed to patent, and
every timber tract within an area of
seventy-eight miles wide and 236 miles
long, and it will prevent homestead
and desert land settlers from locating
among US. Not that it will discourage
sales or mortgages among our own peo-
pie or among well informed investors
in the east. But how many new COM
ers who contemplated investment may
say, sob. this property is covered by
Spanish grant which the Enaminer en-
dorses as a clear titlep"
In common with most Arizonans we
have hitherto felt that it was not worth
while to give consequence to the Per-
alta Reavis swindlers by making any
especial effort to oppose their scheme
or denounce the schemers, but we
think now that the conditions call for
different line of action. There should
be concerted effort to procure from the
government archives in Mexico proof
that the Peralta-Reavis claim is
forged and spurious claim, and to Sc
cure the best legal talent in order that
the case of the people may be properly
presented before the land court and the
villainy of the blackmailers exposed.
There should be meetings of our boards
OF trade, supervisors, and citizens in
the counties affected, and adequate ar
engagements made to give wide publicity
to the fact that the "Peralta- Reavis"
claim is without merit, and that the
claimants will never dare to venture
their scoundrelIy carcases within the
limits of their "Raronv'