12. The Peralta Deed
George Willing claimed that in 1864, he had paid $20,000 in gold dust, mules, and other goods, to a Miguel Peralta for the land in question. Unfortunately, the deed of transfer was highly irregular. Among other things, it had been on a sheet of greasy and marked up paper, without a notary or justice. However, once Reavis discovered how easy it was to get the Public Lands Commission to approve a claim, no matter how iffy, provided bribes were paid, he decided it was time to head to Arizona. As a start, he “tipped off” his railroad tycoon acquaintances to the deceased Willing’s land – without disclosing his interest in it. Reavis told them he could negotiate right-of-way privileges for their proposed Southern Pacific line through Arizona. He then traveled to Kentucky, where he met the deceased Willing’s widow, and bought his late partner’s interest in the land.
