I'm a professional Arizona historian retired from the Arizona Historical Society. I've read several books about the Baron and his story appears in my latest book, Arizona: A History of the Grand Canyon State. James Reavis was a nefarious forger who doctored documents very badly using a metal tipped pen not used in the 1740s and his grammar and syntax was easily spotted. The Surveyor General quashed his claim within months of his first notice, but he had the backing of millionaires, senators, and congressmen who thought they might get a piece of the action. He forged the documents for his bride but she was just a tool to get the grant.
When it finally went to court the jury was only out for a few hours. He was not an excellent forger, just a bombastic one.
When it finally went to court the jury was only out for a few hours. He was not an excellent forger, just a bombastic one.