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Elisha Reavis |
Reavis was the first Anglo-American to settle in what is now known as the Superstition Mountains. Reavis planted a garden in what is still known today as Reavis Ranch. Reavis’s mountain abode sits in the middle of todays Superstition Mountain Wilderness. The clear flowing spring, located in this high mountain valley is the only reliable perennial water source in the entire mountain range.
Meanwhile Elisha became a teamster, working a US Army contract to move supplies over military trails/roads in the 1860’s when the nation’s focus was primarily on the Civil War, in the East. There is no record of why he quit work for the government, but it’s likely because he found a valley high in the Superstitions with sufficient water to make it desirable. He built a cabin and made it defensible against the Apache, who used that valley as a winter range.
At some point, the Apache decided to move Reavis off their land and they attacked his adobe stronghold. He killed three with his .38-40 Winchester and then decided that they could hold him at bay almost indefinitely. With his ammunition expended, Reavis took off all of his clothes, and charged the Apache camp armed with a butcher knife, howling and screaming. The Apache were rattled by this action, packed, left and never returned to the ranch. The Apache had a taboo against killing or molesting the insane.
Aftermath
There is no road to the Reavis Ranch, but there are backpack trails that lead in from the north and south.
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Mail and Commentary
I encourage you to read Ed’s comments in his blog NOT OF THIS WORLD, titled “Low Energy Politicians“
The Democratic Left (says that they) want to reduce the carbon footprint to “save the planet”.
What they really want is a return to the feudal system where tight pockets of workers are bound to the local employers who will be unionized and support the political leaders that empowered the system.
Socialists and Communists want a more dependent class to serve the apparatchiki, the favored overseers, and the Politburo types who sit on top of them – and the oligarchs who ride the top of the pyramid. A dependent class can’t be armed, they can’t be mobile, and they must remain poor, with whatever education allowed being that strictly controlled by the state. Animal Farm is always worth a re-read.
Under Common Core, there is no study of history. It’s dangerous to study the past because if you understand that, you are better able to grasp the nature of the propaganda that the “Ministry of Truth” spews out. CNN, MSNBC and much of the print media follow Democrat Party talking points to the letter because they’re part of the power grab. You can’t have independent fact finders running around in the brave new world. Better to label them racists. I could go on with my rant, but won’t. Read Ed’s Blog.
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Sunday Sermonette:
In the eight months that I’ve lived in rural Arizona, I find that I have more time to chat with people up here about things that matter, like firearms, Constitutional issues, odious donkeys, and fishing. Country people seem to make time to do this more than city people who sit in their cars during long commutes.
LSP – And what a great Samaritan patch, nice.
That patch and others part of my personal history, LSP. And I’ve been fortunate to have been able to let go of a lot of unpleasantness that I’ve witnessed personally. I sleep well, and focus on tasks at hand – and on my expanding family. Grandkids are cool. You have something to look forward to – all in good time.
I ride the motorcycle for the pleasure of doing so. Which means that as with you, I pick and choose when and where I mount the SheDevil. I have a trailer and this winter, I will make some trips to the Arizona lowlands (great weather) for some jaunts. The trailer can take the bike into the general area where I want to ride on any given day and I can enjoy it better that way. I’m willing to take criticism for behaving like an old man. When I’m finished riding, I can haul the scooter back up to the mountains and park it in the garage until I’m ready to play again.
Nellie would have made you do anything that she wanted you to do, and could have roped and hog tied you if you failed to satisfy her completely.
We grew up in a different age (The Age of the Dinosaurs), Old NFO. I’ve stopped at many accidents during my life and rendered first aid. I carry a full trauma bag in each vehicle, including C-Collars, and SAM casts. It’s heartbreaking not to have what you need. These days if you don’t do a good enough job, many states allow the people you stopped to help, to sue you. I still stop.
I’ve gotten to enjoy it.
Go the same guy two Saturday’s in a row.
He owned a carpet store. Told me “if ever”.
“If ever” came up quick.
He told me not to look at the prices and I got a top of the line Berber with free installation.
I’ve never had anyone offer anything. But the carpet would be nice.
Elisha Reavis led a lonely life. I wonder how someone stays sane by living that way. But if he had to die, doing it on the trail with his dog watching over him was the way to go. And it seems he didn't partake of any of CW's straight razors, either.
RE: Nellie. I would let her!
Wonderful, little-known history post. Thank you, LL.
Interesting story. There are a number of others in the old southwest.
I see a picture of a guy with that beard like that and I wonder "Why?".
Well if it saved his life against indians…..er… indigenous nationalists, then I guess he got an attachment to it.
What a great story, and of course I like Reavis' charge against the Apache. They packed up, wisely.
There were giants in those days.
We had some interesting settlers here, too. I should gin up a post about Antoine Janis, the first recorded white settler in the territory. He founded the city of Laporte here, and his cabin is here at Library Park now.
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