Hal Croves,
Interesting to read Jim's story. Al Reser liked to stay at my ranch outside New River and would bring his maps and drawings with him on occasion. Al told me once all drawings of the Latin Heart essentially came from one man who was a friend of Al's and lived in Apache Junction. This man was present at the finding of the Latin Heart. Several things were left off of certain drawings of the Latin Heart at this mans request. He only gave the full drawing to his trusted friends and asked they do the same. Al told me Jim had asked him for the complete copy but Al didn't trust Jim completely and decided to wait. In the meantime Jim went to his friend Tom and got a complete copy. Al said the copy Jim got was one Al had given to Tom earlier. At about this time the Heart drawing was passed around and became general knowledge.
Al's friend who gave him the Latin Heart drawing lived not far from Al in Apache Junction. He was a former wrangler for the Q and Butcher Hook ranches and a bit of a recluse. He is confused as being a part in almost every story of the Peralta Stone Maps, Latin Heart and Stone Crosses. Al also told me something I found very interesting. His friend used a couple different aliases, one of his alias was Billy Hidden. Al's friend and Billy Hidden were the same person.
Matthew
Matthew Roberts
I honestly don't know what to make of the Latin Heart this morning. It seems to fit but the people we are writing about are personally unknown to me and that is obviously a huge disadvantage. cactusjumper has expressed some very real concerns about the LH yet, Jim seemed to have considered it authentic and even related to the other stone maps.
So, the most anyone "looking-in" can do is to dig and try to remain neutral.
Here is what I know about Billy Hidden.
Hidden's first "legal" Joint Venture Partnership Agreement was signed on January 3, 1969 and included Dalton Meeks (24%), J.W. Mc Affee (24%), and Joe J. Reilly (26%). For "security" reasons, Hidden (26%) used the
alias William J. Ryan. Their partnership was formed to "
prospect and explore certain areas of the Superstition Mountains, in Pinal and Gila Counties in Arizona." Meeks and McAffee were to "
furnish all reasonable expenses". Their partnership was legally dissolved seven days later (January 10, 1969) with no explanation given.
Hidden''s next legal partnership was signed on December 3, 1973 and included Bert Bocchini - Apache Junction, AZ (25%), William Hidden - Apache Junction, AZ (12.5%), Gorden Ripna - Grand Rapids, MI (12.5%), William Walker - Decatur, IL ( 12.5%), William Teed - ? (12.5%), Rick Antwerp - ? (12.5%), and Philip Rupp - ? (12.5%). Unnamed "others" were expected to join at a later date.
"
That the reason for this partnership is to prospect and explore certain areas of the Superstition Mountains in Pinal and Maricopa Counties of Arizona."
It is not clear why Bocchini was to receive a greater percentage of the profit. Especially since Hidden, Ripna, and Walker were to "
furnish any and all reasonable expenses and equipment and supplies or assistance pertaining to the venture…" The agreement makes no mention of any financial or "other" contributions by Bocchini. If their partnership was dissolved, it was not legally recorded. Bert Bocchini passed in January of 1978.
Hidden's next Limited Partnership agreement was made with Chad J. Stevens who owned Steven & Sons Roofing Co. (October 21, 1977). Their partnership was named "
ESCONDEDO HOPE" with headquarters in Mesa. "
The character of the business to be carried on is to engage in the business of mineral exploration."
Stevens appears to have had quite a few serious financial problems yet he contributes $1,500.00 cash to the venture only six moths after getting hit with a substantial IRS tax lein. For reasons unknown, their partnership dissolved by mutual consent on March 12, 1979.
From what I can tell, Hidden was apparently not under the same financial pressure as Stevens. His mortgage with Continental Bank, signed on January 28, 1975, was satisfied in full on May 23, 1980. No mining claims under William H.. Hidden or William J. Ryan were registered in Maricopa County.
Doyle Hanish on the other hand appears to have experience significant financial hardships which, are a matter of public record.
I am looking at Charlie Miller now and wondering if he was in some way connected to Miller's Garage. That Charlie Miller, the race car driver and garage owner was quite an impressive character. Any thoughts on Miller?
Bocchini's 26% of any realized profits fascinates me. What was his contribution?