In 1879 at the White River Ute Indian Agency, one and one half miles west of this spot in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, United States Indian Agent Nathan C. Meeker and his government employees W.H. Post, Frank Dresser, Henry Dresser, E.W. Eskridge, Mr. Price, Fred Shepard, George Eaton, Arthur L. Thompson, Carl Goldstein, and an unknown teamster were massacred by Ute Indians on September 29, 1879; women and children were captured, and Meeker fell near his office building.