On Jan. 5-6, 1868, Chief Big Tree and 150 to 200 Kiowas raided Willa Walla Valley, Clear Creek, and Blocker Creek, burning homes, killing 13 people, scalping one woman alive, and capturing 10 women and children, of whom 3 escaped and 2 were ransomed. The raiders reached Elm Creek at Gainesville before a blizzard forced their withdrawal. Greater damage and loss of life were averted because George Masoner became the "Paul Revere" of the valleys and warned settlers of the impending danger. Indian raids such as this one were in retaliation for the loss of hunting grounds to settlers.