On July 3, 1877, 2nd Lt. Sevier M. Rains, civilian scout William Foster, and ten 1st cavalrymen rode from Norton’s ranch at Cottonwood in search of Nez Perce. Six miles northwest of here, Nez Perce warriors attacked and killed the detachment. Foster’s grave is three miles west on Cottonwood Butte road, and the soldiers’ remains were reinterred at Fort Walla Walla.