In January 1857, outlaws terrorized the citizens of San Juan Capistrano through robbery and murder. Los Angeles County Sheriff James R. Barton formed a posse of five men and rode south. On January 23, 1857, near this mound, a large battle took place between Barton's posse and the outlaws. During the gunfight, Sheriff James R. Barton, Deputy Charles T. Daly, and Constables William H. Little and Charles K. Baker were slain. Multiple posses from Los Angeles eventually tracked down and arrested the outlaws responsible for their murder.