This Geocache appears to be in error because it is found in Elbert County. However, back then there was no Elbert County. It was all Douglas County to the state line.
There is a monument and other information at this geocache.
With the discovery of gold at Russellville and more miners moving in to the area, the Indians were finally figuring out that the situation was not temporary and started becoming a bit nasty. On June 18, 1864, four members of the Hungate family were massacred near Running Creek. They had operated a "layover station" on the Smoky Hill Trail, now the Smoky Hill Road. John Tallman was one of the first to reach the site because he ran a sawmill nearby. The bodies were taken to Denver and "put on display" as a warning of the warrior's wrath. The supposed warrior was Cheyenne Chief Roman Nose. The actual massacre was done by members of an Arapaho tribe. The bodies were eventually buried at the Tallman sawmill.
The Hungate massacre was what prompted Colonel Chivington's infamous massacre of Indians at Sand Creek in the same year.
A few years later, another family was massacred.
To claim this geocache email the name of this other family. Also, mention one item of information that you find interesting.
Photos are fine. Out14nd3r@outlook.com
Thanks Geocaching Colorado for the Geocache of the Month Award, as the second series to win!
