Tensions between the citizens and the criminal element came to a head on June 17, 1874.
That night, George Harrington was shot dead while trying to put out a fire set to one of his outbuildings near Centerville between Nathrop and Poncha Springs.
Harringtonâs neighbor, Elijah Gibbs, who had been seen quarreling with Harrington over shared fencing and water in the days preceding the murder, was promptly arrested, along with his ranch hand Stewart McClish.
The prisoners were held at the county jail in Granite before standing trial in Denver 5 months later. Both were ultimately acquitted after a short deliberation due to insufficient evidence.