In early 1894, Columbus Sikes and William Smeiduh were fast friends, living and working in and around Ridgway.
On March 12 of that year, they met for lunch at noon in a roadhouse in Dallas, Ouray County. Smeiduh was out of work while Sikes was employed by S. J. Couchman.
After their meal they rode to Colona and met a ranchman who told them there was work in Delta. The ranchman offered to take…