An Anglo-American government rule was culture shock to the Native Americans who had lived in the land for many centuries and then coexisted (in a manner where kidnapping, murder and rape by both sides was commonplace) with Hispanic people during Spanish colonization and then possession by Mexico.

Protesting American's possession of the territory, an angry mob descended on his home in January, 1847 and killed Governor Bent, survived by his wife and children[2] who escaped through a hole in the adobe wall to the neighboring home.

[3] Prior to becoming governor, Bent was a well-respected trader who owned a number of wagon trains on the Santa Fe Trail and trading posts in Santa Fe and Taos.

It was a famous trading center for Native Americans and early mountain men.

[4] He traded with frontier mountain men, exchanging supplies for furs and buffalo hides.