 Adams dealt primarily with the White Rivers and Uncompahgre Utes.During these years, Adams established good relationships with Chief Ouray and his wife "Chipeta" of the Uncompahgre Utes.This friendship was useful in helping him negotiate the release of five captives (three women and two children) taken by the Utes in 1879 after the Meeker Massacre, as part of the White River War.