James L. McHatton was a member of the Meeker Townsite Company. He was president of the Townsite in July 1885 when he, Mayor Clark and Thayer went to Glenwood Springs to apply for a patent on the land.
James was a well-known rancher in early White River valley. The outfit McHatton and Dreifuss owned the brand, Bar 7. At one time the McHatton and Dreifuss owned 500 to 600 horses on the Little Beaver ranch.…