DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker at Fort Parker tells it — and friend, this one deserves every word. Fort Parker, Limestone County. Built in 1834, raised up out of timber and determination as protection from Indians on a frontier that did not forgive a moment's carelessness.
The fort took its name from the Parker family, and what a family they were — leaders who brought the first Predestinarian Baptist church body to Texas. Elder Daniel Parker was the center of it, with his father Elder John beside him, and his brothers James W., Benjamin, Silas, and John rounding out the clan. The Kellogg, Frost, Nixon, Duty, and Plummer families were there too, carving out their lives inside those walls and just beyond them.
Now here is where you want to slow down and pay attention. May 18, 1836. Raiding Comanches came, and what happened that day was devastating.
Benjamin Parker, John Parker, and Silas Parker were killed. Samuel Frost and Robert Frost were killed. Others fell too.
And when the raiders left, they took people with them — Elizabeth Kellogg, Rachel Plummer and her son James, and Silas's children, John and Cynthia Ann. Gone into captivity on the Texas plains. Most of those taken were eventually returned or ransomed.
But Cynthia Ann Parker — that child carried off from Fort Parker — her story did not end there. In captivity she became part of Comanche life, and she married Chief Peta Nacona. Their son was Quanah, who would grow up to become the last Comanche Chief.
Then in 1860, Texas Rangers captured Cynthia Ann, and she had a baby with her — Prairie Flower. Cynthia Ann, Prairie Flower, and Quanah are all buried at Fort Sill. One fort built for protection in 1834.
One terrible May morning in 1836. And a thread of history that ran all the way to the last chief of the Comanche nation. The marker stands.
The story holds.
What the marker says
Built 1834 for protection from Indians. Named for leaders who bought first Predestinarian Baptist church body to Texas: Elder Daniel Parker; his father, Elder John; brothers Jas. W., Benjamin, Silas, John. Also here were Kellogg, Frost, Nixon, Duty and Plummer families on May 18, 1836, raiding Comanches killed Benjamin, John and Silas Parker, Samuel and Robert Frost and others; captured Elizabeth Kellogg, Rachel Plummer and son James, and Sila's children, John and Cynthia Ann in captivity, Cynthia Ann married Chief Peta Nacona; her son, Quanah, was last Comanche Chief. With her baby, Prairie Flower, in 1860 she was captured by Texas Rangers. She, the baby and Quanah are buried at Fort Sill.