On May 19, 1836, a group of Native Americans attacked Fort Parker and took five captives, one of whom, Cynthia Parker, would live among the Comanche for 25 years.
Fort Parker Attacked, Cynthia Ann Parker Kidnapped
In 1832, members of the Parker family, including Lucy and Silas Parker and their children, moved from Illinois to an area in Texas near the Navasota River. The group built large walls around the settlement as protection from the nearby tribes of Native Americans, and the settlement became known as Fort Parker.
On May 19, 1836, members of the Kiowa, Comanche and Caddo tribes attacked Fort Parker. According to historian John Henry Brown, the attack killed or seriously wounded seven of the residents of the fort, including the Elder John Parker and Silas Parker, the father of Cynthia Ann. Five captives were taken during the attack including Cynthia Ann and her brother John.
Read Full Article »