Comanche Fixation
It has been said that the Sunshine State of Mind seems to be fixated on the Comanche Indians. That may be a true statement to some degree, without telling the whole story. Texas history is not simply facts in textbook, to be put in short term memory to pass a school exam and then tossed into the “not-important” cubby of the brain. Although the European and Americans settled here at a much later date than the Mayflower folks did at Plymouth Rock, the exciting, colorful, and often violent history takes a back seat to no other State in the Union. The circle of events ties together in a neat package that translates into a history that has been told repeatedly through books, television and movies. Fixated? Possibly …
The circle
When Europeans began settling the Mexican territory, that we now call Texas, it was a vast prairie that stretched from the Llano Estacado to the Gulf. The Mexicans did not control the land, though they claimed it for their own. No, it was a group of people that transformed themselves from a primitive tribe of root grubbers, with no focus, who discovered and exploited a gift from the Spanish, the horse, becoming a fierce, mobile, fighting machine.
The Comanche did an outstanding job of training the animal and then mastering techniques of riding while accurately shooting arrows, not always on top of the horse at the time. They also had a nasty habit of capturing, torturing and enslaving non-Comanche. The Mexicans were not keen on this and decided to invite Europeans to come settle the area in hopes they could tame the wild nature of the prairie. The Europeans came. The Parkers were among them. Two of the Parkers were instrumental in forming the Texas Rangers, who were to protect the settlers from the Indians. As a small force the Rangers did a good job, but they could not be everywhere at all times. Peta Nocona married a young Parker, Cynthia Ann, who the Comanche and Kiowa had snatched from the Parker fort. Their child, Quanah, became the most famous of all Comanche and went from the last great, war chief, to owning interest in a railroad (see last month’s SSOM). Who needs fiction when such rich stories abound within Texas history?
Copper’s Break State Park
14 miles, due south of Quanah, Texas, is the smallest of the three Panhandle state parks. Copper’s Break sits on the eastern edge of the Llano Estacado (Palisaded Plains). They offer sites ranging from primitive, hike-in sites to group sites. There are 24 family campsites with water and electricity, restrooms conveniently nearby. The picnic tables are covered with teepee style wind barriers. A grill and fire ring accent each spacious site.
Very near the park, on the Pease River, is where Cynthia Ann Parker was recaptured from the Comanche and reunited with her relatives.
Back to Comanche
Well buckaroos, speaking of Comanche, I hope to see you in Comanche on April 10-12 for the T.M.R.A. State Rally. It is a fun time and I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. Full circle.
Until then;
ride often, ride hard and ride safe, but mostly ...
ride often, ride hard and ride safe, but mostly ...
