On the morning of May 19, 1836 a large group of (mostly) Commanche Indians gathered on the fields outside of Fort Parker. Despite
the unrest with the indians and warnings of an impending attack, many of the residents of the fort stayed put. The alarm
came around eight o'clock in the morning when someone yelled, "Indians! Indians!" Panic struck the settlers as the indians
closed in on the fort. Benjamin Parker, son of Elder John, against the wishes of his family, walked out the front gate
in an attempt to talk with the indians. Before any conversation could take place Benjamin was killed with spears. Then,
without hesitation, the indians raided the fort. In the ensuing terror five settlers were killed and five were captured.
Those among the dead were Elder John Parker, Banjamin Parker and Silas Mercer Parker who was the father of one of those
captured, a very young Cynthia Ann Parker.
The cemetery still exists today where these brave men rest in peace. Images of the gravestone and memorial are below.
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