our opinions: CURMUDGEON MUSINGS
The Last
Word
BY MARK BROWN
Mysteries of the Universe Pondered
DECEMBER 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
I
have a great experience to relate to you. First
of all, this probably isn’t news to you longtime
Parker County dwellers, but I want to share it
with you anyway. We have spectacular western
history here; so many fascinating events took
place all around us in Parker County and especially in Weatherford. This was a hub of activity
for Western icons like Charlie Goodnight and
Oliver Loving and their cattle operations.
These men and many others endured hardships beyond imagination in order to build their
brands if you will, to stay, civilize and develop
this area. There are so many great books that
tell amazing stories about Texas in general and
about Parker County in particular, and about
the people that made their home here, both the
settlers that put down roots here and the bands
of Indians that lived here. I’ve mentioned this
before. If you want a great experience, I’d say
read one of these epic stories that includes a lot
of Parker County history. Read about Charlie
Goodnight in Charles Goodnight — Cowman
and Plainsman, by J. Evetts Haley. There is not
a better life story anywhere. It speaks to being
a Texas Ranger, consummate cattleman, horseman, entrepreneur and so much more. Reading
accounts like Goodnight’s makes one realize just
how soft members of society have become.
So that brings me to another recommendation.
If you haven’t attended or you don’t know
about the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering &
112
Western Swing Festival, please make it your goal
to find out about it and be there next year. Look
at his website, get the info. This year, it began
with a wagon train leaving Jacksboro on Oct.
23, and traveling through Perrin, Mineral Wells,
Weatherford, Azle and arriving in the Fort Worth
Stockyards on Thursday, Oct. 27. The 27th