Parker County Today December 2016 | Page 58

the frontier for a firsthand look. He arrived in Fort Richardson feeling vindicated in his belief as he’d encountered no hostiles. But as history recorded, he’d narrowly escaped death when his small entourage had crossed Salt Creek Prairie some 20 miles west of Fort Richardson. On May 17, a party of over a hundred Fort Sill Reservation Indians watched from a high ridge as Sherman passed, saved by a medicine man who advised the party should not attack the first group (who were obviously armed soldiers) to pass but the second — the Warren Wagon Train from Weatherford (the group of teamsters left Weatherford from the building that now houses Parker County Today magazine). The mainly Kiowa raiders massacred the teamsters and animated an embarrassed Sherman who sent then Colonel Mackenzie and a contingent of his Fourth Cavalry first to the scene of the massacre then after the reservation jumpers. So grotesque was the massacre, that both Sherman and Mackenzie became unwavering in their mission to complete the subjugation of the Plains Indians.  While Custer finished dead last in the Class of 1861 at West Point, Mackenzie finished first in the following year’s class. Grant called him “the most promising young officer in the Army.” As it turned out, Mackenzie became the man the Army turned to when it needed something done.  Custer’s demise is well-known and certainly sad. Relatively few people know of Mackenzie’s end, which was DECEMBER 2016 PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY General Custer 56 Country living at it’s best in Jordan Ranch SOLD: 101 Ranch Hand SOLD: 118 Ranch Hand SOLD: 130 Ranch Hand Your Neighborhood Realtor Tracey Thompson 817.507.5871 traceythompsonrealtor.com Truly extraordinary properties are different at every level, and they require real estate services that are as well. To market a distinctive home requires uncommon knowledge and resources, allow me to represent you. I love selling this beautiful community and look forward to talking to you about these recent sells and what I can do for you. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. 6400 Mira Vista Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76132 817.294.6634