J.H. Parr

J.H. Parr and Others Fight in 1867

During 1867, J.H. Parr and Charlie J. Keith had started for a load of wood. Keith was driving an ox-wagon, and Parr was horseback, and riding in the lead. After riding upon a divide, he saw some Indians, and motioned with his hands, as if calling rangers, that were nowhere around. Nevertheless, the Indians rapidly rode away. J.H. Parr went about one-fourth mile was of Alexander, and raised a posse of men, who followed the Indians' trail. The savages were encountered about six miles to the southwest, but only a part of the men were willing to fight and J.H. Parr was included in the number. He shot and wounded one savage out of the six, and when the Indians were later seen there were only five. No doubt, this wounded Indian died.

Note: Author interviewed: Berry Parr, son of J.H. Parr.

The above story is from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell.

J.H. Parr Shoots Savages on Green's Creek in Erath County

Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Parr, and others had gathered at the home of J.B. St. Clair, on little Green's Creek, about two mile south of Alexander, in Erath County. They left Berry T., Emma, and J.F. Parr at home, about six or seven hundred yards away. After dark, while Mr. Parr was out in the yard at the Alexander home, he discovered two Indians taking down a rail fence, to steal a pony tied to the house. He hurried back in the house for a gun, and when he returned, the Indians were apparently gone. But J.H. Parr heard hogs grunting close to the pony, so he fired, and when he did, the hogs suddenly turned to a wounded Indian, who escaped through a thicket about one hundred yards away. Other savages were stealing around J.H. Parr's residence, but this fact was unknown at the time. Nevertheless, the Indians hurried to the relief of the wounded savage, who was carried away.

Note: Author personally interviewed: Berry T. Parr, son of J.H. Parr, who was at home when his father shot the savage.

The above story is from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell.