top of page

Browse Other Posts

John Wayne and the Searchers

  • Writer: Lawrence Lore
    Lawrence Lore
  • Mar 5, 2024
  • 1 min read



Some of you may have watched the John Wayne movie-- The Searchers --wherein a blonde blue-eyed young girl was kidnapped in Texas by the Comanche in 1836. But did you know this story is loosely based on a girl with local ties? 


Cynthia Ann Parker, the daughter of Silas M and Lucy Parker, originally from Virginia was born near Palestine after the family settled there about 1824.  The family later moved to central Texas where on May 19,1836 a large force of Comanche warriors attacked the fort and killed several of its inhabitants and took five captives.   Cynthia married Chief Nocona and remained with the Indians for almost 25 years. 

 

Recent Posts

See All
Poor Farm Superintendent

G eorge McKinley Claycomb arrived in this world on November 24, 1845, in Monroe City Knox County Indiana. He was a twin to Elias, Jr both sons of Elias Claycomb Sr. , son of Revolutionary War veteran

 
 
A Stone, a Will, and a Contract

What do a stone in the road, a Will from the Prerogative Court of Canterbury England and a life care contract have in common? They were all found in Deed Book G at the Lawrence County Courthouse.  The

 
 
Guardians and Goats

Once upon a time in Lawrence County Illinois in the year 1835 Jacob Pargin was born. He was the son of Peter Pargin and Sarah Petty and in 1850, the 15- year- old teenager was living with his parents

 
 

     Call us:

618-943-3870

​

Email:

 lawrencelore@gmail.com

  • Facebook page

JOIN OUR FREE BLOG SUBSCRIPTION!

Thanks for subscribing!

© Lawrence County Historical Society 2025. All Rights Reserved.

bottom of page