Leonard Parker, Quanah's grandson (he was in the photo of the old man's reburial in 1956, wearing his Army uniform) is back in town on a quick run with his nephew. He managed the BIA dorms for Floyd Mansell, ran the Spur for Steve Grayson, and eventually moved back to Anadarko with his late wife LaRue, one of the governors of the Caddo Nation. Leonard ran a firewood business with me and we have a long history, not always smooth- he is Coyote the Trickster when he wants to be, as well as , as he puts it not entirely ironically, "Indin aristocracy". (He may whip you in a pool game but his other interests include oil and cattle!)
He is one of maybe four men I would call mentors. He is also the one who used to call me (remember, my Italian ancestors were from the Swiss border) "You South Sicilian Sonofabitch!", usually when we disagreed over felling a tree: ""Parker, they don't have trees this big in Oklahoma, but we did in Massachusetts..." "what do you know, you Yankee South Sicilian sonofabitch?"
(He also listened to a coyote, while we were in the field, and predicted "death or money" two hours before I received news of the biggest, unexpected, check of my life. Sure, his father was a medicine man, but don't expect me to say much about that--I was there and I don't believe it).
I had John Graves inscribe a copy of The Last Running to him, and John's inscription brought a tear to his eye. I'm not sure I ever saw another one.
He is 87 and still standing, telling his tales, wheeling and dealing, and dispensing cryptic wisdom-- or possibly bullshit. He sometimes needs a cane, but then so do I.
Parker, with pistol and cane (click to enlarge):
11 comments:
I'd think he'd prefer a revolver.
You would be absolutely right-- that is my Kahr .40. Though his nephew favors a 1911 Colt...
...."don't expect me to say much...." Heck no--after that hint, you better say A LOT! I'd love to hear that tale! I got over my too-whitey attitude towards hoo-doo while in Africa, so I'd be a sympathetic audience fer sure....L.B.
LaRue Parker was Chairwoman of the Caddo Nation sir, not Choctaw. :-)
Sorry-- will fix. Have not seen La Rue in a decade & am a bit forgetful these days.
Im Julie, their daughter. Cool blog on my ol pops. He does have some tales to tell and he does love to bs, as well. Lol. I know he was thrilled to be in Magdalena, although not under the circumstances.
Thanks, Julie, that is a real compliment. I wish he had stayed longer-- thought he would be around til the next weekend.
Four older Magdalena guys were my mentors and advisors-- Floyd Mansell, Leonard, Tony Trujillo, and Juan Guttierez. I do not know where I would be without their teaching. Granting Leonard's in particular could be a kick in the butt.
I remember days cutting wood in the San Mateos, and sitting with him and Juan after hours in the West on summer nights after Juan closed it, sipping whiskey and listening to stories...
I was very young back then, but I know he sure misses those days. I'm glad he was able to get out there again, though he was sad that alot of his friends had passed and/or not in good health. He's so stubborn he'll probably outlive us all! Thanks for your post Steve!
I was very young back then, but I know he sure misses those days. I'm glad he was able to get out there again, though he was sad that alot of his friends had passed and/or not in good health. He's so stubborn he'll probably outlive us all! Thanks for your post Steve!
Julie-- if you can send your email and your cousin John's I will send about eight good photos (I have John's phone but not email) Mine is
Apparently if you print email addresses right the software doesn't let them show . Try "ebodio at gilanet dot com", using the "at" sign ,and a period for "dot".
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