Discover Parker County History!

To learn all about the

Indian raids in Parker County, read the book A Cry Unheard, by Doyle Marshall of Annetta North. It is "The Story of Indian Attacks In And Around Parker County, Texas, 1858 - 1872."

Sam Savage Mountain

And the Legendary Indian Grave

Sam Savage Mountain is a small wooded hill near Leea Lane. Its elevation is 1,090 feet above sea level.

As you hike to the hill, the ground gently rises, and soon you are at the top. There is a good view from the top, and you can see Kaliche Mountain not far off.

On the side of the "mountain," you can see the legendary "Indian grave." This desecrated grave was cut out of the limestone long ago. Although traditionally known as the "Indian grave," it was probably that of an early pioneer or Spanish explorer, according to amateur archaeologist Homer Norris of Annetta. The Indians didn't have the kinds of tools to cut the rock, so it is very unlikely that it was an Indian's grave. The "Indian grave" is now grown up with oak and briars.

It was named "Sam Savage Mountain" in memory of Sam Savage, who was captured by the Comanches at age 5, along with his six-year-old brother, Jim. The Savage family lived on Sanchez Creek, about four miles southwest of Weatherford, and only about three miles from the poor farm.

The Indians attacked on the morning of March 2nd, 1866, killing Sam and Jim's father, Bolin Savage. Jim and Sam were with their 11-year-old brother, Marion, when the Indians came. Sam and Jim were taken by the Indians, and taken to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). The boys lived with the Comanches until November, when they were ransomed at Fort Arbuckle by a white trader. They had nearly forgotten English, and were dressed like Comanches. They had also become proficient with the bow and arrow.

The Savage boys were returned to their family where they gradually readjusted to the white culture. While Sam was still a child, the Savages moved to Palo Pinto County, where Sam lived the rest of his life. In the 1920's and 1930's, Sam was a well-known fiddle player. For many years, he was the champion fiddler at the Old Settlers Reunion at Holland Lake in Weatherford. Incidentally, Sam Savage Mountain is shaped similar to a fiddle.

The Trails Team in the Advisory Group is planning a trail around the hill, as well as one to the top of the hill.

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