Bose Ikard (1843-1929)
          Known for being a man of honor and integrity, Bose Ikard was the lifelong friend of Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving, the legendary cattle drivers.  Goodnight once said, "Bose could be trusted farther than any living man I know."  Bose Ikard has become known as one of the most celebrated black frontiersman and trail drivers in Texas history. 

          Bose Ikard was born a slave in July 1843 in Noxubee County, MS.  He moved from Union Parish, Louisiana with his master, Dr. Milton Ikard in 1852.  Several months later Bose helped the Ikards move all the family belongings and their five children to their new home in Lamar County, Texas and soon afterwards to Parker County.  The young man grew to adulthood learning to farm, ranch, and fight Indians as the Civil War drew near.

           Following the war, Bose was a free man and in 1866 he went to work for Oliver Loving as a trail driver.  After Loving was killed by Comanche Indians in New Mexico, Ikard continued to work for Loving's partner, Charles Goodnight, for four years.  The two men became lifelong friends.

          Bose Ikard settled in Weatherford in 1869.  He married Angelina and together they raised six children.  In his later years, he attended several cowboy reunions with his friend, Charles Goodnight.  Bose Ikard is buried in Weatherford's City Cemetery marked by a Texas Historical marker.  The marker shares a quote from Charles Goodnight, "Bose Ikard was a man who exhibited splendid behavior."  In the popular movie Lonesome Dove, Danny Glover played the role of "Deets" which was based on the life of Bose Ikard and his contribution to Texas history.