Quanah Parker and Teddy Roosevelt

One of six Native American leaders invited to participate in Theodore Roosevelt’s 1905 inauguration parade, Parker was a frequent traveler to the capital to advocate for the Comanche. Back home in Oklahoma, Parker joined Roosevelt on a wolf hunt in April 1905. During the hunt, Roosevelt dined with Parker at his home, the Star House, where they discussed Comanche land ownership and unemployment. Many scholars cite this visit as the impetus for the congressional appropriation that led to the repatriation of bison in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife preserve located north of Star House.