Born a slave in Mississippi, Bose Ikard traveled to Texas in 1852 and settled in Parker County. After the Civil War, Bose was freed and was hired by Oliver Loving on the Goodnight – Loving Trail. He was a trusted and respected friend. After Ikard’s death and burial in Weatherford, Charles Goodnight provided the following epitaph on his friend’s grave marker: “Bose Ikard served with me four years on the Goodnight – Loving Trail, never shirked a duty or disobeyed and order, rode with me in many stampedes, participated in three engagements with the Comanches, splendid behavior.