Talk about motherly love! Native Territory comprised most of what became Eastern Oklahoma on November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. Word of the relationship somehow got out. ", "Bass Reeves and The Lone Ranger: Debunking the Myth, Part 1", "Bridge to be renamed in tribute to famed lawman", "Statue of U.S. marshal to travel from Oklahoma to Arkansas Wednesday", Gunslingers, "Bass Reeves - The Real Lone Ranger", "In a New Series, 'Around the World in 80 Days' Gets More Worldly", "David Oyelowo To Star In 'Bass Reeves' Limited Series From Taylor Sheridan As Part Of Yoruba Saxon Overall Deal With ViacomCBS & MTV Entertainment Studios", "Mini About Hero Lawman Bass Reeves In Works At HBO With Morgan Freeman, Lori McCreary & James Pickens Producing", "Bass Reeves Series 'Twin Territories' From Morgan Freeman's Revelations & 'Hand Of God' Creator Ben Watkins In Works At Amazon", "Amazon Studios Lands Biopic on Bass Reeves, First Black U.S. Deputy Marshal, From 'The Rider' Helmer Chlo Zhao", "U.S. Reeves methods of enforcement were somewhat unorthodox. Introducing 'Bass Reeves,' a 'Yellowstone' Spinoff, 'Yellowstone' Season 5 Is "Gonna Be Bloody", Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Given the 30-odd years he spent as a ranger, this is quite a remarkable achievement. If you didnt think the .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}Yellowstone extended universe of shows could get any more confusing, well, youd lose that bet today. Most people also know that the portrayal of Tonto as the Lone Rangers sidekick is often stereotypical and racist. Reeves was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame in 2013; he's had bronze statues erected in his likeness, and a bridge in Oklahoma now bears his name. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. Reeves County in West Texas is named for him. Interest was, With a budget of $250 million, this summers Disney movie, The Lone Ranger, will be. He just needed a way inso he came up with a devious plan. After refusing to surrender, Reeves killed Dozier in a gunfight on December 20, 1878.In 1882 Bass Reeves arrested outlaw [12] Belle Starr for horse theft, but some say that Belle Starr turned herself in when she heard that Bass Reeves was looking for her. As noted in Art Burtons 2006 book, Black Gun, Silver Star, Reeves has been known to historians for quite some time and was even mentioned in Larry McMurtrys 1997 novel Zeke and Ned. But Reeves is left out of the picture in S.W. His expeditions often lasted for several months and involved riding through rough terrain, living wherever he could find lodging, and risking his life taking on the toughest outlaws in the west. Moreso, they knew that he would get the job done cleanly and fairly. Reeves brought in some of the most dangerous fugitives of the time; he was never wounded despite having his hat and belt shot off on separate occasions. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 Deputy U.S. Brother of UFN Washington and Jane Reeves, Bass Reeves was born into slavery in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. This didnt hold him back in the slightest. Most people know that. Bass Reeves Born about Jul 1838 in Crawford, Arkansas, United States Son of [father unknown] and Parilee Washington Stewart [sibling (s) unknown] Husband of Nellie (Jennie) Reeves married about 1864 in Arkansas, United States Husband of Winnie (Sumter) Reeves married 1900 in Muskogee,Oklahoma,United States Descendants Adams, Jake Island, Andy Alton and one Smith, larceny.. After 1905, Reeves did not arrest as many white felons as he had earlier in his career, due to the large influx of white settlers into the territory and racial attitudes shifting. At others, he took on the guise of an outlaw. Bass Reeves was born a slave in Crawford County in July 1838. Thought to have been born in the summer of 1838, by the year 1880, Bass and Jennie Reeves had eight children: Sally, Robert, Harriet, Georgia, Alice, Newland, Edgar and Lula. Topping, James H. Mershon and Jacob T. Ayers. Born into slavery, the Arkansas native became a lauded, and legendary U.S. deputy marshal. And he got his man as often as any of the deputies. He would then memorize their details before striking out to pursue his target. When the altercation turned physical, Reeves released a well-deserved beatdown on the Colonel. Bass Reeves served as a valet for his masters son during THE CIVIL WAR. Marshals. During his time as a Deputy U.S. In May 1902, Reeves and Adams went to the town of Braggs, Cherokee Nation, to quell racial strife. He hung up the stirrups at 68 years oldso that he could become another kind of officer. As the years passed, the American government seized more and more territory. Bass Reeves (July 1838 January 12, 1910) was an American law enforcement official, historically noted as the first black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. In December 1878, Reeves served as a guard at Fort Smith for the executions of a Black man named James Diggs and an Indian named James Postoak, both for murder. Well, when Sheridan finished 1883, producers over at the Paramount Network were mighty angry that he wrote it so that there couldnt be a second season. When Reeves located the cabin of Christie in the Cherokee Nation, his posse burned it down, but Ned escaped capture and death. All face the same hardships and dangers.. Marshals. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from Life to Compact Cars and Trucks to A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius. Well get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics youre interested in. After the war, Bass Reeves settled down outside Van Buren, Arkansas, and maintained a horse ranch and small farm. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Well, the show was last announced as 1883: The Bass Reeves Story back in May 2022. By all accounts, he drew quickly and never missed his mark when the time came. Love the history behind my home town! He was apparently well dressed, with spit-polished boots and a striking, wide-brimmed hat on his head. He knew that every chase was potentially his last. So harsh, in fact, that he was given the nickname The Hanging Judge. The reason for this nickname isnt difficult to riddle out. The items will become property of the U.S. He died in 1910. A man could make a lot of money at itand Reeves was one of the best in the biz. [11], His great-great-grandson is former National Football League and Canadian Football League player Willard Reaves, while his great-great-great-grandsons are National Hockey League player Ryan Reaves and CFL player Jordan Reaves. It is unclear how, and exactly when, Bass Reeves escaped, but at some point during the Civil War, he gained his freedom. Many lawmen had tried to apprehend the outlaw, but none were successful until it came to Reeves. He also rode the Oklahoma range on a massive white stallion. Marshal badge and bullets that one belonged to U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. Reeves. 7: Caught in a Bad Romance, Brandon Sklenar is the Baddest Dutton of Them All, The 'Outer Banks' S3 Finale Is Intense as Hell. His likeness has appeared in at least seven television series, four films, a play, two board games, and at least six books. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. He does not know what fear is. This claim was backed up with hard evidence, as well soon discover. He tracked two outlaws to their mothers house in the Red River Valley. According to an Oklahoma news article in 1907, outlaws in the West had a habit of posting cards on their turf with warnings to certain deputies. At this time Bass was married to his wife, Jennie, who was also from Texas, and they had four children. Sebastian County Circuit Judge Jim Spears, now retired, is credited with leading an effort to prominently enshrine the folk hero in bronze. He liked to brag that there was never any crime reported on his beat. [1] When Bass was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. For a slave to hit his master in Texas was punishable by death. He took a job as a patrolman with the Muskogee Oklahoma Police Department. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Apparently, the six-foot lawman was a talented actor and took on a variety of aliases and disguises as he prowled outlaw country. Sadly, Reeves beloved wife, Nellie Jennie, passed in Fort Smith in 1896. Art T. Burton, a retired college history professor, has written four critically acclaimed history books on the American Western frontier. In the late 1870s, although Reeves was a deputy U.S. marshal, much of his work was as a posseman for other deputy U.S. marshals, including Robert J. We may never know exactly how many black men served as Deputy U.S. Marshals, a placard at the Historic Site reads. Im not sure he was too worried about it, though. Reeves is featured in the opening scene of HBO's award-winning series, Watchmen. Bass Reeves was born into slavery around 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. In 1900, at 62 years old, Reeves married for a second time. He often used aliases and disguises, a cowboy, farmer, gunslinger -- even a outlaw. Barton quotes many sources in his book, and many times Reeves is credited with bringing in about a dozen prisoners or more at a time from the Indian Territory to the District Courthouse in Fort Smith. According to the letter of the law, it didnt matter who they were. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. However, he didnt retire just yet. His estate came to less than $500. The only significant remains of the second fort [built in 1839] are the old stone Commissary Building and Judge Parker's Courtroom, which has been restored. It was pretty tame compared to his old beat, but at 68, that was probably for the best. "Bass Reeves Some have suggested a possible historical inspiration was Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy U.S. Fortunately, he managed to find love again several years later. He was not the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. Reeves was a deputy U.S . The cook didnt survive and Reeves went on trial for murder. [2][5] Reeves was initially assigned as a Deputy U.S. Not too many years before, he was the target of law enforcement officials himself. Reeves could not read or write, but he was a skilled detective, a master of disguise, and an expert tracker. Anything that could get him closer to his quarry. His children were named Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice. The Court Notes of the July 31, 1885, Fort Smith Weekly Elevator for example states Deputy Bass Reeves came in same evening with eleven prisoners, as follows: Thomas Post, one Walaska, and Wm. Marshals. As it turns out, the time to draw seemed to come up a lot. But what made him one of the best in the West was his smarts. Marshal west of the Mississippi river, who served in the Oklahoma and Arkansas territory in the mid-1800s and early 1900s. He beat the man BACK AND depending on what you read, either killed him or almost killed him. Here from 1875 until his death in 1896, the famous "Hanging Judge," Isaac C. Parker, presided over a court, keeping peace in the lawless territory. The actual number might shock you, however. Federal Judge Paul Brady and his wife Xernona were in Fort Smith on Monday (April 11) to donate a gun, U.S. When he retired in 1907, Reeves claimed to have arrested over 3,000 felons. Instead, he always tried to take everyone in alive. Other blacks were also appointed to this position: Dee Rogers, Bob Fortune, Bill Colbert, Neely Factor, Zeke Moore and Grant Johnson. In 1848, George was elected tax collector, and in 1850, he was elected sheriff of Grayson County. Reeves spent 30 years in the perilous job of a deputy U.S. marshal in Oklahoma's Indian Territory. Fortunately, it was a lucrative business. At this point, with a downtown Fort Smith statue of Reeves erected in 2012, along with several True West Magazine stories and a 1992 induction in the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, it would be peculiar if someone asks Whos Bass Reeves?. But they didnt stay there for 30 years, Spears said of the trio with Parkers Court. "Some say because Bass beat up George after a dispute in a card game. From a glance, Bass Reeves was the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the site for the national museum. (AP) The U.S. Though it hasnt been explicitly stated, many outlets have just been calling the series Bass Reeves. In 1890, he received an arrest warrant for an infamous Cherokee outlaw named Ned Christie. Marshal Bass Reeves was arguably the greatest lawman and gunfighter of the West, a man who served as a marshal for 32 years in the most dangerous district in the country, captured 3,000 felons, (once bringing in 17 men at one time), and shot 14 men in the line of duty, all without ever being shot himself. He became the first black man to work as a deputy west of the Mississippi River. . [2] He served for two years before he became ill and had to retire. Eventually, Reeves decided he had to fulfill his obligation personally. One account recalls how Bass Reeves and George Reeves had an altercation over a card game. Have you taken a DNA test? All were two years in age apart. He was an excellent shooter, but he took this talent to the next level: The lawman was completely ambidextrous. [5] He was an uncle of Paul L. Brady, the first African-American appointed a Federal Administrative Law Judge (in 1972). by Art T. Burton | Jan 25, 2021 | Features & Gunfights, This is the best known photograph of Deputy U.S. A little dose of karma eventually came down upon the Colonel. Hold your horses though, because theres no official release date for Bass Reeves just yet. Eventually, he moved to Arkansas where he settled down, got married, had 10 children and his knowledge of THE INDIAN territories and the fact that he spoke several native languages landed him a job as the first African-American U.S. (AP) The U.S. Unsurprisingly, Reeves took the task without complaint. He tried to apprehend the fugitive Jim Webb, who had been foreman on the Billy Washington Ranch in the Chickasaw Nation. Parker appointed James F. Fagan as U.S. [12] Ryan Reaves's grandfather changed the family name from Reeves to Reaves. [3] During the American Civil War, Bass parted company with George Reeves. Its no wonder he had such a tough reputation among outlaws and lawmen alike. After tracking the notorious outlaw, Reeves captured him without much of a struggle. Almost a year out from a planned opening of the new $60 million museum, it's the lawman's family tree the curator wants most. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. The question, however, opens up an opportunity to talk about one of the best stories around: Born into slavery in Crawford County; escaped servitude during the Civil War; possibly fought for the Union with the Keetoowah Cherokees; survived dozens of gunfights riding for Judge Isaac C. Parker as one of the first black U.S. deputy marshals west of the Mississippi; acquitted of murder for the death of his cook; arrested his son, Benjamin, for shooting his wife, Castella, in a jealous rage. But eventually, it came time for Bass Reeves to set out on his own. Born a slave in Arkansas, Reeves grew up in Grayson county, Texas, following the relocation of his owner, William S. Reeves. In 1871, the federal court and jail were moved to nearby Fort Smith. Reeves was 58 years old at the time. Research shows that he could shoot accurately with his Winchester rifle up to 500 yards or a quarter of mile, and he had several gunfights during which he shot felons at that distance. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. He grew up tending to chores and animals while his 'mammy' cooked and cleaned. Was Wyatt Earp Really a Deputy U.S. Reeves had a reputation as an expert in Indigenous languages with an intimate knowledge of the land. There is a monument dedicated to him. After it became one of the most popular shows on television, Paramount greenlit a prequel miniseries titled 1883. Reeves remained with this federal district until 1897, when he was transferred to the new Northern District of Indian Territory at Muskogee. At the age of 67, Bass Reeves retired from federal service at Oklahoma statehood in 1907. He and his family were owned by William Steele Reeves, who was originally from Hickman County, Tennessee. Marshal was abolished at that time, so he became an officer with the Muskogee Police Department, where he served for two years until he was forced to resign because of his declining health. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith has an impressive collection of guns and documents related to famed Deputy U.S. He served in the Indian Territory for 32 years. Thought to have been born in the summer of 1838, by the year 1880, Bass and Jennie Reeves had eight children: Sally, Robert, Harriet, Georgia, Alice, Newland, Edgar and Lula. Tragically, Reeves accidentally shot his cook on one of his trips into the Indian Territory in 1884. The legend of Bass Reeves will only continue to grow as more discover his story. The same news-paper reported Reeves in August 1883 bringing in 13 prisoners. Many claim this infamous lawmans exploits were the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger. Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 18:56, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, "Bass Reeves, the Most Feared U.S. Deputy Marshal", "Judge Paul L. Brady Retires from Job Safety Commission", "Reaves putting Kane feud aside, joining him for 'much bigger cause', "Rangers winger Ryan Reaves discovers the history behind the family name", "Was the Original 'Lone Ranger' a Black Man? During that era, he made one of his top arrests with the capture of the Seminole Indian fugitive known as Greenleaf in April 1890. [6], Reeves worked for thirty-two years as a Federal peace officer in the Indian Territory. He worked mostly in Arkansas and the Oklahoma Territory. At his trial in October 1887, Reeves was found innocent. Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. Reeves earned his reputation. prisoners. He served for two years, in that time there were no crimes on his beat. Though he had a hard reputation, Reeves was, by all accounts, a mild-mannered and polite man. Bass would travel west to Fort Sill, north to Fort Reno and sometimes Fort Supply, picking up and arresting felons who broke federal law in the Indian Territory. Bass Reeves and his family were slaves of Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. [5] Reeves had to arrest his own son for murder;[2] Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves was charged with the murder of his own wife. Reeves had sent a lot of men into Parkers chamber, most of whom had done terrible things. Its entirely possible that the show's Yellowstone interconnectedness drops off by the time it arrivesand we find ourselves with a Bass Reeves series that's entirely separate from Yellowstone. Evidently, she felt duped and betrayed by the heavily armed deputy. Fagan had heard about Reeves, who knew the Indian Territory and could speak several Indian languages. [2], In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and revolver, Reeves developed superior detective skills during his long career. Reeves had a beat in downtown Muskogee, during . When he arrived, various Indigenous peoples, including the Cherokee, Seminoles, and Creeks, took him in. http://politicalblindspot.com/the-real-lone-ranger-was-an-african-a https://www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/6408028-Police-His Geni requires JavaScript! Reeves was furiousand he had to take his anger out on something. Dozier was a cattle-rustler and stagecoach bandit with a seriously bad reputation. He was never KNOWN to make a mistake. Reeves, a deputy U.S. marshal, was one of many black law officers, sheriffs, deputies, and judges who helped keep law and order alive in the "Wild West.". One of Bass Reeves' warrants was for a notorious outlaw named Bob Dozier, who was wanted for a wide range of crimes from cattle and horse rustling, to holding up banks, stores, and stagecoaches to murder, and land swindles. After escaping his masters, Reeves traveled to Oklahoma, or Indian Territory, as it was known then. Despite his brutal methods, Reeves was an honorable man to his core. Later, Bass became a body servant to the son of William Reeves, Colonel George R. Bass Reeves is often called the 'greatest frontier hero in American history.' He was the first Black Deputy U.S. Since birth, he had witnessed the deepest and darkest parts of humanity. Deputy U.S. One of the most infamous men in Indian Territory went by the name Greenleaf. He beat the man BACK AND depending on what you read, either killed him or almost killed him. Director Isaiah Washington Writers Robert Johnson Isaiah Washington Stars Instead, he always asked somebody to read him the contents of the warrants that the Marshals presented to him. Being ambidextrous he always wore two Colt pistols and he rarely missed his mark. Williams son, Colonel George Reeves, was Basss legal owner. Marshal Bass Reeves featured in new Netflix film", "Isaiah Washington To Mark Feature Directorial Debut With 'Corsicana' Western", "2019 National Black Theatre Festival Brochure", Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bass_Reeves&oldid=1140977007, Historian Art Burton has said that Reeves was the inspiration for the character of the, In May 2012, a bronze statue of Reeves by Oklahoma sculptor Harold Holden was erected in Pendergraft Park in, Reeves is the subject of the season two episode four of, Reeves figures prominently in an episode of, In "The Murder of Jesse James", an episode of the television series, In "Everybody Knows", a season two episode of the television series, Reeves is mentioned in the plot of "The Royal Family", a season two episode of the television series, Reeves' status as one of the first black sheriffs plays a significant role as a childhood role model for the character of Will Reeves in the, Reeves is mentioned in season 3 episode 2 of the television series, Reeves features in the "Stressed Western" episode of, A miniseries based on Burton's 2006 biography (and co-produced by. Judge Parkers orders were to bring them in dead or alive. Over the course of his career, which began when he was in his fifties, mind you, Reeves brought in a tremendous 3,000 felons. Over an 18 year stint, Greenleaf reputedly had seven bodies on his handsand he showed no sign of backing down. Bynum Colbert, a Choctaw Freedmen, was a veteran of an Arkansas United States Colored Regiment of the Civil War and served seven years with the 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment post-Civil War. In this capacity, his familiarity with the land served him well. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Over a thirty-year career, he faced some of the most feared men in America. Later, Reeves was made the principal lawman for the large African American community in Muskogee, and he had several Black assistants in that role. [2], In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and pistol, Reeves, during his long career, developed superior detective skills. Kennedy pointed to racist sentiment on the part of incoming state officials, as well as the Congressional delegation and the incoming U.S. marshal when Oklahoma became a state in 1907 as reasons Reeves lost his job with the Marshals Service. Greenleaf had been on the run for 18 years and had murdered three white men and four Indians and had never been arrested. Reeves unemployment did not last long because, at the start of the new year in 1908, he was hired as a Muskogee city policeman and given a beat downtown. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? Bass Reeves: Lawman, gunslinger, trail-blazer. He was one of Judge Parker's most valued deputies. The Lone Ranger has appeared in thousands of radio episodes, hundreds of television episodes, hundreds of comic books, six films, and dozens of novels. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. The marshal tracked him down and made him an offerand so began a whirlwind tale of adventure, courage, and cold-blooded lawmaking. Colbert began his tenure as a deputy U.S. marshal with the Fort Smith federal court in 1872, three years before Bass Reeves commission. [6] Reeves served in that district until 1893, when he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas. In fact, the Oklahoma City Weekly Times Journal once reported that Reeves was never known to show the slightest excitement, under any circumstance. Many historians believe that Reeves would later go on to be partial inspiration for the Lone Ranger. So, this semi-biographical series about a real guy is going to be part of the Yellowstone series? Reeves lived in the protection of his new communities and learned their languages for the next several years. Other than a few scrapes and bruises, Reeves made it through his career entirely unscathed. Please reach out to us to let us know what youre interested in reading. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. On one occasion, the ranger was facing off with an outlaw who drew on him. It didnt take a genius to get to the bottom of this one.
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