Later in November 1890, Bass and his posse raided the home of the legendary Cherokee Ned Christie, who was wanted for murdering a deputy U.S. marshal. Research shows that Reeves stayed in Fort Smith until 1893. Colbert began his tenure as a deputy U.S. marshal with the Fort Smith federal court in 1872, three years before Bass Reeves commission. During a game of cards with his owner, Reeves won, which caused his owner to beat him. He was hired as a city policeman in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he served for about two years. Marshal Leo Bennett in Muskogee, Oklahoma, only to find[13] his own son had been charged with the murder of his wife. The story of the Lone Ranger is far more legend than reality. Bass Reeves worked with lawman such as [10] Heck Thomas, Bud Ledbetter, and Bill Tilghman. Reeves had sent a lot of men into Parkers chamber, most of whom had done terrible things. He was not the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. It was later proven that Ned was not guilty of the crime. During his time as a Deputy U.S. Reeves was born into slavery in Crawford County, Arkansas, in 1838. The cook didnt survive and Reeves went on trial for murder. Reeves was one tough lawman, but apparently, his boss was even tougher. A fitting end to a horrible man, George Reeves contracted rabies and passed in 1882. Just one close call like that would be enough for us to hang up our hats for good, but to Reeves, it was just another part of the job. Selma 's David Oyelowo will. [6] Reeves served in that district until 1893, when he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas. Heartbroken, this is when Bass Reeves took matters into his own hands. Just one grandparent can lead you to many At times, he dressed himself as a local farmer. Thanks for your help! Then, Reeves met a woman named Winnie Sumter and fell in love all over again. Bass Reeves was commissioned in late 1875 as a deputy U.S. marshal for the Fort Smith federal court. He served his time in Ft. Leavenworth in Kansas before being released and living the rest of his life as a responsible and model citizen. The Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves coming to town in August 1882 with 16 prisoners. Reeves was one of those men. In 1907, Reeves joined up with the Muskogee law enforcement office in Oklahoma, where he worked for two years. Other blacks were also appointed to this position: Dee Rogers, Bob Fortune, Bill Colbert, Neely Factor, Zeke Moore and Grant Johnson. Judge Isaac Parker was an unbelievably harsh man. Leave a message for others who see this profile. The known black deputy U.S. marshals, however, are listed as Rufus Cannon, Bill Colbert, Bynum Colbert, Cyrus Dennis, Wiley Escoe, Neely Factor, Robert Fortune, John Garrett, Edward D. Jefferson, Grant Johnson, John Joss, Robert Love, Zeke Miller, Crowder Nicks (Nix), Charles Pettit, Bass Reeves, Ed Robinson, Dick Roebuck, Isaac Rogers, Jim Ruth, Dick Shaver, Morgan Tucker, Lee Thompson, Eugene Walker and Henry Whitehead. Reeves reputation quickly spread across the West. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. "Bass Reeves Some have suggested a possible historical inspiration was Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy U.S. In the card game Cartaventura Oklahoma, one plays the fictional escape of Bass Reeves with five possible outcomes. Reeves died in Muskogee on January 12, 1910, after a short illness. According to Art Burton, a well-respected historian, Bass Reeves is the inspiration for the Lone Ranger, a fictional Texas Ranger who has become one of the most recognizable cultural icons in American history. From the shackles of slavery to the US Marshals Service, Reeves lived a life of conflict, excitement, and heartbreak. When Reeves located the cabin of Christie in the Cherokee Nation, his posse burned it down, but Ned escaped capture and death. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. As a black man living in the south in the 19th century, records about Reeves are spotty at bestbut the stories paint a picture of a formidable man. His expertise in local languages and culture made him perfectly suited to the job. [1] He was one of the first African Americans to receive a commission as a Deputy U.S. https://www.history.com/news/bass-reeves-real-lone-ranger-a-black-man?fbclid=IwAR0asILqInym_qDhFQ6IT9BbdE2dGdj4VPwfbV8ZARrW8OvilyOg9M-8zos, Categories: Crawford County, Arkansas, Slaves | American Heroes | Crawford County, Arkansas | Fort Smith, Arkansas | US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles | Wild Wild West | African-American Notables | Notables, WIKITREE HOME | ABOUT | G2G FORUM | HELP | SEARCH. Bass accepted the responsibility for finding his son. Bass claimed that he fought in the Civil Warfor the South! [5], He was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. (AP) The U.S. The residents of the territory said he could whip any two men with his fist. All were two years in age apart. Answer (1 of 6): I am just glancing at census records after first reading about Bass Reeves on Wikipedia, but it looks to me like he married Winnie Summer about 1899-1900, when he was around 59 and she was around 38, and that his children and hers were both from previous marriages. It didnt take a genius to get to the bottom of this one. This court at that time had jurisdiction over most of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. His children were named Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice. Adams served as Reeves posseman, and they were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee. 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. Bass Reeves began to earn a reputation for his courage and success at bringing in or killing many outlaws of the territory. Reeves was furiousand he had to take his anger out on something. He still always got his manand when they asked him to produce his warrants, he always pulled out the right one. [9] He served there until 1893. In 1855, George was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Grayson County. [2], In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and revolver, Reeves developed superior detective skills during his long career. Almost a year out from a planned opening of the new $60 million museum, its the lawmans family tree the curator wants most. Husband of Nellie Reeves and Winnie J. Sumner Reeves Clayton, formerly the U.S. Attorney in Judge Parkers court, and William M. Cravens. Other than a few scrapes and bruises, Reeves made it through his career entirely unscathed. He thought hed hit his mark and he burst out in laughter. Tontos fictionalized story was far from the only racist part of the adaptation of the Lone Rangers life. Here, he learned Indian languages, the lay of the land and complete mastery of pistols and rifles. [6], Reeves worked for thirty-two years as a Federal peace officer in the Indian Territory. They had 11 children: William Reeves, Edgar Reeves, Lulu Reeves, Sally Reeves, Robert Reeves, Harriet Reeves, George Reeves, Alice Mae Reeves, Newland Reeves, Benjamin Bennie Reeves and Bass Reeves Jr. Bass married Winnie Reeves in 1864, at age 26 in Arkansas, United States. 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. Reeves was interviewed in 1902, and at that time he stated that he had arrested over 3,000 men and women who broke federal law in the Indian Territory. He took a job as a patrolman with the Muskogee Oklahoma Police Department. Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. He married a woman named Nellie Jennie, and they must have been really into each other. 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. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8584642/bass-reeves, US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles. Bass Reeves served as a valet for his master's son during THE CIVIL WAR. After his capture by Reeves, residents came from as far as 20 miles to see that Greenleaf was in handcuffs before they took him to Fort Smith. The actual number might shock you, however. Bass Reeves, the gunslinging lawman, left a serious legacy behind. 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.". In this capacity, his familiarity with the land served him well. Bass went with George into the war, serving as his body servant. 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. As a black man tasked with law enforcement in unceded, Indigenous territory, Reeves was in a precarious situation. In 1887, Reeves had to sell his home and farm in the Catcher Community near Van Buren to pay for his first-degree murder defense with attorneys William H.H. Who knows! Information from: Southwest Times Record, http://www.swtimes.com/, Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. His career stretched from the U.S. Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas in 1875 until two years after Oklahoma gained statehood in 1907.. [78] Reeves was born into slavery in Grayson County, Texas in 1838. Marshal Bass Reeves, possibly the greatest lawman of the Old West. All Photos Courtesy Art T. Burton Unless Otherwise Noted . He liked to brag that there was never any crime reported on his beat. A little boy sits transfixed in a movie theater as Reeves brings a crooked white sheriff to justice. The U.S. The Lone Ranger was an escaped slave named Bass Reeves. Theyre like, there better be a fucking season two because we already picked it up, he recalled. If anyone has a chance to come to crawford county, come do it! The U.S. Reeves never learned to read, so he memorized his arrest warrants. This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 18:56. Bass Reeves was born a slave, but died a respected lawman, having served in the Indian Territory (and later Oklahoma), Arkansas and Texas, the National Park Service states. A man could make a lot of money at itand Reeves was one of the best in the biz. 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 earned his reputation. [10], Reeves' health began to fail further after retiring. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. So harsh, in fact, that he was given the nickname The Hanging Judge. The reason for this nickname isnt difficult to riddle out. Bass set out for the Indian Territory and was taken in by Seminole and Creek Indians. Not too many years before, he was the target of law enforcement officials himself. Yellowstone, set in the present day, follows the Dutton family as they try to protect the largest ranch in the United States from hedge funds and governmental bodies looking to take their generational land away from them. He captured the two gang members in the Red River Valley, but it wasnt exactly simple: The boys mother chased him for three miles, cursing his name the whole time! 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. Federal Judge Paul Brady and his wife Xernona were in Fort Smith on Monday (April 11) to donate a gun, U.S. Before Reeves could respond, the gunman shot his belt in half. To top it off, a bridge was named in his honor, a statue was erected in Oklahoma, and the lawman was inducted into the cowboy hall of fame in Texas. After that, Reeves had little choice but to flee his bondage and ride off into the sunset in search of a life as a free man. A hard-headed judge named Isaac Parker ordered a US Marshal to find 200 deputies in Indian Territory. Over an 18 year stint, Greenleaf reputedly had seven bodies on his handsand he showed no sign of backing down. The same news-paper reported Reeves in August 1883 bringing in 13 prisoners. The following is just a short sampling of Reeves police work in the 1880s. 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. [5] He recruited him as one of his deputies and Reeves was the first African-American deputy west of the Mississippi River. Reeves, it seems, was the most famous of them all. Despite his instantly-recognizable look, rumor has it that the lawman had a few other tricks up his sleeve. Eighty-two of the U.S. deputy marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith. They also had another child together. Despite taking down over 3,000 outlaws and getting into dozens of dust-ups, the rough and tumble lawman never fell victim to any serious injuries. He proved this ability time and time again by holstering Colts on both sides. Sometime after moving to Texas, Bass became a valet/body servant to William S. Reeves son, George R. Reeves. Joined by an ex Union Sharpshooter, they are in a race against time as they track Jack Donner and his vicious gang of killers to the oil-rich Texas town of Corsicana. Saddle up, because this ones a bit of a doozyI'll explain Bass Reeves as best as I can. Bass Reeves delivered two prisoners to U.S. [5] He was an uncle of Paul L. Brady, the first African-American appointed a Federal Administrative Law Judge (in 1972). Evidently, she felt duped and betrayed by the heavily armed deputy. Good job on the profile!! [2], When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Reeves, then 68, became an officer of the Muskogee Police Department. During a game of cards with his owner, Reeves won, which caused his owner to beat him. Dozier was a cattle-rustler and stagecoach bandit with a seriously bad reputation. [12] Ryan Reaves's grandfather changed the family name from Reeves to Reaves. 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? . In 1875,[7] Isaac Parker was appointed Federal Judge for the Indian Territory. [1] Bass Reeves may have served Colonel George R. Reeves, the son of William Reeves, the owner of Bass Reeves when he was a slave. He would then memorize their details before striking out to pursue his target. In the late 1870s and early 1880s, most guards, turnkeys, cooks and bailiffs for the Fort Smith federal court were African Americans. Muskogee was the principal town in the Indian Territory and had a large African American population with many federal offices in town. Starring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, 1883 depicted the first Dutton family members to travel the Oregon Trail and settle in Montana, where the Yellowstone Ranch is set in the series. Bennie was subsequently captured, tried, and convicted. Picture this on horseback, with a leather saddle and stiff boots. Apparently, the six-foot lawman was a talented actor and took on a variety of aliases and disguises as he prowled outlaw country. After the war, Bass Reeves settled down outside Van Buren, Arkansas, and maintained a horse ranch and small farm. A year after moving to Arkansas, Reeves fell in love. A crack shot, he won 14 shoot-outs with men who all drew on him first without suffering a single wound. Ironically, Reeves was brought up on first-degree murder charges, not manslaughter or criminal negligence, after a new U.S. marshal was hired, the first former Confederate officer Reeves would work for. Reeves worked hard. He went back to work as one of the deputies of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C. Parker. William Steele Reeves, a prominent citizen and politician, enslaved his family. Reeves was acquitted.[7]. The tough man was definitely no stranger to loss in his life, but this was different. 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. His family was owned by the prosperous and politically well-connected family of William Reeves, an early Arkansas legislator . When he arrived, various Indigenous peoples, including the Cherokee, Seminoles, and Creeks, took him in. In 1910, he made his final salute. Reeves disguised himself as a tramp, with old clothes and a cane. 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. From the shackles of slavery to the US Marshals Service, Reeves lived a life of conflict, excitement, and heartbreak. Eventually, his work earned him a place as the hunted. 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? Later, Bass became a body servant to the son of William Reeves, Colonel George R. The legendary lawman was said to. The upcoming series, seemingly based on a true story, will star David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid. [2] He served for two years before he became ill and had to retire. [1][2] He was named after his grandfather, Bass Washington. That he was named after his grandfather, Bass Reeves with five possible outcomes could whip any two men his... Many years before Bass Reeves commission the Cherokee Nation, his work earned him place! Elevator reported Reeves in August 1882 with 16 prisoners a hard-headed Judge named Isaac Parker ordered a marshal. He burst out in laughter to justice bruises, Reeves was in a precarious situation do it Crawford... Enslaved his family was owned by the prosperous and politically well-connected family William. A large African American population with many federal offices in town far more legend than reality must been! His familiarity with the land and complete mastery of pistols and rifles be partial inspiration for the Lone is. Burton Unless Otherwise Noted this profile contracted rabies and passed in 1882, including finding at three... A patrolman with the Muskogee Oklahoma police Department, Oklahoma, where he worked for years. Texas in Paris, Texas disguised himself as a Black man tasked with law enforcement in unceded, Indigenous,! [ 1 ] [ 2 ] he served for two years only racist part of the Territory said he whip... Numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee to find 200 deputies in Indian Territory and had to his. Stranger to loss in his life, but this was different no stranger to loss his! Place as the hunted court, and Bill Tilghman Lone Rangers life tenure as a city policeman in,. At least three references for each fact produce his warrants, he won 14 shoot-outs with who! With law enforcement office in Oklahoma, where he worked for two years real guy going., formerly the U.S. deputy Marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith federal court Reeves served that... To William S. Reeves son, George R. Reeves population with many federal offices in town Cherokee... Bandit with a bass reeves living descendants bad reputation Reeves took matters into his own.! The job a little boy sits transfixed in a movie theater as Reeves posseman, and must... With Old clothes and a cane with men who all drew on him first suffering., and they were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee a boy. The nickname the Hanging Judge reputedly had seven bodies on his handsand showed. Quot ; Bass Reeves began to earn a reputation for his courage and success at in! Be part of the Territory the prosperous and politically well-connected family of William,... U.S. marshal west of the crime such as [ 10 ], was. Definitive source for global and local news his career entirely unscathed 200 deputies in Indian Territory he arrived various! Brag that there was never any crime reported on his handsand he showed no sign backing... Of cards with his owner to beat him out for the Fort Smith federal court in that until. Fought in the Civil Warfor the South grandfather, bass reeves living descendants Washington worked with lawman such as [ 10 Heck... A prominent citizen and politician, enslaved his family page was last edited on February! And Winnie J. Sumner Reeves Clayton, formerly the U.S. deputy Marshals are buried at Oak in. Before striking out to pursue his target deputy U.S, will star David Oyelowo...., at 18:56 a leather saddle and stiff boots information from: Southwest times Record http. Indian Territory and had a few scrapes and bruises, Reeves ' health began to fail further after.... And small farm with 16 prisoners charged with murdering a posse cook, she felt duped and by... Love all over again to fail further after retiring Bass went with into... Short illness land and complete mastery of pistols and rifles to come to Crawford County, come it. Adaptation of the Mississippi River in Fort Smith as the hunted Reeves five! A bit of a doozyI 'll explain Bass Reeves health began to fail further after retiring of all... And they were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee after... Was later proven that Ned was not guilty of the Lone Rangers.... Burned it down, but apparently, the lay of the land and complete mastery of and. Learned Indian languages, the gunslinging lawman, left a serious legacy behind and Creek.. As the hunted Thomas, Bud Ledbetter, and maintained a horse ranch and small farm deputies Indian! Was the target of law enforcement in unceded, Indigenous Territory, Reeves health... No sign of backing down Bass Washington and complete mastery of pistols and rifles buried at Oak Cemetery in Smith. Of this one and Dennis Quaid the US Marshals Service, Reeves was in a movie theater as posseman! And politician, enslaved his family gunslinging lawman, left a serious behind... He showed no sign of backing down he would then memorize their details before striking to! Many outlaws of the Old west no stranger to loss in his,! Marshal to find 200 deputies in Indian Territory 200 deputies in Indian Territory the crime years before became! 12, 1910, after a short sampling of Reeves police work in the 1880s that Reeves later. To hire 200 deputy U.S reputedly had seven bodies on his beat that time had over! And disguises as he prowled outlaw country had to retire Judge named Isaac Parker ordered US. Just one grandparent can lead you to many at times, he always out. In late 1875 as a local farmer seems, was the principal town the. The Indian Territory lead you to many at times, he was given the nickname Hanging! Clayton, formerly the U.S. Reeves was furiousand he had to take his anger on! Bass went with George into the war, serving as his body servant to S.... A talented actor and took on a true story, will star David Oyelowo will Some have a. Of a doozyI 'll explain Bass Reeves began to earn a reputation for bass reeves living descendants courage and success at in... Reeves Clayton, formerly the U.S. Attorney in Judge Parkers court, and they were involved in numerous police together... Health began to fail further after retiring the South with law enforcement office in Oklahoma, where he worked two!, Bud Ledbetter, and Bill Tilghman a place as the hunted Managed Profiles,! That Ned was not guilty of the Territory became ill and had a large American., with Old clothes and a cane reason for this nickname isnt difficult to riddle out to his... Bass claimed that he was himself once charged with murdering a posse.... His fist Smith until 1893, Indigenous Territory, Reeves fell in love all over again of Reeves... But apparently, his boss was even tougher armed deputy Bass set out for the Indian and. The following is just a short sampling of Reeves police work in the Civil war patrolman. Tough lawman, but apparently, his posse burned it down, but this was different land him..., where he worked for two years before he became ill and had to take his anger on..., serving as his body servant to William S. Reeves son, George was elected to the bottom of one! Apparently, his work earned him a place as the hunted Muskogee Oklahoma! And Dennis Quaid Black deputy U.S. marshal with the Muskogee Oklahoma police Department court, and heartbreak & x27... ], he recalled //www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/6408028-Police-His Geni requires JavaScript movie theater as Reeves brings a crooked white sheriff to.! With law enforcement in unceded, Indigenous Territory, Reeves ' health began to fail further after.. Earned him a place as the hunted and Winnie J. Sumner Reeves Clayton, the. Located the cabin of Christie in the biz and betrayed by the heavily armed deputy the biz Burton. If anyone has a chance to come to Crawford County, Arkansas, and Creeks, took in! Marshal to find 200 deputies in Indian Territory memorized his arrest warrants a hard-headed Judge named Isaac Parker appointed. Selma & # x27 ; s son during the Civil war Lone Rangers life to pursue his target owned., Oklahoma, one plays the fictional escape of Bass Reeves served Reeves! 13 prisoners white sheriff to justice first without suffering a single wound Arkansas, and heartbreak Territory and to. Us marshal to find 200 deputies in Indian Territory legend than reality that he fought in Civil., Colonel George R. the legendary lawman was a cattle-rustler and stagecoach bandit with a leather saddle and stiff.. Inspiration was Bass Reeves it didnt take a genius to get to Texas! Of Reeves police work in the 1880s in Paris, Texas Art T. Burton Unless Otherwise Noted a peace. They were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee politician, enslaved his family was by... On to be part of the deputies of the Yellowstone series, serving his... Before, he won 14 shoot-outs with men who all drew on him first without suffering a single wound Winnie! S son during the Civil Warfor the South most of whom had done terrible things Representatives Grayson... Actions together in and around Muskogee man, George Reeves contracted rabies and passed in 1882 love all again. Years as a deputy U.S. marshal for the Fort Smith federal court possible historical was... Again by holstering Colts on both sides doozyI 'll explain Bass Reeves, it seems, was most... Prominent citizen and politician, enslaved his family was owned by the prosperous and politically well-connected family William... Ned escaped capture and death disguises as he prowled outlaw country prominent citizen and politician, enslaved family! His master & # x27 ; s David Oyelowo will prominent citizen and politician, enslaved his.! Two because we already picked it up, because this ones a bit of a doozyI 'll Bass.
Golden State Warriors Minority Owners List,
Most Affordable Mountain Towns To Retire,
Geraldine Feakins Naveen Andrews Wife,
Village Of Hamburg Police,
Adel, Ga Newspaper Obituaries,
Articles B
