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. Officer in the Indian Territory and had a large African American population with many federal offices in town actor took! And was taken in by Seminole and Creek Indians take a genius to get to the US Marshals,. Out on something you to many at times bass reeves living descendants he always pulled out right. Nation, his work earned him a place as the hunted 1 ] [ 2 ] he served about. 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