Bass Reeves served as a valet for his masters son during THE CIVIL WAR. As one of the most respected lawmen working in Indian Territory, he achieved legendary status for the number of criminals he captured. Its a sequel to a prequel (of sorts), but it can still be viewed and enjoyed separate from Yellowstone. 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. Tom Wing, history professor with the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, feels that Reeves was so well respected by local lawmen that he was offered a light duty job with the Muskogee Police Department. Most people know that. . Clayton, formerly the U.S. Attorney in Judge Parkers court, and William M. Cravens. He was an excellent shooter, but he took this talent to the next level: The lawman was completely ambidextrous. Just one grandparent can lead you to many However, the ranger never drew his weapon first. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. 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. Reeves was over six feet tall and sported a thick black handlebar mustache. It was later proven that Ned was not guilty of the crime. 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.. [2] Once he had to arrest his own son for murder. After the war, Bass Reeves settled down outside Van Buren, Arkansas, and maintained a horse ranch and small farm. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. An article suggests that Bass Reeves may have been the inspiration for the "Lone Ranger" --. Eventually, his work earned him a place as the hunted. No story of the conflict of government's officers with those outlaws, which ended only a few years ago with the rapid filling up of the territory with people, can be complete without mention of the Negro who died yesterday. Its probably fair to say that Bass himself wasnt too broken up when he heard the news. Later, Reeves was made the principal lawman for the large African American community in Muskogee, and he had several Black assistants in that role. After some malfeasance and misappropriations of federal funds, William Story was fired as the judge of the Western District of Arkansas federal court at Fort Smith. The residents of the territory said he could whip any two men with his fist. However, he didnt retire just yet. From 1920-1970, Kennedy explained, the name Bass Reeves, as well as those of Grant Foreman and Robert Fortune were forgotten outside the circle of family and local history. Bass Reeves began to earn a reputation for his courage and success at bringing in or killing many outlaws of the territory. Well, the show was last announced as 1883: The Bass Reeves Story back in May 2022. More U.S. marshals died in service while hunting down fugitives in the Western District of Arkansas than any other place. 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. Marshal, lives on. They would later have 11 children in the household. There was a fine line between lawmen and outlaws in the Old West, and sometimes, men crossed it. In 1848, George was elected tax collector, and in 1850, he was elected sheriff of Grayson County. (Fort Smith National Historic Site. 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. Bass Reeves is often called the 'greatest frontier hero in American history.' He was the first Black Deputy U.S. Reeves was acquitted.[7]. But theres one last twist in this story: Bennie received a pardon in 1914. After 1900, Muskogee had city police, with two deputy U.S. marshals stationed there, Bass Reeves and a white man David Adams. Oklahoma became a state in 1907. 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. Reeves did one thing, and he did it very well: He tracked down outlaws on the lam. The Fort Smith National Historic Site has a room dedicated to the history of black lawmen and local military units. In 1909, the tough lawman finally came across an enemy that he couldnt best: Brights Disease. [6] Reeves served in that district until 1893, when he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas. He married a woman named Nellie Jennie, and they must have been really into each other. The new deputy must have been an unmistakable figure in the Old West. As the first Black deputy west of the Mississippi River, Reeves arrested more than . 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. [11] The United States Court at Fort Smith, was the largest in the nation. The upcoming series, seemingly based on a true story, will star David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid. [5], Reeves and his family farmed until 1875, when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. Most marshals were afraid to take the caseno one wanted to track down the son of the infamous Bass Reeves. Reeves was a deputy U.S . Reeves son, Benjamin Reeves, strayed from the family tree and ran into serious trouble with the law. As early as 1867 there was a posse out of Van Buren, Arkansas, sent to investigate a stagecoach robbery at Atoka, Choctaw Nation, that was led by a deputy U.S. marshal named Negro Smith. The men with a $5,000 bounty on their heads woke up in handcuffs. 14 were shot in self-defense. 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will be so different as it will focus on the historical figure Bass Reeves, an enslaved man turned U.S. Bass Reeves was the first black man to be appointed a U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi. [5], One of his sons was charged with the murder of his wife. Reeves was one of those men. To be fair, it was back when George Reeves still owned him, so he didnt have much of a choice. This didnt hold him back in the slightest. Bass Reeves worked with lawman such as [10] Heck Thomas, Bud Ledbetter, and Bill Tilghman. As a black man tasked with law enforcement in unceded, Indigenous territory, Reeves was in a precarious situation. They sheltered him from lawmen who sought to return him to slavery. In May 1902, Reeves and Adams went to the town of Braggs, Cherokee Nation, to quell racial strife. But, no matter how well the farm did, Bass Reeves was never meant to be a farmer. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. At his trial before Judge Parker, Reeves was represented by former United States Attorney W. H. H. Clayton, who had been his colleague and friend. He served 11 years at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas before his sentence was commuted; he reportedly lived the rest of his life as a model citizen. 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. Yes and yes. Bass Reeves: Lawman, gunslinger, trail-blazer. The Three Rivers Museum in Muskogee also has several artifacts from Reeves career as a lawman. Who knows! [1] When Bass was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. [a] During his long career, he had on his record more than 3,000 arrests of dangerous fugitives, and shot and killed 14 of them in self-defense. 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. Bass dragged his son into the courtroom himself, and the judge convicted him. 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. The details of his sons doings were unpleasant. He was 62 tall and extraordinarily strong. Reeves's . Reeves couldnt stay on as a ranger forever. Eventually, Reeves decided he had to fulfill his obligation personally. Native Territory comprised most of what became Eastern Oklahoma on November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. Hold your horses though, because theres no official release date for Bass Reeves just yet. Reeves didnt just take it, though. Ryan Reaves, a professional hockey player from Winnipeg, is Basss great-great-great-grandson. 7: Caught in a Bad Romance, Brandon Sklenar is the Baddest Dutton of Them All, The 'Outer Banks' S3 Finale Is Intense as Hell. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. Anything that could get him closer to his quarry. Apparently, the six-foot lawman was a talented actor and took on a variety of aliases and disguises as he prowled outlaw country. While working as a water boy and field hand with his family as a youngster, Bass would originate and sing songs about guns, rifles, knives, robberies and killings. Reeves could not read or write, but he was a skilled detective, a master of disguise, and an expert tracker. 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. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. Some say the Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, was based on his life.[17]. Because Reeves spent his early years in enslavement, even as an adult man, he couldnt read. 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. [5][6][7][8], He was a great-uncle of Paul L. Brady, who became the first black man appointed as a federal administrative law judge in 1972. 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.". His likeness has appeared in at least seven television series, four films, a play, two board games, and at least six books. Though there were over 200 deputies to choose from in Indian Territory, marshals, judges, and district courts constantly turned to Bass Reeves because they knew that he would deliver results. Unlike the other shows, it will not focus on a single ranch or family dynamic, but on the life of an extraordinary man who was a legend of his time. Fortunately, it was a lucrative business. Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. setTimeout(function(){var t=document.createElement("script");t.setAttribute("src","https://sample.dragonforms.com/getEmbeddedClientScript.do?embeddedsite=TW_dispatch_nl"),t.setAttribute("type","text/javascript"),document.body.appendChild(t)},5); Become a subscriber today and youll recieve a new issue every month plus unlimited access to our full archive of backlogged issues. His family was owned by the prosperous and politically well-connected family of William Reeves, an early Arkansas legislator . Several bad men have gone to their long home for refusing to halt when commanded to by Bass.. Maybe a Dutton or two will show up, too. Reeves and his family were enslaved by Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. During that era, he made one of his top arrests with the capture of the Seminole Indian fugitive known as Greenleaf in April 1890. The round trip would be approximately 400 miles and would take one or two months, depending on high water in the rivers and creeks. He also learned tracking and other skills from the different Indian tribes. In total, he found at least twelve cards posted promising his demise. Then, he knocked on the door and asked for a place to rest. [3], As a freedman, Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. Though it hasnt been explicitly stated, many outlets have just been calling the series Bass Reeves. When Reeves faced trial, he was lucky enough to know the right people. Reeves was born into captivity in 1838. Working mainly the Arkansas and the Oklahoma Territory, Reeves would bring more than 3,000 dangerous criminals, outlaws, and murderers to justice - including his own son. So harsh, in fact, that he was given the nickname The Hanging Judge. The reason for this nickname isnt difficult to riddle out. Here, he learned Indian languages, the lay of the land and complete mastery of pistols and rifles. He and his family were owned by William Steele Reeves, who was originally from Hickman County, Tennessee. Reeves methods of enforcement were somewhat unorthodox. [5] He recruited him as a deputy; Reeves was the first black deputy to serve west of the Mississippi River. 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? BLOODY RECORD OF, Reeves Noted Secret Service Manhunter Dead Muskogee Okla Jan 12, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, 1836-1922. http://www.ifyouonlynews.com/videos/the-lone-ranger-was-real-and-he First black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. Most people also know that the portrayal of Tonto as the Lone Rangers sidekick is often stereotypical and racist. He also rode the Oklahoma range on a massive white stallion. In fact, the Oklahoma City Weekly Times Journal once reported that Reeves was never known to show the slightest excitement, under any circumstance. Many claim this infamous lawmans exploits were the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger. Marshal Bass Reeves. The U.S. At his trial in October 1887, Reeves was found innocent. Selmas David Oyelowo will star as Bass Reeves, alongside the recently announced Dennis Quaid as Deputy U.S. Marshall Sherrill Lynn. Bass occasionally would serve as a guide into the Indian Territory for Deputy U.S. For this reason, Reeves found unusual support from the inhabitants of the land he patrolled during his career. Director Isaiah Washington Writers Robert Johnson Isaiah Washington Stars Specifically fort smith where judge parkers court house is located. 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. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. . At Muskogee, Reeves worked under Leo E. Bennett, the former Indian agent for the Five Civilized Tribes, headquartered at the same town. 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. Im not sure he was too worried about it, though. But what made him one of the best in the West was his smarts. Marshals Bill Tilghman (1854-1924), Chris Madsen (1851-1944), and Heck Thomas (1850-1912). After he died the [16] Muskogee Phoenix wrote of the legendary lawman, In the history of the early days of Eastern Oklahoma the name of Bass Reeves has a place in the front rank among those who cleansed out the old Indian Territory of outlaws and desperadoes. The cook didnt survive and Reeves went on trial for murder. He died on January 12, 1910, of kidney disease. All face the same hardships and dangers.. Bass Reeves, the gunslinging lawman, left a serious legacy behind. Dave Kennedy, curator of collections and exhibits, said recently the museum is still in search of Bass . In 1855, George was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Grayson County. It must have made a lasting impression. For the next 11 years, Bennie Reeves sat in Fort Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. Bass went with George into the war, serving as his body servant. [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. 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. Leave a message for others who see this profile. Born a slave in Arkansas, Reeves grew up in Grayson county, Texas, following the relocation of his owner, William S. Reeves. He was also a black dude. The marshal tracked him down and made him an offerand so began a whirlwind tale of adventure, courage, and cold-blooded lawmaking. We may never know exactly how many black men served as Deputy U.S. Marshals, a placard at the Historic Site reads. The story of the Lone Ranger is far more legend than reality. [5], Reeves was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. [3], Later Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. 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. The series will star David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves, a real-life former slave who became the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi in the 1870s. Marshals office in Muskogee was downsized, and Reeves found himself out of work. This court at that time had jurisdiction over most of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. There is no indication of race on federal records. He was brought up on first-degree murder charges in January 1886 and relieved of duty. Other times, bullets took his hat from his head, buttons from his coat, and the reigns from his hands. Topping, James H. Mershon and Jacob T. Ayers. A man could make a lot of money at itand Reeves was one of the best in the biz. Fortunately, though, he had some connections. Fortunately, he had another useful skill. Reeves had a reputation as an expert in Indigenous languages with an intimate knowledge of the land. Muskogee was unique with two Black business districts that were thoroughly integrated and catered to the diverse population in the frontier town. His long muscular arms have attached to them a pair of hands that would do credit to a giant and they handle a revolver with the ease and grace acquired only after years of practice. Please add Bass to the American Heroes category. He knew that he would have to escape, so he went to what is Oklahoma today and found a HOME with the Seminole and Creek American Indians. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Despite being disturbed and deeply shaken by the incident, Reeves nonetheless insisted on the responsibility of bringing Bennie to justice. Have you taken a DNA test? He grew up tending to chores and animals while his 'mammy' cooked and cleaned. His owners, the William S. Reeves family, moved to Grayson County, Texas, in 1846. Reeves never learned to read, so he memorized his arrest warrants. Reeves brought in some of the most dangerous criminals of the time, but was never wounded, despite having his hat and belt shot off on separate occasions. A hard-headed judge named Isaac Parker ordered a US Marshal to find 200 deputies in Indian Territory. Marshal badge and bullets that one belonged to U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. [78] Reeves was born into slavery in Grayson County, Texas in 1838. Gibson, assault with intent to kill; Arthur Copiah, Abe Lincoln, Miss Adeline Grayson and Sally Copiah, alias Long Sally, introducing whiskey in Indian country; J.F. (He appears to. Later, he was killed by a large federal posse in 1892, never to prove his innocence. Marshals Museum. Bass Reeves was involved in the "Wild, Wild West," part of the westward expansion of the United States. A crack shot, he won 14 shoot-outs with men who all drew on him first without suffering a single wound. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. 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. After it became one of the most popular shows on television, Paramount greenlit a prequel miniseries titled 1883. Parker appointed James F. Fagan as U.S. marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. marshals. Many claim this infamous lawman's exploits were the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger. Reeves must not have slept. This appointment was made by Judge Isaac C. Parker in May of 1975. There was a movie made in his honor. Over his long career as a lawman, the mustachioed slinger racked up a body count of 14 men. 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. Nellie was the mother of all 10 of his children. It sat on his desk for two days while he decided what to do. The same news-paper reported Reeves in August 1883 bringing in 13 prisoners. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. At others, he took on the guise of an outlaw. This chronic kidney affliction managed to do what no man in the West was able to do and forced Reeves to stop working. Marshal west of the Mississippi river, who served in the Oklahoma and Arkansas territory in the mid-1800s and early 1900s. They also had another child together. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. It focuses on the true story of a little-known marshal who patrolled the old Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. After five years and several hundred thousand dollars in fundraising, Spears and his committee saw the unveiling of the large bronze Bass Reeves Legacy Monument by H. Holden at Ross Pendergraft Park in downtown Fort Smith in May 2012. 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. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 Deputy U.S. Other blacks were also appointed to this position: Dee Rogers, Bob Fortune, Bill Colbert, Neely Factor, Zeke Moore and Grant Johnson. Bass Reeves was born into slavery around 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. Picture this on horseback, with a leather saddle and stiff boots. Oklahoma on November 16, 1907, when he transferred to the diverse population in the Oklahoma Arkansas! 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