Parker appointed James F. Fagan as U.S. marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. marshals. The Three Rivers Museum in Muskogee also has several artifacts from Reeves career as a lawman. Abolitionists in the Indian Territory harbored him until it was safe to move. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. Bass Reeves served as a valet for his masters son during THE CIVIL WAR. [2] Once he had to arrest his own son for murder. [2], In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and revolver, Reeves developed superior detective skills during his long career. In 1897, he was transferred again, serving at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Native Territory. Nellie was the mother of all 10 of his children. Just saw the movie. . Reeves had plenty of shooting to do without the turkeys. The cook didnt survive and Reeves went on trial for murder. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. [2] He served for two years before he became ill and retired. [5] Reeves had to arrest his own son for murder;[2] Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves was charged with the murder of his own wife. 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. 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. However, the ranger never drew his weapon first. In this capacity, his familiarity with the land served him well. Before Reeves could respond, the gunman shot his belt in half. During a game of cards with his owner, Reeves won, which caused his owner to beat him. This chronic kidney affliction managed to do what no man in the West was able to do and forced Reeves to stop working. 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. [13], In 1992, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.[43]. Word of the relationship somehow got out. During that time he was sent to arrest some of the most desperate characters that ever infested Indian Territory and endangered life and peace in its borders. The St. Louis Globe Democrat in October 1885 reported that Reeves had arrested 17 felons in the Indian Territory and brought them to Fort Smith. Legend has it that Reeves ended up getting into a serious confrontation with his master over a card game in 1861. Muskogee was unique with two Black business districts that were thoroughly integrated and catered to the diverse population in the frontier town. Most marshals were afraid to take the caseno one wanted to track down the son of the infamous Bass Reeves. One day, a posse cook caught a bullet from Reeves trusty Colt while the lawman was cleaning it. On one occasion, the ranger was facing off with an outlaw who drew on him. (AP) The U.S. When the amendment passed, he moved to Arkansas and became a small-time farmer. Marshal Bass Reeves. He was barred from competitive turkey shoots, although he always claimed to be only fair with a rifle. Its a sequel to a prequel (of sorts), but it can still be viewed and enjoyed separate from Yellowstone. Reeves earned his reputation. Introducing 'Bass Reeves,' a 'Yellowstone' Spinoff, 'Yellowstone' Season 5 Is "Gonna Be Bloody", Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Taken by his owner, George Reeves, to join the Civil War. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 Deputy U.S. While living with the Indians, Bass learned to speak and understand the different Indian languages. 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. Claude Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Advertising and Promotion Commission and a member of the U.S. Marshals Museum. FORT SMITH, Ark. Reeves, it seems, was the most famous of them all. Reeves was quicker and dropped the outlaw. Reeves was furiousand he had to take his anger out on something. 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. [2][5] He is said to have shot and killed fourteen outlaws to defend his own life. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8584642/bass-reeves, US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles. [1] It appears plausible that Reeves was kept in bondage by William Steele Reeves's son, Colonel George R. Reeves -- a Texan sheriff, legislator, and one-time Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives until his death from rabies in 1882. From judges to supervising marshals, nobody took issue with Reevesexcept, of course, for outlaws. Im sitting here going, Guys, everyone is dead. 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will be another peek inside that era. The Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves bringing in 12 prisoners in April 1884. He also rode the Oklahoma range on a massive white stallion. It didnt take a genius to get to the bottom of this one. In May 1881, Reeves made his first trip to Detroit, Michigan, to the House of Corrections, along with five other deputies transporting 21 prisoners by train via St. Louis. 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. Bass got so upset at being cheated, he beat his master down and knocked him out. After serving as a valiant marshals deputy, Reeves worked as a policeman in Muskogee for two years, 1907-1909. He went back to work as one of the deputies of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C. Parker. Bass Reeves will be executive produced by Sheridan, David Oyelowo, Jessica Oyelowo, David Permut, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari.MTV Entertainment Studios, Sheridan's Bosque Ranch . In 1848, George was elected tax collector, and in 1850, he was elected sheriff of Grayson County. And The Three Guardsmen was a name given to a group who became legendary in their pursuit of many outlaws of the late 19th century: Deputy U.S. There must be something in the family genes, because a number of Reeves descendants have left serious marks of their own. The deputies' job was to clean up the Indian Territory. Reeves was born in Crawford County, in Northwest Arkansas, around 1838. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, July 1838 - Crawford County, United States, Ozoliiiulsioii Co., ; IS Pearl at., New York. Born into slavery, the Arkansas native became a lauded, and legendary U.S. deputy marshal. The story of the Lone Ranger is far more legend than reality. Bass claimed that he fought in the Civil Warfor the South! 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? Spears also agreed with the National Park Service notes that point out that although Reeves is often credited with as many as 3,000 arrests and as many as 20 outlaws killed in the name of the law, the numbers have to be used with historical caution. Kennedy said they have only been able to verify five people were killed by Reeves, including his cook, which was most likely an accident. Topping, James H. Mershon and Jacob T. Ayers. Over a thirty-year career, he faced some of the most feared men in America. But, no matter how well the farm did, Bass Reeves was never meant to be a farmer. Bass Reeves was commissioned in late 1875 as a deputy U.S. marshal for the Fort Smith federal court. For example, his grand-nephew, Paul L. Brady, a prominent civil rights activist, became the first black administrative law judge in 1972. Selmas David Oyelowo will star as Bass Reeves, alongside the recently announced Dennis Quaid as Deputy U.S. Marshall Sherrill Lynn. For four years, the lawman mourned the passing of his beloved Nellie. Selma 's David Oyelowo will. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. For the next 11 years, Bennie Reeves sat in Fort Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. Bass Reeves was born a slave. Adams served as Reeves posseman, and they were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee. In the card game Cartaventura Oklahoma, one plays the fictional escape of Bass Reeves with five possible outcomes. Early in the war, the 11th Texas Cavalry Regiment fought at the Battle of Chustenahlah in the Indian Territory and the Battle of Pea Ridge, also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern. Deputy U.S. Law and order in the Wild West was not a pretty thing. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. [2][5] He killed 14 outlaws to defend his life. Reeves and his posse burned Christies home to the ground. Reeves remained with this federal district until 1897, when he was transferred to the new Northern District of Indian Territory at Muskogee. Tontos fictionalized story was far from the only racist part of the adaptation of the Lone Rangers life. He hunted his son down and clapped him in irons. He was not the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. The deputy lawman found himself on the wrong side of the law in 1887. Spears said Bill Black presented the idea for a Bass Reeves statue after Spears effort for a statue of President Zachary Taylor did not get traction. According to the letter of the law, it didnt matter who they were. 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. He died on January 12, 1910, of kidney disease. [3], Later Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. He thought hed hit his mark and he burst out in laughter. Despite running up against hardened crooks, the 200-pound, six-foot slinger apparently never wavered. Father of Benjamin Bass Reeves; Homer Reeves; Robert Reeves; Newland Reeves; Edgar Reeves and 8 others; Sally Reeves; Harriet Reeves; Georgia Reeves; Alice Reeves; Lula Reeves; Bass Reeves, Jr.; George Reeves and Private less Marshal, he arrested 3,000 outlaws and killed 14 men. When those old gunfighters are sittin around up there in Valhalla discussing who was the, The real law-and-order heros long and Winding road to cinematic and television fame. Though he successfully caught the outlaws, Reeves did not escape from his infiltration unscathed. He proved this ability time and time again by holstering Colts on both sides. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. Marshals Museum. Despite being disturbed and deeply shaken by the incident, Reeves nonetheless insisted on the responsibility of bringing Bennie to justice. Reeves was a deputy U.S . He was never KNOWN to make a mistake. President Ulysses S. Grant appointed a U.S. congressman from Missouri named Isaac C. Parker to take over the Fort Smith federal court in March 1875. 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. However, Bass Reeves certainly liked to tell a tall tale, and his descendants have since said that these claims were false. In January 2007, the U.S. 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. http://politicalblindspot.com/the-real-lone-ranger-was-an-african-a https://www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/6408028-Police-His Geni requires JavaScript! Unsurprisingly, Reeves took the task without complaint. Bass also served as bodyguard, coachman and butler. Picture this on horseback, with a leather saddle and stiff boots. Marshals Bill Tilghman (1854-1924), Chris Madsen (1851-1944), and Heck Thomas (1850-1912). [3], When the American Civil War began, George Reeves joined the Confederate Army, forcing Bass to go with him. Bass Reeves, a former slave, fiercely defended the Old West during his 32-year tenure as deputy U.S. marshal. It is unclear how, and exactly when, Bass Reeves escaped, but at some point during the Civil War, he gained his freedom. . (Reference unknown). After a citizens petition and an exemplary prison record, his son was pardoned and was never in trouble with the law again. And he got his man as often as any of the deputies. He recruited Bass Reeves as one of his deputies because of his knowledge of the territory and tribes. Reeves was one tough lawman, but apparently, his boss was even tougher. He was given the name of his owner, William Reeves. 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. [12] Ryan Reaves's grandfather changed the family name from Reeves to Reaves.

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