Oklahoma became a state in 1907. He was brought up on first-degree murder charges in January 1886 and relieved of duty. Marshal Reeves was disturbed and shaken by the incident but demanded to accept the responsibility of bringing his son to justice. However, Bass Reeves certainly liked to tell a tall tale, and his descendants have since said that these claims were false. 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. He recruited Bass Reeves as one of his deputies because of his knowledge of the territory and tribes. We want our readers to trust us. 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. These are just a few of the incredible stories of a man who hunted down men nobody else could capture. One of the most infamous men in Indian Territory went by the name Greenleaf. The upcoming series, seemingly based on a true story, will star David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid. 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. He also learned tracking and other skills from the different Indian tribes. 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. During a game of cards with his owner, Reeves won, which caused his owner to beat him. Meet 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, which will star David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid. Bass Reeves made it impossible for anyone to overlook him as he embarked on a three-decade stint as a deputy lawman under one of the most cutthroat judges in the West. Well, the show was last announced as 1883: The Bass Reeves Story back in May 2022. He served in the Indian Territory for 32 years. When Reeves drew his warrant, Story drew his Coltbig mistake. Given the 30-odd years he spent as a ranger, this is quite a remarkable achievement. Bass was also taught tactics of disguise in riding horses and stealth in combat. Over an 18 year stint, Greenleaf reputedly had seven bodies on his handsand he showed no sign of backing down. Marshals. All were two years in age apart. So, when Reeves learned that his son was a wanted man, the lawman demanded the warrant. 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. 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? This was his first taste of work with the US government in an official capacity. Marshal credited with being the inspiration for The Lone Ranger. Reeves had a beat in downtown Muskogee, during . William Steele Reeves, a prominent citizen and politician, enslaved his family. He got close to the two sons, told tall tales of thievery, and waited. Reeves could not read or write, but he was a skilled detective, a master of disguise, and an expert tracker. 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. 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. In the show, that little boy is quickly ushered out of the movie theater by his terrified parents as the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre unfolds. Marshals Bill Tilghman (1854-1924), Chris Madsen (1851-1944), and Heck Thomas (1850-1912). Hold your horses though, because theres no official release date for Bass Reeves just yet. 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. Reeves County in West Texas is named for him. The actual number might shock you, however. Bass accepted the responsibility for finding his son. Reeves was one of those men. Adams, Jake Island, Andy Alton and one Smith, larceny.. 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. Josh Rosenberg is an entertainment writer living in Brooklyn, keeping a steady diet of one movie a day; his past work can be found at CBR, Spin, Insider, and on his personal blog at Roseandblog.com. [5], Reeves and his family farmed until 1875, when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. So what about Bass Reeves? "Bass Reeves Some have suggested a possible historical inspiration was Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy U.S. [5], One of his sons was charged with the murder of his wife. Over the course of his career, which began when he was in his fifties, mind you, Reeves brought in a tremendous 3,000 felons. Here, he learned Indian languages, the lay of the land and complete mastery of pistols and rifles. Spears is now leading an effort to erect a bronze statue of Judge Parker downtown. In 1872 the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas (which included 74,000 miles of Indian territory) established quarters in the former barracks building of Fort Smith. The U.S. One day, Benjamins wife suddenly passed under extremely suspicious circumstances. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. He caught over 3000 criminals in his career. 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. They were an unstoppable force and an immovable object, and there was only one way this was going to go down. 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. Despite his brutal methods, Reeves was an honorable man to his core. His likeness has appeared in at least seven television series, four films, a play, two board games, and at least six books. After the war, George was reelected to the Texas State Legislature, and at his death on September 5, 1882, he was Speaker of the House of Representatives for the State of Texas. Clayton, formerly the U.S. Attorney in Judge Parkers court, and William M. Cravens. In 1893, Bass Reeves was transferred to the Eastern District federal court at Paris, Texas. In a happy subplot to an often harrowing tale, the two stayed together for the rest of their lives. 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. 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. He was an excellent shooter, but he took this talent to the next level: The lawman was completely ambidextrous. He still always got his manand when they asked him to produce his warrants, he always pulled out the right one. For example, his grand-nephew, Paul L. Brady, a prominent civil rights activist, became the first black administrative law judge in 1972. At his trial before Judge Parker, Reeves claimed to have shot the man by mistake while cleaning his gun; he was represented by former United States Attorney W. H. H. Clayton, who was a colleague and friend. But for a man whose true story rivals Wild. Before Reeves could respond, the gunman shot his belt in half. The Lone Ranger has appeared in thousands of radio episodes, hundreds of television episodes, hundreds of comic books, six films, and dozens of novels. Reeves was also known to love racing his sorrell horse, and would go to extremes to serve writs. Bass Reeves began to earn a reputation for his courage and success at bringing in or killing many outlaws of the territory. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. As a ranger, Reeves was usually the hunter. Dozier was a cattle-rustler and stagecoach bandit with a seriously bad reputation. [5] He recruited him as one of his deputies and Reeves was the first African-American deputy west of the Mississippi River. In 1910, he made his final salute. 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.". Typically, local posses accompanied Reeves on his expeditions and stakeouts. Bass Reeves was born in Crawford County, Arkansas in 1838. [10], Reeves' health began to fail further after retiring. Selmas David Oyelowo will star as Bass Reeves, alongside the recently announced Dennis Quaid as Deputy U.S. Marshall Sherrill Lynn. Tragically, Reeves accidentally shot his cook on one of his trips into the Indian Territory in 1884. Reeves would take on any job, no matter how dangerous, so it didnt surprise anyone when he took on an arrest warrant for Tom Story. Judge Parker ruled on the situation and acquitted Reeves of all charges. The owner allowed Bass to use guns to hunt and learned that he was a crack shot. The Three Rivers Museum in Muskogee also has several artifacts from Reeves career as a lawman. As the first Black deputy west of the Mississippi River, Reeves arrested more than . I think Bass Reeves claim to fame is his persistence, and he bounced back after the murder trial.. Then, Reeves met a woman named Winnie Sumter and fell in love all over again. [5] Reeves had to arrest his own son for murder;[2] Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves was charged with the murder of his own wife. Have you taken a DNA test? A year after moving to Arkansas, Reeves fell in love. He once said he knew the Indian Territory like a cook knows her kitchen. [2] He served for two years before he became ill and retired. It was pretty tame compared to his old beat, but at 68, that was probably for the best. Marshal Bass Reeves. In 1907 Bass Reeves' time as a deputy marshal came to an end, because law enforcement was taken over by state agencies after Oklahoma became a state. 7: Caught in a Bad Romance, Brandon Sklenar is the Baddest Dutton of Them All, The 'Outer Banks' S3 Finale Is Intense as Hell. Reeves' health began to fail, and he died of Bright's disease (nephritis) in 1910. 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 tough man was definitely no stranger to loss in his life, but this was different. Dave Kennedy, curator of collections and exhibits, said recently the museum is still in search of Bass Reevess descendants, the Southwest Times Record reported. 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. Marshal badge and bullets that one belonged to U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. Earlier, Upham had commanded the Arkansas State Militia and had destroyed the Ku Klux Klan in that state. He tracked two outlaws to their mothers house in the Red River Valley. Instead, he always tried to take everyone in alive. Despite running up against hardened crooks, the 200-pound, six-foot slinger apparently never wavered. The new deputy must have been an unmistakable figure in the Old West. Theres only one catch: Bass Reeves is not an original character. 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 does not know what fear is. This claim was backed up with hard evidence, as well soon discover. During a game of cards with his owner, Reeves won, which caused his owner to beat him. [2][5] He is said to have shot and killed fourteen outlaws to defend his own life. Reeves was born into slavery and gained his freedom when he escaped during the Civil War, fled to the Indian Territory (Arkansas and Oklahoma) and lived among the Native Americans. George also happened to be the towns sheriff. They arrested, without incident 15 white men and eight Black men and brought them to the federal jail in Muskogee. On one occasion, Reeves went deep undercover. Adams served as Reeves posseman, and they were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, July 1838 - Crawford County, United States, Ozoliiiulsioii Co., ; IS Pearl at., New York. There must be something in the family genes, because a number of Reeves descendants have left serious marks of their own. Fortunately, though, he had some connections. Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas, which also had responsibility for the Indian Territory. At Muskogee, Reeves worked under Leo E. Bennett, the former Indian agent for the Five Civilized Tribes, headquartered at the same town. 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. Though it won't include anyone from the cast of 1883, Bass Reeves will follow the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshall west of the Mississippi River in U.S. history. Bass Reeves was indeed the Invincible Marshal. Despite his instantly-recognizable look, rumor has it that the lawman had a few other tricks up his sleeve. The St. Louis Globe Democrat in February 1884 reported Reeves bringing in 12 prisoners to Fort Smith. 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. [78] Reeves was born into slavery in Grayson County, Texas in 1838. His children were named Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice. Bass raised horses and served as a scout for deputy U.S. marshals going into the Indian Territory. Bass Reeves was born a slave in the 1830's American South. 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. At his death, several newspapers, in and out of state, stated he had killed more than 20 men in the line of duty. Specifically fort smith where judge parkers court house is located. He married a woman named Nellie Jennie, and they must have been really into each other. Bass Reeves, (born 1838, Crawford county, Arkansas, U.S.died January 12, 1910, Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S.), American lawman who was one of the first deputy U.S. marshals of African descent in the American West. Marshal Leo Bennett in Muskogee, Oklahoma, only to find[13] his own son had been charged with the murder of his wife. He died on January 12, 1910, of kidney disease. He died of Bright's disease (nephritis) on January 12, 1910. Fagan had heard about Reeves, who knew the Territory and could speak several Native languages. Reeves was in a dangerous profession and, unsurprisingly, had a lot of close calls. It didnt take a genius to get to the bottom of this one. Bass Reeves is a part of US Black history. He went back to work as one of the deputies of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C. Parker. Though it wont include anyone from the cast of 1883, Bass Reeves will follow the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshall west of the Mississippi River in U.S. history. 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. Judge Parkers orders were to bring them in dead or alive. As it turns out, the time to draw seemed to come up a lot. The details of his sons doings were unpleasant. He bought a small farm and married[6] Nellie Jennie. Thanks for your help! Reeves was born in Crawford County, in Northwest Arkansas, around 1838. 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. Bennie was subsequently captured, tried, and convicted. His son likely wasnt happy with his decision. He was hired as a deputy because of his knowledge of the territory and ability to speak many of the tribal languages. Just saw the movie. A hard-headed judge named Isaac Parker ordered a US Marshal to find 200 deputies in Indian Territory. He was a real-life gunslinger and lawman who lived from 1838 to 1910, and he was said to have recorded over 3,000 arrests during his lifetime. The talented marksman and guide quickly started making a name for himself. (He appears to. [9] He served there until 1893. It was later proven that Ned was not guilty of the crime. [11] The United States Court at Fort Smith, was the largest in the nation. When the altercation turned physical, Reeves released a well-deserved beatdown on the Colonel. (AP) The U.S. The rest of the gang disappeared, and no one ever heard from them again. 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. During the Civil War . After the war, Bass Reeves settled down outside Van Buren, Arkansas, and maintained a horse ranch and small farm. In the card game Cartaventura Oklahoma, one plays the fictional escape of Bass Reeves with five possible outcomes. The residents of the territory said he could whip any two men with his fist. As usual, Reeves confronted Story directly. 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. Im sitting here going, Guys, everyone is dead. 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will be another peek inside that era. [5][6][7][8], Reeves and his family farmed until 1875 when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. Bass Reeves and his family were slaves of Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. Topping, James H. Mershon and Jacob T. Ayers. Bass severely beat George, and fled to the Indian Territory where he lived among the Cherokee, Creeks and Seminoles. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. Of all the outlaws Reeves went after in his long career, only one ever escaped his iron grasp. On one occasion, the ranger was facing off with an outlaw who drew on him. Apparently, each one tried to end Reeves life before he resorted to force. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. Reeves never learned to read, so he memorized his arrest warrants. discoveries. Bass Reeves was involved in the "Wild, Wild West," part of the westward expansion of the United States. It is unclear how, and exactly when, Bass Reeves escaped, but at some point during the Civil War, he gained his freedom. Reeves had a reputation as an expert in Indigenous languages with an intimate knowledge of the land. Bass Reeves was born a slave in Crawford County in July 1838. 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. He served for two years, in that time there were no crimes on his beat. 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. Sadly, Reeves beloved wife, Nellie Jennie, passed in Fort Smith in 1896. The U.S. Reeves remained with this federal district until 1897, when he was transferred to the new Northern District of Indian Territory at Muskogee. 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. Webb had earlier killed a Black farmer who accidently burned some grazing land on the Washington Ranch. It sat on his desk for two days while he decided what to do. Bass dragged his son into the courtroom himself, and the judge convicted him. [5], He was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. Once, he walked 28 miles dressed as a beggar and fooled two men and their mother into letting him stay the night. ", "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. In fact, his personality was so warm that it comes up in countless contemporary sources detailing his many adventures and arrests. Reeves disguised himself as a tramp, with old clothes and a cane. Reeves shot Webb with his Winchester at 500 yards after Webb narrowly missed him several times. Bass occasionally would serve as a guide into the Indian Territory for Deputy U.S. Reeves lived in the protection of his new communities and learned their languages for the next several years. Reeves must not have slept. He often used aliases and disguises, a cowboy, farmer, gunslinger -- even a outlaw. Bass claimed that he fought in the Civil Warfor the South! In the Old West, its hard to separate the good guys from the bad. Word of the relationship somehow got out. In 1909, the tough lawman finally came across an enemy that he couldnt best: Brights Disease. 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.. The Arkansas Gazette in September 1884 re-ported Reeves brought 15 prisoners to Fort Smith. Interest was, With a budget of $250 million, this summers Disney movie, The Lone Ranger, will be. The federal jail court was in Van Buren for the western district of Arkansas and Indian Territory. In this capacity, his familiarity with the land served him well. Saddle up, because this ones a bit of a doozyI'll explain Bass Reeves as best as I can. The men with a $5,000 bounty on their heads woke up in handcuffs. Apparently, Christie didnt make things easy, and he escaped. According to the letter of the law, it didnt matter who they were. Muskogee was unique with two Black business districts that were thoroughly integrated and catered to the diverse population in the frontier town. It seems that Reeves talents were without end. If so, login to add it. 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. Greenleaf had been on the run for 18 years and had murdered three white men and four Indians and had never been arrested. When Bass was eight, the Reeves family moved to northern Texas to Peters Colony in Grayson County near Sherman, Texas. Marshal. Reeves became known in the early 1880s for bringing prisoners back to the Fort Smith court in double digits. 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. Marshals who worked for the Federal Court at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Reeves spent 30 years in the perilous job of a deputy U.S. marshal in Oklahoma's Indian Territory. Please add Bass to the American Heroes category. In 1890, he received an arrest warrant for an infamous Cherokee outlaw named Ned Christie. He tried to apprehend the fugitive Jim Webb, who had been foreman on the Billy Washington Ranch in the Chickasaw Nation. This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 18:56. [2][3] "[4] Bass Reeves fled north into the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) and lived with the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek Indians until he was freed by the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865. A little dose of karma eventually came down upon the Colonel. Unfortunately for Reeves, this brought change to the face of law enforcement. He just needed a way inso he came up with a devious plan. [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. Love the history behind my home town! They would later have 11 children in the household. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. During his time as a Deputy U.S. The Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves bringing in 12 prisoners in April 1884. 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