It didnt take a genius to get to the bottom of this one. Reeves and his companion avoided the first flurry of bullets, and the sound of the laughter pinpointed Doziers location. 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. 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.". Reeves and Webb had a gunfight in June 1884 near Bywaters Store, which was a stagecoach stop. So, when Reeves learned that his son was a wanted man, the lawman demanded the warrant. The same news-paper reported Reeves in August 1883 bringing in 13 prisoners. He is believed to be buried in a small cemetery on Fern Mountain Road west of town. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith has an impressive collection of guns and documents related to famed Deputy U.S. 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. Eventually, Reeves decided he had to fulfill his obligation personally. Not too many years before, he was the target of law enforcement officials himself. My mom never told me how her best friend died. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. 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. We may never know exactly how many black men served as Deputy U.S. Marshals, a placard at the Historic Site reads. Bass Reeves: Lawman, gunslinger, trail-blazer. Im sitting here going, Guys, everyone is dead. 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will be another peek inside that era. Reeves disguised himself as a tramp, with old clothes and a cane. In this capacity, his familiarity with the land served him well. Though he successfully caught the outlaws, Reeves did not escape from his infiltration unscathed. Probably a smart decision. Unsurprisingly, Reeves took the task without complaint. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. 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. 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. During his time as a Deputy U.S. Despite running up against hardened crooks, the 200-pound, six-foot slinger apparently never wavered. He hunted his son down and clapped him in irons. Fortunately, he managed to find love again several years later. Reeves is featured in the opening scene of HBO's award-winning series, Watchmen. The only significant remains of the second fort [built in 1839] are the old stone Commissary Building and Judge Parker's Courtroom, which has been restored. He also rode the Oklahoma range on a massive white stallion. [9] He served there until 1893. Reeves was finally able to move around the country freely. Unfortunately for Reeves, this brought change to the face of law enforcement. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. Marshal Bass Reeves. If so, login to add it. 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. However, Bass Reeves certainly liked to tell a tall tale, and his descendants have since said that these claims were false. Marshals. Adams, Jake Island, Andy Alton and one Smith, larceny.. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. Reeves didn't just take it, though. After 1905, Reeves did not arrest as many white felons as he had earlier in his career, due to the large influx of white settlers into the territory and racial attitudes shifting. 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. A crack shot, he won 14 shoot-outs with men who all drew on him first without suffering a single wound. Its a sequel to a prequel (of sorts), but it can still be viewed and enjoyed separate from Yellowstone. The deputies' job was to clean up the Indian Territory. 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. By all accounts, he drew quickly and never missed his mark when the time came. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. Its no wonder he had such a tough reputation among outlaws and lawmen alike. 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. At this time Bass was married to his wife, Jennie, who was also from Texas, and they had four children. 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. He and his family were owned by William Steele Reeves, who was originally from Hickman County, Tennessee. Bass accepted the responsibility for finding his son. Fagan had heard about Reeves, who knew the Territory and could speak several Native languages. They would travel with a crew, at least one posseman or more, a cook, a guard and one or two wagons with supplies. Bennie was subsequently captured, tried, and convicted. He appointed [8] James Fagan as U.S. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 Deputy U.S. It must have made a lasting impression. According to the letter of the law, it didnt matter who they were. In 1909, the tough lawman finally came across an enemy that he couldnt best: Brights Disease. [9]Bass Reeves was the first African American Deputy to be appointed west of the Mississippi River. In total, he found at least twelve cards posted promising his demise. However, he didnt retire just yet. Apparently, Christie didnt make things easy, and he escaped. In 1910, he made his final salute. Marshal was abolished at that time, so he became an officer with the Muskogee Police Department, where he served for two years until he was forced to resign because of his declining health. Bennie was jealous, angry, and violent. An article suggests that Bass Reeves may have been the inspiration for the "Lone Ranger" --. 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. This is one gunslinger who wont soon be forgotten, so dive in and discover the action-packed life of Bass Reeves. Well, as a deputy in Indian Territory, Bass Reeves rode his horse from Fort Smith to Fort Renoa distance of 800 mileson more than one occasion. Fortunately, it was a lucrative business. Reeves spent 30 years in the perilous job of a deputy U.S. marshal in Oklahoma's Indian Territory. There is a monument dedicated to him. [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. 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 died of Bright's disease (nephritis) on January 12, 1910. 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 being disturbed and deeply shaken by the incident, Reeves nonetheless insisted on the responsibility of bringing Bennie to justice. Most people also know that the portrayal of Tonto as the Lone Rangers sidekick is often stereotypical and racist. A man could make a lot of money at itand Reeves was one of the best in the biz. All Rights Reserved. Law and order in the Wild West was not a pretty thing. 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. [3] During the Civil War, Bass escaped north into the [4]Indian Territory ,and lived with the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek Indians. Research shows that he could shoot accurately with his Winchester rifle up to 500 yards or a quarter of mile, and he had several gunfights during which he shot felons at that distance. 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. William Steele Reeves, a prominent citizen and politician, enslaved his family. 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. On one occasion, the ranger was facing off with an outlaw who drew on him. Meet 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, which will star David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid. Who Is John Dutton's Grandfather in '1923'? Marshal credited with being the inspiration for The Lone Ranger. In 1871, the federal court and jail were moved to nearby Fort Smith. He was also a black dude. It should be no surprise, then, that Parker had a soft spot for Reeves. Reeves was over six feet tall and sported a thick black handlebar mustache. At others, he took on the guise of an outlaw. Given the 30-odd years he spent as a ranger, this is quite a remarkable achievement. The same news-paper reported Reeves in August 1883 bringing in 13 prisoners. 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. Clayton, formerly the U.S. Attorney in Judge Parkers court, and William M. Cravens. Maybe a Dutton or two will show up, too. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Portrayal in Film: Timeless (TV Series) S1E14 2017. Marshals Museum: The museum loves to talk to the descendants of historic Marshals and Deputies and we receive. [1][2] He was named after his grandfather, Bass Washington. Bass set out for the Indian Territory and was taken in by Seminole and Creek Indians. The U.S. Born a slave in Arkansas, Reeves grew up in Grayson county, Texas, following the relocation of his owner, William S. Reeves. [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. Their names are listed side by side with other Deputy U.S. From judges to supervising marshals, nobody took issue with Reevesexcept, of course, for outlaws. 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. In May 1902, Reeves and Adams went to the town of Braggs, Cherokee Nation, to quell racial strife. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Reeves had plenty of shooting to do without the turkeys. In 1890, he received an arrest warrant for an infamous Cherokee outlaw named Ned Christie. [3], Later Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. Information from: Southwest Times Record, http://www.swtimes.com/, Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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