Nellie was the mother of all 10 of his children. Evidently, she felt duped and betrayed by the heavily armed deputy. Bass Reeves began his life as a slave in the state of Arkansas in July 1838, near the town of Van Buren. 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. He hunted his son down and clapped him in irons. The memorial was held close to the 110th anniversary of Reeves' death in 1910. The Three Rivers Museum in Muskogee also has several artifacts from Reeves career as a lawman. As the years passed, the American government seized more and more territory. 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. 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. Arkansas native Bass Reeves was one of the first black lawmen west of the Mississippi River. When Dozier heard that Reeves was after him, he sent out word that Reeves was placing his own life in his hands. He often used aliases and disguises, a cowboy, farmer, gunslinger -- even a outlaw. Love the history behind my home town! One day, Benjamins wife suddenly passed under extremely suspicious circumstances. Unfortunately for Reeves, this brought change to the face of law enforcement. Here from 1875 until his death in 1896, the famous "Hanging Judge," Isaac C. Parker, presided over a court, keeping peace in the lawless territory. 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. Sadly, Reeves beloved wife, Nellie Jennie, passed in Fort Smith in 1896. [2], In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and pistol, Reeves, during his long career, developed superior detective skills. 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 . The men with a $5,000 bounty on their heads woke up in handcuffs. In 1893, Bass Reeves was transferred to the Eastern District federal court at Paris, Texas. Reeves was one tough lawman, but apparently, his boss was even tougher. Later, Reeves was made the principal lawman for the large African American community in Muskogee, and he had several Black assistants in that role. He retired at 70 years old and lived out his remaining time in some much-needed peace. 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. After 1900, Muskogee had city police, with two deputy U.S. marshals stationed there, Bass Reeves and a white man David Adams. [5], He was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. He does not know what fear is. This claim was backed up with hard evidence, as well soon discover. As usual, Reeves struck out with a posse. (Reference unknown). 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. Reeves must not have slept. [9] He served there until 1893. Bass Reeves served 35 years as a Deputy United States Marshal in that time he arrested 3,000 outlaws and killed 14 men, he always said that he never shot a man when it was not necessary for him to do so in the discharge of his duty to save his own life. At this point, with a downtown Fort Smith statue of Reeves erected in 2012, along with several True West Magazine stories and a 1992 induction in the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, it would be peculiar if someone asks Whos Bass Reeves?. 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. For this reason, Reeves found unusual support from the inhabitants of the land he patrolled during his career. [1][2] He was named after his grandfather, Bass Washington. [1] When Bass Reeves was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. In 1897, he was transferred again, serving at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Native Territory. His likeness has appeared in at least seven television series, four films, a play, two board games, and at least six books. Picture this on horseback, with a leather saddle and stiff boots. Reeves was in a dangerous profession and, unsurprisingly, had a lot of close calls. This is one gunslinger who wont soon be forgotten, so dive in and discover the action-packed life of Bass Reeves. Their names are listed side by side with other Deputy U.S. 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. Marshal James Fagan was replaced not long after Judge Parker took over the court with a Union veteran, Daniel P. Upham. Art T. Burton AFRICAN AMERICANS, RUFUS CANNON, FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT FOR WESTERN ARKANSAS, ROBERT L. FORTUNE, FREEDMEN, INDIAN TERRITORY, GRANT JOHNSON, ZEKE MILLER, ISAAC CHARLES PARKER, SEGREGATION The rest of the gang disappeared, and no one ever heard from them again. After it became one of the most popular shows on television, Paramount greenlit a prequel miniseries titled 1883. In 1900, at 62 years old, Reeves married for a second time. George also happened to be the towns sheriff. 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. Bass Reeves was born a slave in the 1830's American South. These are just a few of the incredible stories of a man who hunted down men nobody else could capture. Many U.S. Reeves was finally able to move around the country freely. Reeves worked hard. 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. Have you taken a DNA test? He grew up tending to chores and animals while his 'mammy' cooked and cleaned. People in period dress were at the Bass Reeves Memorial on Saturday at Three Rivers Museum. After a citizens petition and an exemplary prison record, his son was pardoned and was never in trouble with the law again. 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. He was apparently well dressed, with spit-polished boots and a striking, wide-brimmed hat on his head. Bass set out for the Indian Territory and was taken in by Seminole and Creek Indians. 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. At his death, several newspapers, in and out of state, stated he had killed more than 20 men in the line of duty. Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. Bass Reeves: Lawman, gunslinger, trail-blazer. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. He handed down a hefty sentence: Life in prison. 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. Most people also know that the portrayal of Tonto as the Lone Rangers sidekick is often stereotypical and racist. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. 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. As a black man tasked with law enforcement in unceded, Indigenous territory, Reeves was in a precarious situation. Reeves was over six feet tall and sported a thick black handlebar mustache. Earlier, Upham had commanded the Arkansas State Militia and had destroyed the Ku Klux Klan in that state. Ryan Reaves, a professional hockey player from Winnipeg, is Basss great-great-great-grandson. Sometime after moving to Texas, Bass became a valet/body servant to William S. Reeves son, George R. Reeves. It was probably a pleasant changebut it was not to last. It is unclear how, and exactly when, Bass Reeves escaped, but at some point during the Civil War, he gained his freedom. Deputies would work out of Fort Smith and venture into the Indian Territory with warrants and open warrants. In 1871, the federal court and jail were moved to nearby Fort Smith. . 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. He was so good, in fact, that he was regularly banned from participating in competitive turkey shoots, a popular pastime in the West. Bass Reeves was indeed the Invincible Marshal. Instead, he always asked somebody to read him the contents of the warrants that the Marshals presented to him. He was hired as a deputy because of his knowledge of the territory and ability to speak many of the tribal languages. In the Old West, its hard to separate the good guys from the bad. They ended up having a whopping ten childrenfive boys and five girls. Anything that could get him closer to his quarry. Abolitionists in the Indian Territory harbored him until it was safe to move. Adams, Jake Island, Andy Alton and one Smith, larceny.. 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. George Reeves was also a legislator, in Texas, and at the time of his death in 1882 from rabies, George Reeves was the Speaker of the House in the Texas legislature. Thanks for your time! Marshals. More U.S. marshals died in service while hunting down fugitives in the Western District of Arkansas than any other place. 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. Bass Reeves said the largest haul he made while working for the Fort Smith court was bringing in 19 horse thieves from the Fort Sill area. [14] He died January 12, 1910 from Bright's disease and although he was buried in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the exact location of his grave is unknown.[15]. They also had another child together. 1 of 3 In a statue of Bass Reeves residing in the Lamar County Courthouse, sculptor Eddie Dixon arms the famed lawman with a double-barreled shotgun. All were two years in age apart. Its no wonder he had such a tough reputation among outlaws and lawmen alike. Please reach out to us to let us know what youre interested in reading. Hold your horses though, because theres no official release date for Bass Reeves just yet. When Reeves faced trial, he was lucky enough to know the right people. Until then, theres always plenty of Sheridans Paramount shows, such as Yellowstone, 1923, Tulsa King, and Mayor of Kingstown, to feast your eyes on. 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. 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. After tracking the notorious outlaw, Reeves captured him without much of a struggle. Bass raised horses and served as a scout for deputy U.S. marshals going into the Indian Territory. 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. Though he successfully caught the outlaws, Reeves did not escape from his infiltration unscathed. 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. Fortunately, he had another useful skill. Spears is now leading an effort to erect a bronze statue of Judge Parker downtown. The St. Louis Globe Democrat in February 1884 reported Reeves bringing in 12 prisoners to Fort Smith. Marshal. [2][5] Reeves was initially assigned as a Deputy U.S. FORT SMITH, Ark. He once said he knew the Indian Territory like a cook knows her kitchen. The Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves bringing in 12 prisoners in April 1884. The Legend of Bass Reeves by author Gary Paulsen is a Western written for young readers. One day, a posse cook caught a bullet from Reeves trusty Colt while the lawman was cleaning it. 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. He was one of Judge Parker's most valued deputies. Director Isaiah Washington Writers Robert Johnson Isaiah Washington Stars [5], Reeves was married twice and had eleven children. Until just a few years ago, it was more likely that only readers steeped in the lore of the west or Parkers court knew much about the deep-voiced man who sang softly before going into a gunfight. When Bass was eight, the Reeves family moved to northern Texas to Peters Colony in Grayson County near Sherman, Texas. Theres only one catch: Bass Reeves is not an original character. Fortunately, it was a lucrative business. 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. The deputy lawman found himself on the wrong side of the law in 1887. This large family was a huge help when it came to chores, and the farm became quite profitable over the years. He went back to work as one of the deputies of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C. Parker. Reeves earned his reputation. 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? Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at [email protected]. They would have 11 children together. 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. However, he didnt retire just yet. The legendary lawman was said to. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8584642/bass-reeves, US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles. 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. 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