Wikipedia

Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves(July 1838 – January 12, 1910) was a runaway slave, gunfighter, farmer, scout, tracker, railroad agent, and deputyU.S. Marshal.He spoke the languages of several Native American tribes includingCherokee,Choctaw,Chickasaw,SeminoleandCreek.Bass was one of the first African-American Deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi River, mostly working in the deadly Indian Territory. The region was saturated with horse thieves, cattle rustlers, gunslingers, bandits, bootleggers, swindlers, and murderers. Reeves made up to 4,000 arrests in his lifetime, killing twenty men in the line of duty.[1][2]

Bass Reeves
BornJuly 1838
Crawford County, Arkansas,U.S.
DiedJanuary 12, 1910(1910-01-12)(aged 71)
Muskogee, Oklahoma,U.S.
Occupation(s)Farmer, rancher, railroad agent, tracker, scout, interpreter, deputy United States Marshal, policeman.
Years active35 years as a law enforcement officer.
Known for4,000 arrests
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) at age 30
Opponents
Spouses
Jennie Haynes
​
​
(m.1864; died 1896)​
Winnie Sumter
​
(m.1900)​
Children11
Police career
CountryUnited States Government
BranchDeputy U.S. Marshal
Service years1875–1910
RankDeputy
Other workMPD Police Officer

Reeves was born into slavery inCrawford County, Arkansas.His family were slaves belonging to Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. During the American Civil War, his owners fought for the Confederacy. At some point, Reeves escaped and fled to Indian Territory, where he learned American Indian languages and customs, as well as tracking and survival skills. He eventually became a farmer and rancher. By 1875, Reeves was hired as a deputy U.S. Marshal along with other individuals. He was 37 years old. Reeves was well acquainted with the Indian Territory and served there for over 32 years as a peace officer, covering over 75,000 square miles in what is now Oklahoma. He was involved in several tragedies during his lifetime. He accidentally shot his cook, William Leach, which led to the court caseUnited States vs. Bass Reeves,for which he was acquitted. His first wife Jennie died in 1896, and in 1902 he had to arrest his son Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves, who was charged with murdering his wife, Castella Brown. Bennie was convicted and found guilty by a jury on January 22, 1903, in Muskogee. The presiding judge was C. W. Raymond. Bennie was sentenced to the U.S. prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for his natural life.[3]Bennie was released after eleven years in prison, and lived out the rest of his life as a model citizen.[4][5][a]

Reeves encountered some of the most ruthless outlaws of his day. His weapons of choice were theWinchester models1873 and 1892. They were guns that conveniently fit dual-purpose handgun/rifle cartridges. He also briefly used the 1873 Colt Single Action.45 caliber Peacemaker.[6]He tracked and killed notorious outlaw Jim Webb, who had murdered over eleven people.[7]Another notorious desperado Reeves encountered was murderer and horse thief Wiley Bear. Reeves rounded him up along with his gang, which included John Simmons and Sam Lasly. Reeves was in a gunfight with the Creek desperado Frank Buck, whom he shot and killed.[3]Reeves was immortalized in popular media, including TV shows, films, novels, poems, and books. He was also inducted into theTexas Trail of Fame.[8]A bronze statue of Reeves was erected in Pendergraft Park inFort Smith, Arkansas,and the Bass Reeves Memorial Bridge in Oklahoma was named after the legendary lawman.[9]

Early life

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Reeves was born an alien intoslaveryinCrawford County, Arkansas,in 1838.[10][11]He was named after his grandfather, Bass Washington. Reeves and his family were enslaved by Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves.[10]When Bass was eight, in about 1846, William Reeves moved toGrayson County, Texas,nearShermanin thePeters Colony.[10]It appears plausible that Reeves was retained as a servant by William Steele Reeves's son, ColonelGeorge R. Reeves,a Texan sheriff, legislator, and one-timeSpeaker of the Texas House of Representatives.[12]

When theAmerican Civil Warbegan, George Reeves joined theConfederate States Army,taking Bass with him. According to the Reeves family, at some time between 1861 and 1862, Bass attacked George Reeves following an argument during a poker card game. He escaped to Indian Territory which is now Kansas and Oklahoma. Once there, he became acquainted with the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole, learning their customs, languages, and tracking skills.[4][5][13]TheEmancipation Proclamationgave Reeves his freedom. As afreedman,Reeves returned to Arkansas and farmed nearVan Buren.[8][14][15][16][17]

Career

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Reeves and his family farmed until 1875, whenIsaac C. Parkerwas appointedfederal judgefor theIndian Territory.Parker appointedJames F. Faganas U.S. marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. marshals. Fagan had heard about Reeves, who knew the Territory and could speak several Native languages.[14]He recruited him as a deputy. Reeves, age 37, was among the first Black deputies to serve west of the Mississippi River.[18]

Reeves was assigned as a deputy U.S. marshal for theWestern District of Arkansas,which had responsibility also for Indian Territory.[19]He served there until 1893. That year he transferred to theEastern District of TexasinParis, Texas,for a short while. In 1897, he was transferred again, serving at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Native Territory.[19]

Reeves worked for 32 years as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory and became one of Judge Parker's most valued deputies. 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.[11]

In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and revolver, Reeves developed superior detective skills during his long career. When he retired in 1907, Reeves had on his record thousands of arrests offelons,some accounts claiming over 3,000.[11][14]According to his obituary, he killed 14 outlaws to defend his life.[14]Reeves even had to arrest his son for murder.[11]Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves was charged with the murder of his wife. Despite the perpetrator being his son, Reeves insisted on the responsibility of bringing Bennie to justice. Accounts of the incident report that Bennie was captured by his father, or turned himself in. He was ultimately tried and convicted, serving 11 years atFort LeavenworthinKansasbefore his sentence was commuted. He reportedly lived the rest of his life as a model citizen.[11]

When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Reeves, then 68, became an officer of theMuskogee Police Department.[11]He served for two years before he became ill and retired.[14]

Later years and death

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Reeves (left) with a group of Marshals in 1907

Reeves was once charged with murdering apossecook. 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 AttorneyW. H. H. Clayton,who was a colleague and friend. Reeves was eventually believed and acquitted, possibly based on his exceptional record.[20]

Reeves' health began to fail further after retiring. He died ofBright's disease(nephritis) on January 12, 1910.[14]

Family and descendants

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Reeves was married twice and had eleven children. In 1864 he married Nellie Jennie (d. 1896) and after her death Winnie Sumter (1900–1910). His children were named Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice.[14][15][16][17]

He was a great-uncle ofPaul L. Brady,who became the first Black man appointed as a federaladministrative law judgein 1972.[21]

His great-great-grandson is formerNational Football LeagueandCanadian Football LeagueplayerWillard Reaves.His great-great-great-grandsons are National Hockey League playerRyan Reavesand CFL playerJordan Reaves.[22]Ryan Reaves's grandfather changed the family name from Reeves to Reaves.[23][24]This claim has not been verified by historians and/or genealogists.

Legacy

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A statue dedicated to Bass Reeves in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Television

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  • Bass is one possible inspiration for theLone Ranger,the travelling hero of western radio, TV and films; historian Art T. Burton says "Bass Reeves is the closest person to resemble the Lone Ranger" citing similarities including Reeves working with Native American partners and handed out souvenir silver dollars.[28]
  • Reeves is the subject of season 1, episode 6 titled "Bass Reeves: Trailblazing Lawman" (2021) in the Roku seriesWild West Chronicles
  • Reeves is the subject of season 2, episode 4 titled "The Real Lone Ranger" inGunslingers[29]
  • Reeves figures prominently in an episode ofHow It's Made,in which a Bass Reeves limited-edition collectors' figurine is shown in various stages of the production process[30]
  • In "The Murder of Jesse James", an episode of the television seriesTimeless(season one, episode 12), Reeves is portrayed byColman Domingo.[31]
  • Reeves was a featured subject of theDrunk Historyepisode "Oklahoma" in which he was portrayed byJaleel White.[32]
  • In "Everybody Knows", a season two episode of the television seriesWynonna Earp,Reeves is portrayed byAdrian Holmes.[33]
  • Reeves is mentioned in the plot of "The Royal Family", a season two episode of the television seriesGreenleaf.Reeves' name is used as an alias by pastor Basie Skanks to support his church with gambling earnings.[34]
  • Reeves' status as one of the first black Deputy U.S. Marshals plays a significant role as a childhood role model for the character of Will Reeves in theWatchmentelevision series. Reeves is portrayed by Jamal Akakpo in three episodes featuring a fictional 1920s silent film based on Reeves' exploits titled "Trust in the Law".[35]
  • Reeves is mentioned in season 3, episode 2 of the television seriesJustifiedas two U.S. Marshals are discussing their all-time favorite historical U.S. Marshals.[36]
  • Reeves features in the "Stressed Western" episode ofLegends of Tomorrow,portrayed byDavid Ramsey.Ramsey is noted for having playedGreen Arrow's ally and confidantJohn Digglein theArrowversesince its inception. In context, Reeves is portrayed as Diggle's ancestor whereSara Lancecalled him "Dig" at one point even though he thought they were digging the gunfight activities. The Legends encounter him at Fist City, Oklahoma at the time when they were pursuing the Haverack, a rage-attracted alien worm that has been excreting gold. After the Haverack was slain byAstra Logue,Reeves brought Fist City back in order.
  • Reeves features as a character played byGary Beadlein the 2021 TV seriesAround the World in 80 Days.[37]
  • A miniseries based on Art T. Burton's 2006 biography (and co-produced byMorgan Freeman) was reported to be under development byHBOin 2015.[38]The concept was later acquired byAmazon Studiosin 2019 and ordered to series in 2022 under the titleTwin Territories.[39]
  • In season 34, episode 14 ofThe Simpsons,"Carl Carlson Rides Again," the character Lenny states that the TV show "The Lone Ranger" is based on Reeves.[40]
  • A limited series based on the life of Reeves entitledLawmen: Bass Reevesfrom creatorTaylor Sheridanand starringDavid Oyelowobegan airing onParamount+on November 5, 2023.[41][42]

Film

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Theater

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Games

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  • Reeves is a character in theminiature wargameWild West Exodus.[50]
  • Reeves is a playable character in theboard gameWestern Legends.[51]
  • In the card gameCartaventura Oklahoma,one plays the fictional escape of Bass Reeves with five possible outcomes.[52]The game also includes an insert with a summary of Bass Reeves' story.
  • Bass Reeves appears as a quest NPC in the video gameNightingale.[53]

Comic books

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Hall of fame

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Literature

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  • Brady, Paul L.(2005).The Black Badge: Deputy United States Marshal Bass Reeves from Slave to Heroic Lawman.Los Angeles, Calif.: Milligan Books.ISBN0-9759654-5-X.OCLC62315198.
  • Burton, Arthur T. (2006).Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves.Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.ISBN0-8032-0541-4.OCLC68481191.Republished in 2022:ISBN9781496234469
  • Paulsen, Gary(2008).The Legend of Bass Reeves: Being the True and Fictional Account of the Most Valiant Marshal in the West.New York: Laurel-Leaf Books.ISBN978-0-307-51379-3.OCLC803982719.[58]
  • Brown, Russ (2019).Miss Chisum: A colorful 19th century Texan romance.Amazon International: Russ E. A. Brown.ISBN979-8438814542.OCLC1381888902.[59]

Notes

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  1. ^Indian Territory comprised most of what became Eastern Oklahoma on November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. Reeves's former position as a deputy U.S. 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.

Citations

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  1. ^Art T. Burton (April 10, 2015)."Bass Reeves".Fort Smith, Arkansas: National Park Service.Archivedfrom the original on September 12, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.
  2. ^Burton 2006,pp. 21–22.
  3. ^abThompson 2023,p. 34.
  4. ^ab"The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture".okhistory.org.Archivedfrom the original on January 23, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.
  5. ^ab"Encyclopedia Britannica".britannica.Archivedfrom the original on January 17, 2024.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.
  6. ^Jim Wilson (February 12, 2015)."Frontier Lawman: Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves".americanrifleman.org/.Archivedfrom the original on January 31, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.
  7. ^Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux (2013).Bad News for Outlaws The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal.Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publishing Group. pp. intro.ISBN9781467737593.
  8. ^ab"Texas Trail of Fame".texastrailoffame.org.Archivedfrom the original on November 18, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.
  9. ^Art T. Burton (November 17, 2023)."Encyclopedia of Arkansas".encyclope điểu farkansas.net.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.
  10. ^abcBurton 2006,pp. 19–20.
  11. ^abcdefBurton, Art T. (May–June 1999). "The Legacy of Bass Reeves: Deputy United States Marshal".The Crisis.106(3): 38–42.ISSN0011-1422.
  12. ^Burton 2006,pp. 21–23.
  13. ^"Legends of America".legendsofamerica.RetrievedJanuary 24,2024.
  14. ^abcdefg"Bass Reeves, the Most Feared U.S. Deputy Marshal".The Norman Transcript. May 3, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon September 7, 2012.RetrievedAugust 31,2016.
  15. ^ab"United States Census, 1870".FamilySearch.org.p. 10, family 75, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,550.RetrievedApril 1,2016.Bass Reeves, Arkansas, United States
  16. ^ab"United States Census, 1880".FamilySearch.org.enumeration district ED 50, sheet 582A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0042; FHL microfilm 1,254,042.RetrievedApril 1,2016.Bass Reeves, Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas, United States
  17. ^ab"United States Census, 1900".FamilySearch.org.citing sheet 20B, family 468, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,853.RetrievedApril 1,2016.Bass Reeves, Muscogee (part of M K & T Railway) Muscogee, Creek Nation, Natives Territory, United States
  18. ^Burton 2006,pp. 27–28.
  19. ^ab"Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves".U.S. Marshals Museum.U.S. Marshals Museum, Inc. Archived fromthe originalon March 2, 2014.RetrievedAugust 27,2013.
  20. ^Burton 2006,pp. 139–148.
  21. ^"Judge Paul L. Brady Retires from Job Safety Commission"ArchivedFebruary 15, 2013, at theWayback Machine.press release: United States Occupational Safety and Health Review Committee. April 15, 1997. Retrieved August 13, 2007.
  22. ^Gold-Smith, Josh (June 14, 2020)."Reaves putting Kane feud aside, joining him for 'much bigger cause'".theScore.
  23. ^Wright, Branson (December 7, 2021)."Rangers winger Ryan Reaves discovers the history behind the family name".
  24. ^Clark, Ryan S. (November 16, 2023)."Ryan Reaves talks about TV show based on a his great-great-great-grandfather".ESPN.RetrievedNovember 17,2023.
  25. ^Goforth, Dylan (November 11, 1977)."Bridge to be renamed in tribute to famed lawman".Muskogee Phoenix.RetrievedAugust 6,2013.
  26. ^"Statue of U.S. marshal to travel from Oklahoma to Arkansas Wednesday",Associated PressinThe Oklahoman,May 16, 2012 (pay site).
  27. ^"Bass Reeves".Western Heritage from the Texas Trail of Fame.texastrailoffame.org. December 26, 2013.RetrievedApril 14,2018.
  28. ^Hunt, Maria C. (May 19, 2024)."'A history that's been suppressed': the Black cowboy story is 200 years old ".The Guardian.RetrievedJune 12,2024.
  29. ^IMDbGunslingers, "Bass Reeves - The Real Lone Ranger"
  30. ^"How It's Made: Resin Figurines".science.discovery.Science Channel. Archived fromthe originalon September 22, 2013.RetrievedJune 19,2014.
  31. ^The Murder of Jesse Jamesat IMDb.
  32. ^IMDbDrunk History, Oklahoma.
  33. ^IMDbWyonna Earp, Everybody Knows.
  34. ^IMDbGreenleaf, The Royal Family.
  35. ^"Watchmen on IMDb".IMDb.
  36. ^IMDbJustified, Cut Tiles
  37. ^"In a New Series, 'Around the World in 80 Days' Gets More Worldly".The New York Times.
  38. ^"Mini About Hero Lawman Bass Reeves In Works At HBO With Morgan Freeman, Lori McCreary & James Pickens Producing".Deadline.May 18, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 25,2017.
  39. ^Grobar, Matt (June 29, 2022)."Bass Reeves Series 'Twin Territories' From Morgan Freeman's Revelations & 'Hand Of God' Creator Ben Watkins In Works At Amazon".Deadline.RetrievedJune 29,2022.
  40. ^IMDb[1]
  41. ^"1883: The Bass Reeves Story".IMDb.
  42. ^Mangan, Lucy (November 5, 2023)."Lawmen: Bass Reeves review – this utterly distinctive western is a rare treat".The Guardian.RetrievedNovember 5,2023.
  43. ^"'The Harder They Fall' Director Jeymes Samuel on New Netflix Western ".Variety.October 13, 2021.RetrievedNovember 9,2021.
  44. ^Hell On The Borderat IMDb
  45. ^N'Duka, Amanda (April 20, 2018)."Amazon Studios Lands Biopic on Bass Reeves, First Black U.S. Deputy Marshal, From 'The Rider' Helmer Chloé Zhao".Deadline.RetrievedMay 12,2018.
  46. ^"U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves featured in new Netflix film".5newsonline.July 6, 2021.RetrievedOctober 26,2021.
  47. ^O'Neal, Sean (July 3, 2021)."'The Harder They Fall' Is About to Bring New Excitement to the Old-school Western ".Texas Monthly.RetrievedOctober 26,2021.
  48. ^"Isaiah Washington To Mark Feature Directorial Debut With 'Corsicana' Western".Deadline.September 25, 2020.RetrievedJuly 23,2022.
  49. ^"2019 National Black Theater Festival Brochure"(PDF).North Carolina Black Repertory Company.June 11, 2019. pp. 5, 9.RetrievedMarch 16,2022.
  50. ^"Faction Lawmen - All Unit Cards"(PDF).Wild West Exodus.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on August 16, 2022.RetrievedApril 14,2022.
  51. ^"Western Legends".Board Game Geek.RetrievedApril 14,2022.
  52. ^"Cartaventura Oklahoma".BoardGameGeek.RetrievedApril 14,2022.
  53. ^Johnson, Gemma (February 16, 2024)."How Nightingale Approached Adding Historical Figures and Fictional Characters".Game Rant.RetrievedFebruary 28,2024.
  54. ^"Editions Delcourt, Marshal Bass".Editions Delcourt.RetrievedMarch 9,2023.
  55. ^"Atomic Robo and the Knights of the Golden Circle,Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener ".RetrievedMay 1,2023.
  56. ^"Hall of Great Westerners".National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.RetrievedNovember 22,2019.
  57. ^"Hall of Fame Inductees".National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  58. ^"The Legend of Bass Reeves".Kirkus Reviews.August 8, 2006.RetrievedOctober 14,2022.
  59. ^Brown, Russ,Miss Chisum,Amazon and Kindle.

References

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Further reading

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