By all accounts, he drew quickly and never missed his mark when the time came. He also learned tracking and other skills from the different Indian tribes. Leave a message for others who see this profile. Deadline reported that the crew is officially filming in Texas, so it may be a while before we see the legendary lawman on our screens. [5], Reeves was married twice and had eleven children. Despite running up against hardened crooks, the 200-pound, six-foot slinger apparently never wavered. Muskogee was unique with two Black business districts that were thoroughly integrated and catered to the diverse population in the frontier town. "Some say because Bass beat up George after a dispute in a card game. His children were named Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice. [2] He served for two years before he became ill and had to retire. He was one of Judge Parker's most valued deputies. 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?. But theres one last twist in this story: Bennie received a pardon in 1914. Reeves shot Webb with his Winchester at 500 yards after Webb narrowly missed him several times. Join the. [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. He was known for his politeness and courteous manner. Director Isaiah Washington Writers Robert Johnson Isaiah Washington Stars Deputy U.S. He beat the man BACK AND depending on what you read, either killed him or almost killed him. 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. 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. [1] When Bass was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. Here, he learned Indian languages, the lay of the land and complete mastery of pistols and rifles. Reeves had a beat in downtown Muskogee, during . Reeves died in Muskogee on January 12, 1910, after a short illness. Bass started as a water boy until he was old enough to become a field hand like his parents. Federal Judge Paul Brady and his wife Xernona were in Fort Smith on Monday (April 11) to donate a gun, U.S. Reeves and his companion avoided the first flurry of bullets, and the sound of the laughter pinpointed Doziers location. Reeves was headquartered at Calvin in the Choctaw Nation and carried many of his prisoners to the federal commissioner at Pauls Valley in the Chickasaw Nation. [6], Reeves worked for thirty-two years as a Federal peace officer in the Indian Territory. He served for two years, in that time there were no crimes on his beat. Just one close call like that would be enough for us to hang up our hats for good, but to Reeves, it was just another part of the job. Reeves was in a dangerous profession and, unsurprisingly, had a lot of close calls. 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? He just needed a way inso he came up with a devious plan. For the next ten years, he lived a quiet life on his country farm. He proved this ability time and time again by holstering Colts on both sides. He went back to work as one of the deputies of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C. Parker. Dozier shot first, firing at them from a stand of trees. Given the 30-odd years he spent as a ranger, this is quite a remarkable achievement. He and his family were owned by William Steele Reeves, who was originally from Hickman County, Tennessee. Meet 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, which will star David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid. He knew that every chase was potentially his last. 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 . Reeves didn't just take it, though. In 1875,[7] Isaac Parker was appointed Federal Judge for the Indian Territory. Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas, which also had responsibility for the Indian Territory. 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. It did not seem accidental. Reeves had sent a lot of men into Parkers chamber, most of whom had done terrible things. Though he successfully caught the outlaws, Reeves did not escape from his infiltration unscathed. Reeves was acquitted.[7]. Bass Reeves was born a slave in the 1830's American South. 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. 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. Marshals who worked for the Federal Court at Fort Smith, Arkansas. FORT SMITH, Ark. Because it was Bass's son the other deputies were reluctant to take the warrant. As usual, Reeves struck out with a posse. The same news-paper reported Reeves in August 1883 bringing in 13 prisoners. In the late 1870s and early 1880s, most guards, turnkeys, cooks and bailiffs for the Fort Smith federal court were African Americans. Reeves made a name for himself early in his career when he struck out after the famous outlaw Bob Dozier. Over the course of his career, which began when he was in his fifties, mind you, Reeves brought in a tremendous 3,000 felons. The deputies' job was to clean up the Indian Territory. He thought hed hit his mark and he burst out in laughter. 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. The going rate was more than $1,000 for bounties. Typically, local posses accompanied Reeves on his expeditions and stakeouts. It should be no surprise, then, that Parker had a soft spot for Reeves. 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. [3] During the Civil War, Bass escaped north into the [4]Indian Territory ,and lived with the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek Indians. Marshal, he arrested 3,000 outlaws and killed 14 men. 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. He was never KNOWN to make a mistake. After serving as a valiant marshals deputy, Reeves worked as a policeman in Muskogee for two years, 1907-1909. Its not known exactly where Bass Reeves is buried, but in the 1990s the Oklahombres organization placed a small marker bearing Reeves name in the Old Agency Cemetery in Muskogee. The 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. Almost a year out from a planned opening of the new $60 million museum, its the lawmans family tree the curator wants most. This troubled his mother greatly as she thought he wanted to be an outlaw. Deputy United States Marshal Bass Reeves reunites with his former partner turned fugitive Sam Tanner. 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. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. Sebastian County Circuit Judge Jim Spears, now retired, is credited with leading an effort to prominently enshrine the folk hero in bronze. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. Bass Reeves is a part of US Black history. Editors of AHM, A Guide to America's Greatest Historic Places, p. 9). 7: Caught in a Bad Romance, Brandon Sklenar is the Baddest Dutton of Them All, The 'Outer Banks' S3 Finale Is Intense as Hell. Neither man backed down. 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. Bass Reeves Born about Jul 1838 in Crawford, Arkansas, United States Son of [father unknown] and Parilee Washington Stewart [sibling (s) unknown] Husband of Nellie (Jennie) Reeves married about 1864 in Arkansas, United States Husband of Winnie (Sumter) Reeves married 1900 in Muskogee,Oklahoma,United States Descendants Theyre like, there better be a fucking season two because we already picked it up, he recalled. 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. (AP) The U.S. 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. They also had another child together. Of all the outlaws Reeves went after in his long career, only one ever escaped his iron grasp. 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. Bass took the warrant and bought his son in for murder shortly thereafter his son convicted and sent to Leavenworth. Instead, he always asked somebody to read him the contents of the warrants that the Marshals presented to him. Fortunately, it was a lucrative business. In a happy subplot to an often harrowing tale, the two stayed together for the rest of their lives. 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. Bass Reeves (2010 Video), Ponderous Productions, The Truth Always Comes Out: Dark Family Secrets Exposed, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress, Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIIIs First Wife, Comedic Facts About Red Skelton, The Kookiest Clown Around, Glamorous Facts About The Countess Of Castiglione, The First Model, Sensational Facts About Louella Parsons, The Queen Of Hollywood Gossip, Extravagant Facts About Mohammad Reza, The Doomed Shah. Bass dragged his son into the courtroom himself, and the judge convicted him. Bass claimed that he fought in the Civil Warfor the South! Other than a few scrapes and bruises, Reeves made it through his career entirely unscathed. Not too many years before, he was the target of law enforcement officials himself. Reeves was now 69 years old, the only deputy U.S. marshal I have found that started with Judge Parkers regime in 1875 and worked up to Oklahoma statehood in 1907. During his time as a Deputy U.S. In 1897, he was transferred again, serving at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Native Territory. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. [5][6][7][8], He was a great-uncle of Paul L. Brady, who became the first black man appointed as a federal administrative law judge in 1972. Unsurprisingly, Reeves took the task without complaint. One day, Benjamins wife suddenly passed under extremely suspicious circumstances. [9] He served there until 1893. Bass went with George into the war, serving as his body servant. Then, Reeves met a woman named Winnie Sumter and fell in love all over again. In 1871, the federal court and jail were moved to nearby Fort Smith. . At times, he dressed himself as a local farmer. The story of the Lone Ranger is far more legend than reality. After 1900, Muskogee had city police, with two deputy U.S. marshals stationed there, Bass Reeves and a white man David Adams. [3], As a freedman, Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. [5], He was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. At his trial before Judge Parker, Reeves was represented by former United States Attorney W. H. H. Clayton, who had been his colleague and friend. [1] Bass Reeves may have served Colonel George R. Reeves, the son of William Reeves, the owner of Bass Reeves when he was a slave. Adams served as Reeves posseman, and they were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee. http://politicalblindspot.com/the-real-lone-ranger-was-an-african-a https://www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/6408028-Police-His Geni requires JavaScript! Marshals Museum in Fort Smith has an impressive collection of guns and documents related to famed Deputy U.S. Evidently, she felt duped and betrayed by the heavily armed deputy. He died of Bright's disease (nephritis) on January 12, 1910. He took a job as a patrolman with the Muskogee Oklahoma Police Department. As noted by the U.S. Park Service in a history of Bass Reeves, Judge Parker believed that black men would make great officers of the law in the Indian Territory, due to shared mistrust that existed between Indians and blacks toward the white man. That entry also notes that racial tensions were particularly high at the time and caused whites to feel anger toward a black man who had the power to arrest them.. He worked mostly in Arkansas and the Oklahoma Territory. Greenleaf had been on the run for 18 years and had murdered three white men and four Indians and had never been arrested. Reeves was one of those men. Please add Bass to the American Heroes category. But, no matter how well the farm did, Bass Reeves was never meant to be a farmer. He died in 1910. 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. However, the ranger never drew his weapon first. [2][5] He is said to have shot and killed fourteen outlaws to defend his own life. 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 He was so good, in fact, that he was regularly banned from participating in competitive turkey shoots, a popular pastime in the West. Obituaries ran in the white and Black newspapers of Muskogee and were republished across the nation. 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. [6] Reeves served in that district until 1893, when he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas. [78] Reeves was born into slavery in Grayson County, Texas in 1838. Native Territory comprised most of what became Eastern Oklahoma on November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. The tough man was definitely no stranger to loss in his life, but this was different. They would later have 11 children in the household. His son likely wasnt happy with his decision. As the first Black deputy west of the Mississippi River, Reeves arrested more than . In total, he found at least twelve cards posted promising his demise. Ironically, Reeves was brought up on first-degree murder charges, not manslaughter or criminal negligence, after a new U.S. marshal was hired, the first former Confederate officer Reeves would work for. My mom never told me how her best friend died. He was also a black dude. 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. Reeves was arrested and lodged in the Fort Smith federal jail until he could make bond in June of that year. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, July 1838 - Crawford County, United States, Ozoliiiulsioii Co., ; IS Pearl at., New York. 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 greatest gunfight was in 1884. 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. 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. 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