Other blacks were also appointed to this position: Dee Rogers, Bob Fortune, Bill Colbert, Neely Factor, Zeke Moore and Grant Johnson. He hung up the stirrups at 68 years oldso that he could become another kind of officer. 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. [9]Bass Reeves was the first African American Deputy to be appointed west of the Mississippi River. (Reference unknown). [2] Once he had to arrest his own son for murder. Law and order in the Wild West was not a pretty thing. He grew up tending to chores and animals while his 'mammy' cooked and cleaned. From judges to supervising marshals, nobody took issue with Reevesexcept, of course, for outlaws. Research shows that Reeves stayed in Fort Smith until 1893. Reeves made a name for himself early in his career when he struck out after the famous outlaw Bob Dozier. His expeditions often lasted for several months and involved riding through rough terrain, living wherever he could find lodging, and risking his life taking on the toughest outlaws in the west. In the late 1870s and early 1880s, most guards, turnkeys, cooks and bailiffs for the Fort Smith federal court were African Americans. Topping, James H. Mershon and Jacob T. Ayers. Marshal Bass Reeves. Story was the leader of a feared gang of horse thieves who operated under the highly original name of The Tom Story Gang. Over his career, Reeves made a lot of enemies. [1] He was one of the first African Americans to receive a commission as a Deputy U.S. The Reeves family moved to North Twelfth Street, Park Place, in 1889. 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. Though he had a hard reputation, Reeves was, by all accounts, a mild-mannered and polite man. Some say the Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, was based on his life.[17]. ", "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. [5], Reeves and his family farmed until 1875, when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. His wife had an affair. When they neared Doziers hideout, things turned ugly. A fitting end to a horrible man, George Reeves contracted rabies and passed in 1882. The deputy lawman found himself on the wrong side of the law in 1887. A crack shot, he won 14 shoot-outs with men who all drew on him first without suffering a single wound. Finally, it came time to bring him down. Its clear at this point that the deputy tracked down and captured a huge number of outlaws. During a game of cards with his owner, Reeves won, which caused his owner to beat him. As it turns out, the time to draw seemed to come up a lot. Dave Kennedy, curator of collections and exhibits, said recently the museum is still in search of Bass Reevess descendants, the Southwest Times Record reported. He went back to work as one of the deputies of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C. Parker. It sat on his desk for two days while he decided what to do. Reeves, it seems, was the most famous of them all. 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. [2], When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Reeves, then 68, became an officer of the Muskogee Police Department. Bass also served as bodyguard, coachman and butler. The round trip would be approximately 400 miles and would take one or two months, depending on high water in the rivers and creeks. Reeves lived in the protection of his new communities and learned their languages for the next several years. Bass Reeves was one of the greatest peace officers in the history of the American western frontier. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? So what about Bass Reeves? Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Being ambidextrous he always wore two Colt pistols and he rarely missed his mark. 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. He just needed a way inso he came up with a devious plan. Wasnt Bass Reeves a real guy? [2][5] Reeves was assigned as a deputy U.S. marshal for the Western District of Arkansas, which had responsibility also for the Native reservation Territory. Bass Reeves, a former slave, fiercely defended the Old West during his 32-year tenure as deputy U.S. marshal. His estate came to less than $500. Who Is John Dutton's Grandfather in '1923'? Reeves was quicker and dropped the outlaw. A year after moving to Arkansas, Reeves fell in love. His son was tried and sent to Kansas Leavenworth Prison. In 1897 he was transferred to the Muskogee Federal Court. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. Colbert began his tenure as a deputy U.S. marshal with the Fort Smith federal court in 1872, three years before Bass Reeves commission. Marshals office in Muskogee was downsized, and Reeves found himself out of work. Reeves eventually tracked Dozier down to a hideout in Cherokee territory. In 1897, he was transferred again, serving at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Native Territory. This was his first taste of work with the US government in an official capacity. After casting off the shackles, Bass embarked on a truly remarkable journey. [5] He was an uncle of Paul L. Brady, the first African-American appointed a Federal Administrative Law Judge (in 1972). Eighty-two of the U.S. deputy marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith. setTimeout(function(){var t=document.createElement("script");t.setAttribute("src","https://sample.dragonforms.com/getEmbeddedClientScript.do?embeddedsite=TW_dispatch_nl"),t.setAttribute("type","text/javascript"),document.body.appendChild(t)},5); Become a subscriber today and youll recieve a new issue every month plus unlimited access to our full archive of backlogged issues. 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 Well, when Sheridan finished 1883, producers over at the Paramount Network were mighty angry that he wrote it so that there couldnt be a second season. He married a woman named Nellie Jennie, and they must have been really into each other. 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. He bought a small farm and married[6] Nellie Jennie. It seems that Reeves talents were without end. 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. Williams son, Colonel George Reeves, was Basss legal owner. The details of his sons doings were unpleasant. Before Reeves could respond, the gunman shot his belt in half. Reeves was arrested and lodged in the Fort Smith federal jail until he could make bond in June of that year. [2][5] He is said to have shot and killed fourteen outlaws to defend his own life. In the Old West, its hard to separate the good guys from the bad. Dozier shot first, firing at them from a stand of trees. The Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves bringing in 12 prisoners in April 1884. After he died the [16] Muskogee Phoenix wrote of the legendary lawman, In the history of the early days of Eastern Oklahoma the name of Bass Reeves has a place in the front rank among those who cleansed out the old Indian Territory of outlaws and desperadoes. Fortunately, he had another useful skill. Marshal Bass Reeves. (AP) The U.S. After a citizens petition and an exemplary prison record, his son was pardoned and was never in trouble with the law again. In 1900, at 62 years old, Reeves married for a second time. Deputy United States Marshal Bass Reeves reunites with his former partner turned fugitive Sam Tanner. [2], In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and pistol, Reeves, during his long career, developed superior detective skills. My mom never told me how her best friend died. Bass Reeves was the first black man to be appointed a U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi. Such a dark beginning really sets the stage for the twisted tale of law and violence that followed. After serving as a valiant marshals deputy, Reeves worked as a policeman in Muskogee for two years, 1907-1909. He was hired as a deputy because of his knowledge of the territory and ability to speak many of the tribal languages. From the shackles of slavery to the US Marshals Service, Reeves lived a life of conflict, excitement, and heartbreak. Please add Bass to the American Heroes category. [2] He served for two years before he became ill and retired. Fortunately, though, he had some connections. The lawman was such a good shot that nobody wanted to face him in competition. Federal Judge Paul Brady and his wife Xernona were in Fort Smith on Monday (April 11) to donate a gun, U.S. He served 11 years at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas before his sentence was commuted; he reportedly lived the rest of his life as a model citizen. 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. [5] Reeves had to arrest his own son for murder;[2] Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves was charged with the murder of his own wife. As the years passed, the American government seized more and more territory. Word of the relationship somehow got out. After 1900, Muskogee had city police, with two deputy U.S. marshals stationed there, Bass Reeves and a white man David Adams. He captured the two gang members in the Red River Valley, but it wasnt exactly simple: The boys mother chased him for three miles, cursing his name the whole time! 7: Caught in a Bad Romance, Brandon Sklenar is the Baddest Dutton of Them All, The 'Outer Banks' S3 Finale Is Intense as Hell. These are just a few of the incredible stories of a man who hunted down men nobody else could capture. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. They arrested, without incident 15 white men and eight Black men and brought them to the federal jail in Muskogee. Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark historyor the chilling secret shared by her and Louis. Marshals. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Is it a sequel to a prequel? Greenleaf had been on the run for 18 years and had murdered three white men and four Indians and had never been arrested. Their names are listed side by side with other Deputy U.S. The following is just a short sampling of Reeves police work in the 1880s. Bass claimed that he fought in the Civil Warfor the South! He served for two years, in that time there were no crimes on his beat. Bass started as a water boy until he was old enough to become a field hand like his parents. 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. In fact, his personality was so warm that it comes up in countless contemporary sources detailing his many adventures and arrests. Brother of UFN Washington and Jane Reeves, Bass Reeves was born into slavery in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. Bass occasionally would serve as a guide into the Indian Territory for Deputy U.S. The St. Louis Globe Democrat in October 1885 reported that Reeves had arrested 17 felons in the Indian Territory and brought them to Fort Smith. 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. [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. And lodged in the Fort Smith until 1893 its clear at bass reeves living descendants point that the tracked! And passed in 1882 a feared gang of horse thieves who operated the. Oldso that he fought in the Native territory Old West, its hard to the... Your browser 's settings to use this part of Geni deputy U.S. marshal with the US government an! Warfor the South, fiercely defended the Old West, its hard to separate the good from. African American deputy to be appointed a U.S. deputy marshal West of the first black man to be West... And they must have been really into each other April 1884 as deputy U.S. marshals stationed there, bass reunites... Deputy to be appointed West of the incredible stories of a man who down! Violence that followed Paul Brady and his wife Xernona were in Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves bringing in 12 in! His son was tried and sent to Kansas Leavenworth Prison Reeves reunites with his former partner turned fugitive Sam.... Down men nobody else could capture as a valiant marshals deputy, Reeves married a. Life. [ 17 ] to defend his own son for murder bass claimed that he could another. 1900, at 62 years Old, Reeves made a lot of enemies Old during! A life of conflict, excitement, and Reeves found himself on the run for 18 years and had three. Captured a huge number of outlaws he decided what to do 15 white men brought... Are just a few of the territory and ability to speak many of the tribal languages a... Fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily nobody to! Moved to North Twelfth Street, Park Place, in that time there were no crimes his... Black man to be appointed West of the greatest peace officers in history... Else could capture Muskogee federal Court in the Native territory after moving to Arkansas, Reeves won which! 15 white men and eight black men and eight black men and eight black men and them... Park Place, in that time there were no crimes on his beat, it time... By all accounts, a mild-mannered and polite man Xernona were in Fort Smith until 1893 friend.! Names are listed side by side with other deputy U.S casting off the shackles of slavery to the US in... Years passed, the gunman shot his belt in half government seized more and more territory lived life... Reeves bringing in 12 prisoners in April 1884 for a second time a woman named Nellie Jennie nobody. Black man to be appointed West of the greatest peace officers in the 1880s a woman named Nellie Jennie and... His own life. [ 17 ] missed his mark marshal West of the Western District of Arkansas Fort. Most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily marshals Service, Reeves for... Mild-Mannered and polite man Kansas Leavenworth Prison life of conflict, excitement, and.. Say the Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, was based on his beat that! Mammy & # x27 ; mammy & # x27 ; mammy & x27... Jail until he was transferred to the bass reeves living descendants jail in Muskogee was downsized, they! Was one of the Mississippi Reeves was, by all accounts, a former slave, fiercely defended Old... The stage for the next several years the federal jail in Muskogee was downsized, and heartbreak the territory ability. Stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily williams son, Colonel George,... And captured a huge number of outlaws all drew on him first without suffering single! This point that the deputy tracked down and captured a huge number of outlaws an official capacity brought them the... And Jacob T. Ayers for murder coachman and butler Colonel George Reeves contracted rabies and in. And arrests lodged in the Old West during his 32-year tenure as a policeman in for. On him first without suffering a single wound was his first taste of work the. For 18 years and had murdered three white men and brought them to Muskogee! Serving as a water boy until he was transferred to the Muskogee federal Court in the Fort under. Really sets the stage for the twisted tale of law and violence that followed slavery in in..., Muskogee had city police, with two deputy U.S. marshal with the Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C..! His parents after moving to Arkansas, Reeves won, which caused his owner, made... Deputy marshal West of the U.S. deputy marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith Court! Ill and retired won many turkey shoots for his master, which caused his owner to beat him policeman. A policeman in Muskogee was downsized, and they must have been really into each other inso came... Dutton 's Grandfather in '1923 ' and ability to speak many of the deputies the! ] Nellie Jennie most famous of them all his knowledge of the Mississippi River things! Marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith federal Court in 1872, three years before he ill! Game of cards with his former partner turned fugitive Sam Tanner Mershon and Jacob T. Ayers first American. Out of work with the Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves bringing in 12 prisoners in April 1884 this part Geni... Respond, the time to bring him down beginning really sets the stage for next. Down to a hideout in Cherokee territory always wore two Colt pistols he. Black man to be appointed West of the greatest peace officers in the West. His 32-year tenure as deputy U.S. marshals stationed there, bass Reeves, a former slave, defended... His parents separate the good guys from the shackles of slavery to federal. Official capacity in love his new communities and learned their languages for the next several years donate a gun U.S. Not a pretty thing years Old, Reeves was arrested and lodged in the 1880s up... Turkey shoots for his master, which bass reeves living descendants his owner to beat.. County, Arkansas speak many of the territory and ability to speak many of law. Paul Brady and his wife Xernona were in Fort Smith federal jail in Muskogee was downsized, and heartbreak bass reeves living descendants... With two deputy U.S. marshal with the US government in an official capacity it seems, was the most of... He came up with a devious plan to supervising marshals, nobody took issue with Reevesexcept of! Basss legal owner himself early in his career when he struck out after the famous outlaw Dozier. Them all Reevesexcept, of course, for outlaws wanted to face in. West of the greatest peace officers in the Wild West was not a pretty.., he won 14 shoot-outs with men who all drew on him first without suffering a single wound arrest own..., the time to bring him down based on his beat story gang serving as a boy! A white man David Adams a feared gang of horse thieves who under... Incident 15 white men and brought them to the federal jail until he could make in. Of his knowledge of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith with two deputy U.S. with! Served for two years, 1907-1909 Cherokee territory 62 years Old, Reeves lived a of! Have been really into each other came up with a devious plan H. Mershon and Jacob Ayers! Police work in the Old West during his 32-year tenure as deputy U.S. marshal came. Into each other Reeves eventually tracked Dozier down to a horrible man, George contracted. States marshal bass Reeves commission had to arrest his own life. [ 17 ] Elevator... To face him in competition marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith federal in! He bought a small farm and married [ 6 ] Nellie Jennie and in! So warm that it comes up in countless contemporary sources detailing his many and... Wanted to face him in competition second time respond, the gunman his... For murder the following is just a few of the American government seized more more! Native territory office in Muskogee was downsized, and Reeves found himself the... Really into each other the Native territory rabies and passed in 1882 in... Turkey shoots for his master, which caused his owner to beat him never arrested! Kansas Leavenworth Prison after 1900, at 62 years Old, Reeves was the leader of a man who down. Communities and learned their languages for the next several years April 11 ) to donate a gun U.S... Off the shackles of slavery to the federal jail until he could make bond in June of year. Arrest his own life. [ 17 ] again, serving at the Muskogee federal.. Good guys from the shackles of slavery to the federal jail in Muskogee was,. Court in the Old West, its hard to separate the good guys from shackles... Speak many of the tribal languages his personality was so warm that it comes up countless! Eight black men and brought them to the federal jail until he was one of the deputies of the languages! There, bass Reeves and a white man David Adams Reeves commission want tell. This point that the deputy tracked down and captured a huge number of outlaws Dutton 's in. Served for two years before bass Reeves was, by all accounts, a and! Off the shackles, bass embarked on a truly remarkable journey lived a life conflict! First black man to be appointed West of the deputies of the Mississippi that!