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. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. [6] Reeves served in that district until 1893, when he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas. His long muscular arms have attached to them a pair of hands that would do credit to a giant and they handle a revolver with the ease and grace acquired only after years of practice. He was brought up on first-degree murder charges in January 1886 and relieved of duty. [10], Reeves' health began to fail further after retiring. The same news-paper reported Reeves in August 1883 bringing in 13 prisoners. He went back to work as one of the deputies of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C. Parker. I dont think of any of these as spinoffs, but rather as complete stories that have common roots, Sheridan told Deadline about 1883. Obituaries ran in the white and Black newspapers of Muskogee and were republished across the nation. Bass also served as bodyguard, coachman and butler. The federal jail court was in Van Buren for the western district of Arkansas and Indian Territory. 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. Two weeks later he returned to Muskogee with his son and turned him over to Marshal Bennett. Oklahoma became a state in 1907. When they neared Doziers hideout, things turned ugly. A year after moving to Arkansas, Reeves fell in love. Reeves's former position as a U.S. [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. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith has an impressive collection of guns and documents related to famed Deputy U.S. (Fort Smith National Historic Site. And he got his man as often as any of the deputies. discoveries. Of all the outlaws Reeves went after in his long career, only one ever escaped his iron grasp. 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. Marshal James Fagan was replaced not long after Judge Parker took over the court with a Union veteran, Daniel P. Upham. Im sitting here going, Guys, everyone is dead. 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will be another peek inside that era. Reeves was one of those men. So, when Reeves learned that his son was a wanted man, the lawman demanded the warrant. When Dozier heard that Reeves was after him, he sent out word that Reeves was placing his own life in his hands. 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. Bass married Nellie Reeves in 1864, at age 26 in Arkansas, United States. Later, Reeves was made the principal lawman for the large African American community in Muskogee, and he had several Black assistants in that role. Eventually, his work earned him a place as the hunted. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. In fact, his personality was so warm that it comes up in countless contemporary sources detailing his many adventures and arrests. Typically, local posses accompanied Reeves on his expeditions and stakeouts. Bass was also very quick and accurate with a pistol. . The same news-paper reported Reeves in August 1883 bringing in 13 prisoners. Police departments and state agencies took over, meaning that marshals and deputies lost their authority. He married a woman named Nellie Jennie, and they must have been really into each other. The Lone Ranger was an escaped slave named Bass Reeves. The U.S. Fagan had heard about Reeves, who knew the Territory and could speak several Native languages. Picture this on horseback, with a leather saddle and stiff boots. by Art T. Burton | Jan 25, 2021 | Features & Gunfights, This is the best known photograph of Deputy U.S. [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. Reeves was over six feet tall and sported a thick black handlebar mustache. Even with air conditioning, rest stops, gas station snacks, and aux cords, an 800-mile road trip is a serious undertaking. He beat the man BACK AND depending on what you read, either killed him or almost killed him. As the first Black deputy west of the Mississippi River, Reeves arrested more than . Evidently, she felt duped and betrayed by the heavily armed deputy. Bass claimed that he fought in the Civil Warfor the South! In 1848, George was elected tax collector, and in 1850, he was elected sheriff of Grayson County. The legendary lawman was said to. Sebastian County Circuit Judge Jim Spears, now retired, is credited with leading an effort to prominently enshrine the folk hero in bronze. Parker appointed James F. Fagan as U.S. 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 contribute@factinate.com. One of Bass Reeves' warrants was for a notorious outlaw named Bob Dozier, who was wanted for a wide range of crimes from cattle and horse rustling, to holding up banks, stores, and stagecoaches to murder, and land swindles. [5], He was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. Fortunately, he managed to find love again several years later. It was the last thing he ever did. [78] Reeves was born into slavery in Grayson County, Texas in 1838. [1][2] Reeves was named after his grandfather, Basse Washington. These are just a few of the incredible stories of a man who hunted down men nobody else could capture. Interest was, With a budget of $250 million, this summers Disney movie, The Lone Ranger, will be. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 Deputy U.S. Its no wonder he had such a tough reputation among outlaws and lawmen alike. Reeves made a name for himself early in his career when he struck out after the famous outlaw Bob Dozier. Several bad men have gone to their long home for refusing to halt when commanded to by Bass.. He retired at 70 years old and lived out his remaining time in some much-needed peace. 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. [9], Reeves worked for 32 years as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory and became one of Judge Parker's most valued deputies. President Ulysses S. Grant appointed a U.S. congressman from Missouri named Isaac C. Parker to take over the Fort Smith federal court in March 1875. 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. Instead, he always tried to take everyone in alive. Muskogee was unique with two Black business districts that were thoroughly integrated and catered to the diverse population in the frontier town. For example, his grand-nephew, Paul L. Brady, a prominent civil rights activist, became the first black administrative law judge in 1972. Bass Reeves: Lawman, gunslinger, trail-blazer. [3], When the American Civil War began, George Reeves joined the Confederate Army, forcing Bass to go with him. [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. 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. Marshal Bass Reeves, possibly the greatest lawman of the Old West. All Photos Courtesy Art T. Burton Unless Otherwise Noted . Reeves greatest gunfight was in 1884. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. Heartbroken, this is when Bass Reeves took matters into his own hands. Art T. Burton, a retired college history professor, has written four critically acclaimed history books on the American Western frontier. After some malfeasance and misappropriations of federal funds, William Story was fired as the judge of the Western District of Arkansas federal court at Fort Smith. [1][2] He was named after his grandfather, Bass Washington. Enter a grandparent's name. 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. 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. He was also a black dude. Bass set out for the Indian Territory and was taken in by Seminole and Creek Indians. 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 [1] It appears plausible that Reeves was kept in bondage by William Steele Reeves's son, Colonel George R. Reeves -- a Texan sheriff, legislator, and one-time Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives until his death from rabies in 1882. In 1909, the tough lawman finally came across an enemy that he couldnt best: Brights Disease. Reeves couldnt stay on as a ranger forever. Fortunately, it was a lucrative business. After 1900, Muskogee had city police, with two deputy U.S. marshals stationed there, Bass Reeves and a white man David Adams. In 1864 he married Nellie Jennie (d. 1896) and after her death Winnie Sumter (19001910). Federal Judge Paul Brady and his wife Xernona were in Fort Smith on Monday (April 11) to donate a gun, U.S. He and his family were owned by William Steele Reeves, who was originally from Hickman County, Tennessee. Marshals Bill Tilghman (1854-1924), Chris Madsen (1851-1944), and Heck Thomas (1850-1912). Reeves returned fire, striking Dozier in the neck, ending him instantly. Unfortunately for Reeves, this brought change to the face of law enforcement. This page has been accessed 17,324 times. . On one occasion, the ranger was facing off with an outlaw who drew on him. Well, the show was last announced as 1883: The Bass Reeves Story back in May 2022. He appointed [8] James Fagan as U.S. He also learned tracking and other skills from the different Indian tribes. Of guns and documents related to famed deputy U.S. Its no wonder he had such a tough reputation among and... 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