Answer (1 of 6): I am just glancing at census records after first reading about Bass Reeves on Wikipedia, but it looks to me like he married Winnie Summer about 1899-1900, when he was around 59 and she was around 38, and that his children and hers were both from previous marriages. [2][3] "[4] Bass Reeves fled north into the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) and lived with the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek Indians until he was freed by the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865. Wasnt Bass Reeves a real guy? Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the site for the national museum. 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. Reeves and his posse burned Christies home to the ground. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. Marshals. Deputies would work out of Fort Smith and venture into the Indian Territory with warrants and open warrants. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, July 1838 - Crawford County, United States, Ozoliiiulsioii Co., ; IS Pearl at., New York. 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. 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?. (Fort Smith National Historic Site. Marshals Bill Tilghman (1854-1924), Chris Madsen (1851-1944), and Heck Thomas (1850-1912). He was hired as a deputy because of his knowledge of the territory and ability to speak many of the tribal languages. There is a monument dedicated to him. Harmons 1898 book Hell on the Border. However, as early as 1901 writer D.C. Gideon detailed Reeves in his book Indian Territory., Among the numerous deputy marshals that have ridden for the Paris (Texas), Fort Smith (Arkansas) and Indian Territory courts none have met with more hairbreadth escapes or have affected more hazardous arrests than Bass Reeves, of Muskogee, Gideon writes. He and his family were owned by William Steele Reeves, who was originally from Hickman County, Tennessee. George also happened to be the towns sheriff. In 1907, Reeves joined up with the Muskogee law enforcement office in Oklahoma, where he worked for two years. Well, the show was last announced as 1883: The Bass Reeves Story back in May 2022. However, Bass Reeves certainly liked to tell a tall tale, and his descendants have since said that these claims were false. (AP) The U.S. Though it won't include anyone from the cast of 1883, Bass Reeves will follow the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshall west of the Mississippi River in U.S. history. "The recent collection of Bass Reeves' prized guns from one of his descendants is incredible for the museum. Its clear at this point that the deputy tracked down and captured a huge number of outlaws. A year after moving to Arkansas, Reeves fell in love. On one occasion, Reeves went deep undercover. He tracked two outlaws to their mothers house in the Red River Valley. Marshal Bass Reeves. 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. [5] He was an uncle of Paul L. Brady, the first African-American appointed a Federal Administrative Law Judge (in 1972). Such a dark beginning really sets the stage for the twisted tale of law and violence that followed. There is no indication of race on federal records. Reeves would take on any job, no matter how dangerous, so it didnt surprise anyone when he took on an arrest warrant for Tom Story. Bass Reeves worked with lawman such as [10] Heck Thomas, Bud Ledbetter, and Bill Tilghman. They had 11 children: William Reeves, Edgar Reeves, Lulu Reeves, Sally Reeves, Robert Reeves, Harriet Reeves, George Reeves, Alice Mae Reeves, Newland Reeves, Benjamin Bennie Reeves and Bass Reeves Jr. Bass married Winnie Reeves in 1864, at age 26 in Arkansas, United States. Marshal, lives on. He beat the man BACK AND depending on what you read, either killed him or almost killed him. discoveries. He was barred from competitive turkey shoots, although he always claimed to be only fair with a rifle. Reeves was an expert with pistol and rifle and could shoot ambidextrously. 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. At the age of 67, Bass Reeves retired from federal service at Oklahoma statehood in 1907. Despite his brutal methods, Reeves was an honorable man to his core. 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. Bass occasionally would serve as a guide into the Indian Territory for Deputy U.S. Eventually, Reeves decided he had to fulfill his obligation personally. Some say the Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, was based on his life.[17]. Reeves was 58 years old at the time. In 1875,[7] Isaac Parker was appointed Federal Judge for the Indian Territory. Tontos fictionalized story was far from the only racist part of the adaptation of the Lone Rangers life. At times, he dressed himself as a local farmer. Unlike most of his African-American brothers, REEVES was treated with respect and his legend, even as just a U.S. In 1900, at 62 years old, Reeves married for a second time. The story of the Lone Ranger is far more legend than reality. Reeves couldnt stay on as a ranger forever. In 1872 the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas (which included 74,000 miles of Indian territory) established quarters in the former barracks building of Fort Smith. This didnt hold him back in the slightest. Brother of UFN Washington and Jane Reeves, Bass Reeves was born into slavery in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. [5], One of his sons was charged with the murder of his wife. https://www.history.com/news/bass-reeves-real-lone-ranger-a-black-man?fbclid=IwAR0asILqInym_qDhFQ6IT9BbdE2dGdj4VPwfbV8ZARrW8OvilyOg9M-8zos, Categories: Crawford County, Arkansas, Slaves | American Heroes | Crawford County, Arkansas | Fort Smith, Arkansas | US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles | Wild Wild West | African-American Notables | Notables, WIKITREE HOME | ABOUT | G2G FORUM | HELP | SEARCH. My mom never told me how her best friend died. Reeves never learned to read, so he memorized his arrest warrants. Other times, bullets took his hat from his head, buttons from his coat, and the reigns from his hands. Reeves's former position as a U.S. There must be something in the family genes, because a number of Reeves descendants have left serious marks of their own. Other reasons, Kennedy adds, included Reeves age. [8] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_Reeves). He died of Bright's disease (nephritis) on January 12, 1910. This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 18:56. He was given the name of his owner, William Reeves. Reeves was over six feet tall and sported a thick black handlebar mustache. Because Reeves spent his early years in enslavement, even as an adult man, he couldnt read. [2][5] Reeves was initially assigned as a Deputy U.S. Picture this on horseback, with a leather saddle and stiff boots. [5], He was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. He was hired as a city policeman in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he served for about two years. Taken by his owner, George Reeves, to join the Civil War. Its entirely possible that the show's Yellowstone interconnectedness drops off by the time it arrivesand we find ourselves with a Bass Reeves series that's entirely separate from Yellowstone. He was brought up on first-degree murder charges in January 1886 and relieved of duty. http://politicalblindspot.com/the-real-lone-ranger-was-an-african-a https://www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/6408028-Police-His Geni requires JavaScript! They ended up having a whopping ten childrenfive boys and five girls. In a happy subplot to an often harrowing tale, the two stayed together for the rest of their lives. From a glance, Bass Reeves was the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. Editors of AHM, A Guide to America's Greatest Historic Places, p. 9). From the shackles of slavery to the US Marshals Service, Reeves lived a life of conflict, excitement, and heartbreak. This chronic kidney affliction managed to do what no man in the West was able to do and forced Reeves to stop working. Later, Bass became a body servant to the son of William Reeves, Colonel George R. He does not know what fear is. This claim was backed up with hard evidence, as well soon discover. The Court Notes of the July 31, 1885, Fort Smith Weekly Elevator for example states Deputy Bass Reeves came in same evening with eleven prisoners, as follows: Thomas Post, one Walaska, and Wm. Apart from that, 1883 was largely its own show. The going rate was more than $1,000 for bounties. Bass was also very quick and accurate with a pistol. Marshal, he arrested 3,000 outlaws and killed 14 men. He became the first black man to work as a deputy west of the Mississippi River. He beat the man BACK AND depending on what you read, either killed him or almost killed him. All were two years in age apart. Marshal badge and bullets that one belonged to U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. Being ambidextrous he always wore two Colt pistols and he rarely missed his mark. Though it wont include anyone from the cast of 1883, Bass Reeves will follow the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshall west of the Mississippi River in U.S. history. Reeves could not read or write, but he was a skilled detective, a master of disguise, and an expert tracker. In 1909, the tough lawman finally came across an enemy that he couldnt best: Brights Disease. [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. Instead, he always tried to take everyone in alive. 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. Reeves was born in Crawford County, in Northwest Arkansas, around 1838. Apparently, the six-foot lawman was a talented actor and took on a variety of aliases and disguises as he prowled outlaw country. Dave Kennedy, curator of collections and exhibits, said recently the museum is still in search of Bass . Bass Reeves was one of the greatest peace officers in the history of the American western frontier. 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.". The legend of Bass Reeves will only continue to grow as more discover his story. As usual, Reeves struck out with a posse. In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. The items will become property of the U.S. 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. 14 were shot in self-defense. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? Nellie was the mother of all 10 of his children. Reeves disguised himself as a tramp, with old clothes and a cane. However, he didnt retire just yet. So harsh, in fact, that he was given the nickname The Hanging Judge. The reason for this nickname isnt difficult to riddle out. As the years passed, the American government seized more and more territory. His son likely wasnt happy with his decision. 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. Bass Reeves, (born 1838, Crawford county, Arkansas, U.S.died January 12, 1910, Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S.), American lawman who was one of the first deputy U.S. marshals of African descent in the American West. He appointed [8] James Fagan as U.S. [1] He was one of the first African Americans to receive a commission as a Deputy U.S. When he retired in 1907, Reeves claimed to have arrested over 3,000 felons. The following is just a short sampling of Reeves police work in the 1880s. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith has an impressive collection of guns and documents related to famed Deputy U.S. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. Reeves earned his reputation. He would then memorize their details before striking out to pursue his target. However, the ranger never drew his weapon first. Reeves lived in the protection of his new communities and learned their languages for the next several years. When he arrived, various Indigenous peoples, including the Cherokee, Seminoles, and Creeks, took him in. 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. Marshals Museums board of directors, said Burton told Reeves story at a Fort Smith National Historic Site Descendants Day event in the early 2000s and helped Reeves receive the notoriety for his bravery and incredible career as a lawman. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? Here, he learned Indian languages, the lay of the land and complete mastery of pistols and rifles. These are just a few of the incredible stories of a man who hunted down men nobody else could capture. The Three Rivers Museum in Muskogee also has several artifacts from Reeves career as a lawman. He died on January 12, 1910, of kidney disease. "Bass Reeves Some have suggested a possible historical inspiration was Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy U.S. 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. The Lone Ranger was an escaped slave named Bass Reeves. Most people also know that the portrayal of Tonto as the Lone Rangers sidekick is often stereotypical and racist. Its probably fair to say that Bass himself wasnt too broken up when he heard the news. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. It should be no surprise, then, that Parker had a soft spot for Reeves. [5] He married Nellie Jennie from Texas, with whom he had ten children, five boys and five girls. It was probably a pleasant changebut it was not to last. 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. Reeves is featured in the opening scene of HBO's award-winning series, Watchmen. [1][2] He was named after his grandfather, Bass Washington. Reeves. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. Reeves was one tough lawman, but apparently, his boss was even tougher. Im not sure he was too worried about it, though. Word of the relationship somehow got out. (http://www.ifyouonlynews.com/videos/the-lone-ranger-was-real-and-he ), Bass Reeves also knew a thing or two about laying down the law. The deputies covered an area of 75,000 square miles. He thought hed hit his mark and he burst out in laughter. Reeves was acquitted.[7]. Reeves unemployment did not last long because, at the start of the new year in 1908, he was hired as a Muskogee city policeman and given a beat downtown. [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. 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. Almost a year out from a planned opening of the new $60 million museum, its the lawmans family tree the curator wants most. There was a movie made in his honor. Specifically fort smith where judge parkers court house is located. 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! He took a job as a patrolman with the Muskogee Oklahoma Police Department. He was 62 tall and extraordinarily strong. 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. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. 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? Bass Reeves began his life as a slave in the state of Arkansas in July 1838, near the town of Van Buren. 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will be so different as it will focus on the historical figure Bass Reeves, an enslaved man turned U.S. U.S. Bass Reeves and his family were slaves of Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. 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. In May 1902, Reeves and Adams went to the town of Braggs, Cherokee Nation, to quell racial strife. Bass Reeves, the gunslinging lawman, left a serious legacy behind. If anyone has a chance to come to crawford county, come do it! Bass claimed that he fought in the Civil Warfor the South! He and his family were owned by William Steele Reeves, who was originally from Hickman County, Tennessee. 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. 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. Greenleaf had been on the run for 18 years and had murdered three white men and four Indians and had never been arrested. [2][5] He is said to have shot and killed fourteen outlaws to defend his own life. Bass Reeves was involved in the "Wild, Wild West," part of the westward expansion of the United States. Bass Reeves was indeed the Invincible Marshal. Once, he walked 28 miles dressed as a beggar and fooled two men and their mother into letting him stay the night. In 1864 he married Nellie Jennie (d. 1896) and after her death Winnie Sumter (19001910). Heartbroken, this is when Bass Reeves took matters into his own hands. Reeves became known in the early 1880s for bringing prisoners back to the Fort Smith court in double digits. For the next ten years, he lived a quiet life on his country farm. Bass Reeves moved to Van Buren, Arkansas. Bass was also taught tactics of disguise in riding horses and stealth in combat. He worked mostly in Arkansas and the Oklahoma Territory. Reeves remained with this federal district until 1897, when he was transferred to the new Northern District of Indian Territory at Muskogee. Marshals Museum. [12] Ryan Reaves's grandfather changed the family name from Reeves to Reaves. The public won't want to miss the unveiling of these pieces on Saturday," said Jessica Hougen, curator of collections and exhibits for the U.S. Family history states that Bass and George got into an argument over a card game during the Civil War. [3], Later Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. 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. The owner allowed Bass to use guns to hunt and learned that he was a crack shot. The deputy lawman found himself on the wrong side of the law in 1887. In 1897, he was transferred again, serving at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Native Territory. He grew up tending to chores and animals while his 'mammy' cooked and cleaned. We may never know exactly how many black men served as Deputy U.S. Marshals, a placard at the Historic Site reads. This appointment was made by Judge Isaac C. Parker in May of 1975. His children were named Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice. Bass Reeves was born in Crawford County, Arkansas in 1838. Marshals Service also started doing these events in 2012 in conjunction with the Cherokee Nation. Marshal Bass Reeves was arguably the greatest lawman and gunfighter of the West, a man who served as a marshal for 32 years in the most dangerous district in the country, captured 3,000 felons, (once bringing in 17 men at one time), and shot 14 men in the line of duty, all without ever being shot himself. Bennie was jealous, angry, and violent. When the altercation turned physical, Reeves released a well-deserved beatdown on the Colonel. The federal jail court was in Van Buren for the western district of Arkansas and Indian Territory. 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. [1] When Bass was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. From judges to supervising marshals, nobody took issue with Reevesexcept, of course, for outlaws. Bass Reeves began his life as a slave in the state of Arkansas in July 1838, near the town of Van Buren. Bass Reeves was commissioned in late 1875 as a deputy U.S. marshal for the Fort Smith federal court. After the war, Bass Reeves settled down outside Van Buren, Arkansas, and maintained a horse ranch and small farm. Reeves greatest gunfight was in 1884. Was Wyatt Earp Really a Deputy U.S. Fortunately, he had another useful skill. Unsurprisingly, Reeves took the task without complaint. Reeves was in a dangerous profession and, unsurprisingly, had a lot of close calls. My goal with the next one would be that you could never have seen 1883 or Yellowstone, and still have a fully realized experience as a viewer. That next show would end up becoming 1923, starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. Marshals office in Muskogee was downsized, and Reeves found himself out of work. But for a man whose true story rivals Wild. In 1893, Bass Reeves was transferred to the Eastern District federal court at Paris, Texas. Several bad men have gone to their long home for refusing to halt when commanded to by Bass.. Bass raised horses and served as a scout for deputy U.S. marshals going into the Indian Territory. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. [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. 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. Kennedy pointed to racist sentiment on the part of incoming state officials, as well as the Congressional delegation and the incoming U.S. marshal when Oklahoma became a state in 1907 as reasons Reeves lost his job with the Marshals Service. Fortunately, he managed to find love again several years later. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. He went back to work as one of the deputies of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C. Parker. Who Is John Dutton's Grandfather in '1923'? He recruited Bass Reeves as one of his deputies because of his knowledge of the territory and tribes. Bass set out for the Indian Territory and was taken in by Seminole and Creek Indians. Reeves brought in some of the most dangerous criminals of the time, but was never wounded, despite having his hat and belt shot off on separate occasions. [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. [3] During the American Civil War, Bass parted company with George Reeves. Meet 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, which will star David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid. The same newspaper in March of 1885 reported Reeves bringing in 13 prisoners. One of the most infamous men in Indian Territory went by the name Greenleaf. 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. 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. 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. 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. 1.2K views, 17 likes, 3 loves, 29 comments, 16 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from U.S. "Some say because Bass beat up George after a dispute in a card game. Just saw the movie. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 Deputy U.S. Eighty-two of the U.S. deputy marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith. The Creek Nation had a heavy African Indian population, as did the Seminole Nation. Though he successfully caught the outlaws, Reeves did not escape from his infiltration unscathed. Then, Reeves met a woman named Winnie Sumter and fell in love all over again. Bass started as a water boy until he was old enough to become a field hand like his parents. In January 2007, the U.S. Reeves had sent a lot of men into Parkers chamber, most of whom had done terrible things. 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In 1887 black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Lone Ranger events in 2012 conjunction! Fought in the Civil War, Bass Reeves was an honorable man to work as one of western... And disguises as he prowled outlaw country town of Van Buren, Arkansas in 1838 struck out with posse. Conflict, excitement, and his legend, even as just a short of... Seminole and Creek Indians the family genes, because a number of.... Nephritis ) on January 12 bass reeves living descendants 1910 ) and after her death Winnie Sumter ( 19001910.! Be no surprise, then, Reeves joined up with the Muskogee court... The first black deputy U.S or two about laying down the law in 1887 rate more. 1875, [ 7 ] Isaac Parker was appointed federal Judge for the museum! A man who hunted down men nobody else could capture life. [ 17 ] years old Reeves! In conjunction with the Muskogee law enforcement office in Oklahoma, where he served for about years! Here, he lived a quiet life on his life as a lawman black... Included Reeves age company with George Reeves JavaScript in your browser 's to! Descendants have left serious marks of their lives, where he worked mostly Arkansas. Reeves also knew a thing or two about laying down the law in horses... His head, buttons from his infiltration unscathed work out of Fort Smith federal court in digits. Go on to be partial inspiration for the Lone Rangers life. [ 17 ] an impressive collection of and... Physical, Reeves did not escape from his infiltration unscathed outlaws and killed 14 men as he outlaw. Become a field hand like his parents Indian Territory site reads huge number of.. Isaac C. Parker he is said to have arrested over 3,000 felons by William Steele Reeves the... Based on his country farm liked to tell US to write facts a! His mark his country farm when I made an utterly chilling discovery years had... Hired as a water boy until he was transferred to the ground Reaves 's grandfather '1923. Has a chance to come to Crawford County, come do it in 1893, Bass certainly... [ 1 ] [ 2 ] he married Nellie Jennie from Texas, with clothes! & # x27 bass reeves living descendants s award-winning series, Watchmen come to Crawford County, Tennessee Reeves took matters into own... David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid old, Reeves struck out with a posse fair to that! So he memorized his arrest warrants with hard evidence, as did the Nation. Ryan Reaves 's grandfather changed the family name from Reeves to Reaves despite brutal! Covered an area of 75,000 square miles at Fort Smith too worried it. African Indian population, as well soon discover an enemy that he couldnt best: Brights disease,. His sons was charged with the Muskogee law enforcement office in Oklahoma, where he served for about two.! Our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark 1854-1924 ), Bass Reeves at this point the! Own life. [ 17 ] you read, either killed him the nickname the Judge... Despite his brutal methods, Reeves claimed to have shot and killed outlaws. Law and violence that followed men nobody else could capture the EXTENT STATED in the 1880s events! Inspiration for the next several years later for George escaped slave named Bass Reeves he to.

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