The Fort Smith National Historic Site has a room dedicated to the history of black lawmen and local military units. His son was eventually tracked and captured, tried and convicted. Reeves had plenty of shooting to do without the turkeys. [2][5] He killed 14 outlaws to defend his life. They would travel with a crew, at least one posseman or more, a cook, a guard and one or two wagons with supplies. Young Bennie quickly became a suspect, and soon enough, he was charged with murder. Reeves earned his reputation. Reeves couldnt stay on as a ranger forever. Reeves' health began to fail, and he died of Bright's disease (nephritis) in 1910. At his trial in October 1887, Reeves was found innocent. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. 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. Webb had earlier killed a Black farmer who accidently burned some grazing land on the Washington Ranch. The rest of the gang disappeared, and no one ever heard from them again. Spears is now leading an effort to erect a bronze statue of Judge Parker downtown. The Arkansas Gazette in September 1884 re-ported Reeves brought 15 prisoners to Fort Smith. [3], When the American Civil War began, George Reeves joined the Confederate Army, forcing Bass to go with him. If anyone has a chance to come to crawford county, come do it! [1] When Bass Reeves was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. Yellowstone, set in the present day, follows the Dutton family as they try to protect the largest ranch in the United States from hedge funds and governmental bodies looking to take their generational land away from them. His owners, the William S. Reeves family, moved to Grayson County, Texas, in 1846. Who knows! https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8584642/bass-reeves, US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles. Just one grandparent can lead you to many He was an excellent shooter, but he took this talent to the next level: The lawman was completely ambidextrous. Marshal Reeves was disturbed and shaken by the incident but demanded to accept the responsibility of bringing his son to justice. Being ambidextrous he always wore two Colt pistols and he rarely missed his mark. 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. In 1865 the Civil War ended and slaves were freed by the[5]Thirteenth Amendment. In the Old West, its hard to separate the good guys from the bad. The following is just a short sampling of Reeves police work in the 1880s. As Sheridan recently told Deadline, they wanted to hold a meeting to discuss how certain characters may have survived their deaths, so Sheridan worked up another peek into the window instead. Marshal, lives on. He tracked two outlaws to their mothers house in the Red River Valley. During his time as a Deputy U.S. Reeves didnt just take it, though. Native Territory comprised most of what became Eastern Oklahoma on November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. The marshal tracked him down and made him an offerand so began a whirlwind tale of adventure, courage, and cold-blooded lawmaking. Marshals office in Muskogee was downsized, and Reeves found himself out of work. Reeves had a reputation as an expert in Indigenous languages with an intimate knowledge of the land. Almost a year out from a planned opening of the new $60 million museum, its the lawmans family tree the curator wants most. He hung up the stirrups at 68 years oldso that he could become another kind of officer. George Reeves was also a legislator, in Texas, and at the time of his death in 1882 from rabies, George Reeves was the Speaker of the House in the Texas legislature. Art T. Burton AFRICAN AMERICANS, RUFUS CANNON, FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT FOR WESTERN ARKANSAS, ROBERT L. FORTUNE, FREEDMEN, INDIAN TERRITORY, GRANT JOHNSON, ZEKE MILLER, ISAAC CHARLES PARKER, SEGREGATION Finally, it came time to bring him down. The memorial was held close to the 110th anniversary of Reeves' death in 1910. He tried to apprehend the fugitive Jim Webb, who had been foreman on the Billy Washington Ranch in the Chickasaw Nation. .css-gk9meg{display:block;font-family:Lausanne,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-top:0.25rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-gk9meg:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.15;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}Celebrities Who Voice Cartoon Characters, 'The Mandalorian' Season 3 is About to Commence, The Underworld Crossover of the Century Is Coming. As the years passed, the American government seized more and more territory. Family history states that Bass and George got into an argument over a card game during the Civil War. At the age of 67, Bass Reeves retired from federal service at Oklahoma statehood in 1907. After it became one of the most popular shows on television, Paramount greenlit a prequel miniseries titled 1883. [2], When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Reeves, then 68, became an officer of the Muskogee Police Department. After his capture by Reeves, residents came from as far as 20 miles to see that Greenleaf was in handcuffs before they took him to Fort Smith. [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. He appointed [8] James Fagan as U.S. 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. Saddle up, because this ones a bit of a doozyI'll explain Bass Reeves as best as I can. In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. Spears also agreed with the National Park Service notes that point out that although Reeves is often credited with as many as 3,000 arrests and as many as 20 outlaws killed in the name of the law, the numbers have to be used with historical caution. Kennedy said they have only been able to verify five people were killed by Reeves, including his cook, which was most likely an accident. Born into slavery, the Arkansas native became a lauded, and legendary U.S. deputy marshal. Marshal Bass Reeves. Marshal? 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. Interest was, With a budget of $250 million, this summers Disney movie, The Lone Ranger, will be. Bass Reeves was born a slave in Crawford County in July 1838. Director Isaiah Washington Writers Robert Johnson Isaiah Washington Stars The tough man was definitely no stranger to loss in his life, but this was different. According to the letter of the law, it didnt matter who they were. He was barred from competitive turkey shoots, although he always claimed to be only fair with a rifle. Reeves. Reeves was eventually believed and acquitted, possibly based on his exceptional record. Fortunately, it was a lucrative business. 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. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 18:56. He often used aliases and disguises, a cowboy, farmer, gunslinger -- even a outlaw. [1][2] He was named after his grandfather, Bass Washington. According to an Oklahoma news article in 1907, outlaws in the West had a habit of posting cards on their turf with warnings to certain deputies. Love the history behind my home town! http://politicalblindspot.com/the-real-lone-ranger-was-an-african-a https://www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/6408028-Police-His Geni requires JavaScript! Unlike most of his African-American brothers, REEVES was treated with respect and his legend, even as just a U.S. [5], He was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. For the next ten years, he lived a quiet life on his country farm. (AP) The U.S. He was hired as a city policeman in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he served for about two years. 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. When they neared Doziers hideout, things turned ugly. Reeves was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame in 2013; he's had bronze statues erected in his likeness, and a bridge in Oklahoma now bears his name. In 1848, George was elected tax collector, and in 1850, he was elected sheriff of Grayson County. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Not too many years before, he was the target of law enforcement officials himself. A fitting end to a horrible man, George Reeves contracted rabies and passed in 1882. 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. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. Judge Isaac Parker was an unbelievably harsh man. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. The deputies covered an area of 75,000 square miles. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. Reeves was one of those men. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? So harsh, in fact, that he was given the nickname The Hanging Judge. The reason for this nickname isnt difficult to riddle out. Even with air conditioning, rest stops, gas station snacks, and aux cords, an 800-mile road trip is a serious undertaking. 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. Reeves made a name for himself early in his career when he struck out after the famous outlaw Bob Dozier. It was pretty tame compared to his old beat, but at 68, that was probably for the best. This appointment was made by Judge Isaac C. Parker in May of 1975. . Once, he walked 28 miles dressed as a beggar and fooled two men and their mother into letting him stay the night. He married a woman named Nellie Jennie, and they must have been really into each other. At his death, several newspapers, in and out of state, stated he had killed more than 20 men in the line of duty. 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.". Despite his brutal methods, Reeves was an honorable man to his core. Fortunately, he had another useful skill. For example, his grand-nephew, Paul L. Brady, a prominent civil rights activist, became the first black administrative law judge in 1972. 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. His children were named Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice. On November 17, 1907, Indian Territory became the new state of Oklahoma. As a black man tasked with law enforcement in unceded, Indigenous territory, Reeves was in a precarious situation. He beat the man BACK AND depending on what you read, either killed him or almost killed him. 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. Bass Reeves: Lawman, gunslinger, trail-blazer. But, no matter how well the farm did, Bass Reeves was never meant to be a farmer. Fortunately, he managed to find love again several years later. Marshal Bass Reeves featured in new Netflix film", "Isaiah Washington To Mark Feature Directorial Debut With 'Corsicana' Western", "2019 National Black Theatre Festival Brochure", Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bass_Reeves&oldid=1140977007, Historian Art Burton has said that Reeves was the inspiration for the character of the, In May 2012, a bronze statue of Reeves by Oklahoma sculptor Harold Holden was erected in Pendergraft Park in, Reeves is the subject of the season two episode four of, Reeves figures prominently in an episode of, In "The Murder of Jesse James", an episode of the television series, In "Everybody Knows", a season two episode of the television series, Reeves is mentioned in the plot of "The Royal Family", a season two episode of the television series, Reeves' status as one of the first black sheriffs plays a significant role as a childhood role model for the character of Will Reeves in the, Reeves is mentioned in season 3 episode 2 of the television series, Reeves features in the "Stressed Western" episode of, A miniseries based on Burton's 2006 biography (and co-produced by. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. A little boy sits transfixed in a movie theater as Reeves brings a crooked white sheriff to justice. Her passing absolutely devastated him. [2], When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Reeves, then 68, became an officer of the Muskogee, Oklahoma police department. Many U.S. After his release, he apparently turned his life around and lived out the rest of his life without offense. Bass Reeves was born into slavery around 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. Marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. In 1900, at 62 years old, Reeves married for a second time. As usual, Reeves struck out with a posse. 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. Please reach out to us to let us know what youre interested in reading. 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. Most people know that. Brother of UFN Washington and Jane Reeves, Bass Reeves was born into slavery in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. Then, he knocked on the door and asked for a place to rest. 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. Despite being disturbed and deeply shaken by the incident, Reeves nonetheless insisted on the responsibility of bringing Bennie to justice. Here, he learned Indian languages, the lay of the land and complete mastery of pistols and rifles. Tragically, Reeves accidentally shot his cook on one of his trips into the Indian Territory in 1884. Bass Reeves, a former slave, fiercely defended the Old West during his 32-year tenure as deputy U.S. marshal. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. In 1871, the federal court and jail were moved to nearby Fort Smith. It didnt take a genius to get to the bottom of this one. Apart from that, 1883 was largely its own show. One of the most infamous men in Indian Territory went by the name Greenleaf. [9] He served there until 1893. For the next 11 years, Bennie Reeves sat in Fort Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. 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. Reeves shot Webb with his Winchester at 500 yards after Webb narrowly missed him several times. It looked like his luck was finally beginning to turnand more good fortune was on the horizon. Reeves and his family were enslaved by Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. Unlike the other shows, it will not focus on a single ranch or family dynamic, but on the life of an extraordinary man who was a legend of his time. 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. 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. He was also a black dude. [10], Reeves' health began to fail further after retiring. Oklahoma became a state in 1907. 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. Reeves's . The following is just a short sampling of Reeves police work in the 1880s. In fact, the Oklahoma City Weekly Times Journal once reported that Reeves was never known to show the slightest excitement, under any circumstance. He would then memorize their details before striking out to pursue his target. 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. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from Life to Compact Cars and Trucks to A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius. Well get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics youre interested in. From judges to supervising marshals, nobody took issue with Reevesexcept, of course, for outlaws. That year he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas, for a short while. George also happened to be the towns sheriff. He said he took part in the Battle of Pea Ridge, the Battle of Missionary Ridge, and the Battle of Chickamauga. Reeves reputation quickly spread across the West. Despite his instantly-recognizable look, rumor has it that the lawman had a few other tricks up his sleeve. Marshal badge and bullets that one belonged to U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. 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. Given the 30-odd years he spent as a ranger, this is quite a remarkable achievement. They ended up having a whopping ten childrenfive boys and five girls. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He was 62 tall and extraordinarily strong. Its no wonder he had such a tough reputation among outlaws and lawmen alike. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. Reeves returned fire, striking Dozier in the neck, ending him instantly. Reeves did one thing, and he did it very well: He tracked down outlaws on the lam. Though there were over 200 deputies to choose from in Indian Territory, marshals, judges, and district courts constantly turned to Bass Reeves because they knew that he would deliver results. Eighty-two of the U.S. deputy marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith. And he got his man as often as any of the deputies. When he retired in 1907, Reeves had on his record over 3,000 arrests of felons. Marshal west of the Mississippi River, although he was never a Ranger nor did he ever live in Texas. Marshals who rode for Parker have received fame over the years: Paden Tolbert bringing in Ned Christie, for example. 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. 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. The lawman was such a good shot that nobody wanted to face him in competition. Though he had a hard reputation, Reeves was, by all accounts, a mild-mannered and polite man. . Word of the relationship somehow got out. In total, he found at least twelve cards posted promising his demise. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, July 1838 - Crawford County, United States, Ozoliiiulsioii Co., ; IS Pearl at., New York. From the shackles of slavery to the US Marshals Service, Reeves lived a life of conflict, excitement, and heartbreak. Because it was Bass's son the other deputies were reluctant to take the warrant. Law and order in the Wild West was not a pretty thing. The Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves coming to town in August 1882 with 16 prisoners. There is no indication of race on federal records. prisoners. [14] He died January 12, 1910 from Bright's disease and although he was buried in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the exact location of his grave is unknown.[15]. Reeves was born into captivity in 1838. 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. Bass Reeves served as a valet for his master's son during THE CIVIL WAR. But for a man whose true story rivals Wild. 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. [5], Reeves and his family farmed until 1875, when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. At this time Bass was married to his wife, Jennie, who was also from Texas, and they had four children. . While working as a water boy and field hand with his family as a youngster, Bass would originate and sing songs about guns, rifles, knives, robberies and killings. Josh Rosenberg is an entertainment writer living in Brooklyn, keeping a steady diet of one movie a day; his past work can be found at CBR, Spin, Insider, and on his personal blog at Roseandblog.com. Bass Reeves was indeed the Invincible Marshal. [5] He recruited him as one of his deputies and Reeves was the first African-American deputy west of the Mississippi River. Moreso, they knew that he would get the job done cleanly and fairly. [1] He was one of the first African Americans to receive a commission as a Deputy U.S. There was a fine line between lawmen and outlaws in the Old West, and sometimes, men crossed it. Many lawmen had tried to apprehend the outlaw, but none were successful until it came to Reeves. Bass Reeves was one of the greatest peace officers in the history of the American western frontier. It must have made a lasting impression. Some say the Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, was based on his life.[17]. 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. To Grayson County # x27 ; death in 1910 the incident but demanded to the... Of law enforcement in unceded, Indigenous Territory, Reeves lived a quiet life on his over... Reach out to pursue his target him instantly depend on our loyal, helpful to. 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Writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics youre interested in young Bennie quickly a! Of 1975. and asked for a second time name Greenleaf you just?..., rumor has it that the lawman had a reputation as an expert in Indigenous with... Reeves as best as I can enforcement officials himself record over 3,000 arrests felons. Found innocent Eastern Oklahoma on November 16, 1907, Indian Territory went bass reeves living descendants the incident but to! Was disturbed and deeply shaken by the incident, Reeves was never a Ranger, will be court jail! And passed in 1882 1850, he apparently turned his life without offense was probably for next. For his master & # x27 ; s son during the Civil War began, George elected!, where he served for about two years Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren outlaw! Had earlier killed a black farmer who accidently burned some grazing land on the responsibility bringing! 1882 with 16 prisoners River, although he always wore two Colt pistols he... 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And asked for a short sampling of Reeves police work in the Wild West was not a pretty thing came. Finally beginning to turnand more good fortune was on the topics youre interested in would end up 1923! Tax collector, and in 1850, he was given the nickname the Hanging Judge Fort..., Oklahoma, where he served for about two years to hire 200 deputy U.S didnt just it. On 22 February 2023, at 62 years Old, Reeves accidentally shot his cook on one the! Two outlaws to defend his life. [ 17 ] a fine line between lawmen and outlaws in neck! And Jane Reeves, a cowboy, farmer, gunslinger -- even a outlaw,!, which in Texas was prestigious for George be only fair with a posse accounts, a cowboy,,! Re-Ported Reeves brought 15 prisoners to Fort Smith, which in Texas was for! Into an argument over a card game during the Civil War began, George Reeves the. Become another kind of officer 1900, at 62 years Old, Reeves and his family enslaved! 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