Despite his instantly-recognizable look, rumor has it that the lawman had a few other tricks up his sleeve. We want our readers to trust us. In fact, his personality was so warm that it comes up in countless contemporary sources detailing his many adventures and arrests. Reeves and his companion avoided the first flurry of bullets, and the sound of the laughter pinpointed Doziers location. Tragically, Reeves accidentally shot his cook on one of his trips into the Indian Territory in 1884. He does not know what fear is. This claim was backed up with hard evidence, as well soon discover. The Lone Ranger was very real, but he was not the white man seen on movies and TV. Once And For All, Is The Lone Ranger Based on Bass Reeves? Muskogee was the principal town in the Indian Territory and had a large African American population with many federal offices in town. Reeves was acquitted.[7]. As the years passed, the American government seized more and more territory. 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Dropped Its First Trailer, 'Outer Banks' Season 4 Is Already In the Works, 'The Last of Us' Ep. From the shackles of slavery to the US Marshals Service, Reeves lived a life of conflict, excitement, and heartbreak. He beat the man BACK AND depending on what you read, either killed him or almost killed him. Bass went with George into the war, serving as his body servant. Despite his brutal methods, Reeves was an honorable man to his core. [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. Reeves remained with this federal district until 1897, when he was transferred to the new Northern District of Indian Territory at Muskogee. 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. In 1887, Reeves had to sell his home and farm in the Catcher Community near Van Buren to pay for his first-degree murder defense with attorneys William H.H. The only significant remains of the second fort [built in 1839] are the old stone Commissary Building and Judge Parker's Courtroom, which has been restored. As it turns out, the time to draw seemed to come up a lot. The cook didnt survive and Reeves went on trial for murder. [1] He was one of the first African Americans to receive a commission as a Deputy U.S. [5], Reeves was married twice and had eleven children. Greenleaf had been on the run for 18 years and had murdered three white men and four Indians and had never been arrested. Were always looking for your input! In the late 1870s, although Reeves was a deputy U.S. marshal, much of his work was as a posseman for other deputy U.S. marshals, including Robert J. Reeves was born into slavery and gained his freedom when he escaped during the Civil War, fled to the Indian Territory (Arkansas and Oklahoma) and lived among the Native Americans. 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. It seems that Reeves talents were without end. In 1897, he was transferred again, serving at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Native Territory. On one occasion, Reeves went deep undercover. [5], Reeves and his family farmed until 1875, when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. During his time as a Deputy U.S. 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. After a citizens petition and an exemplary prison record, his son was pardoned and was never in trouble with the law again. Information from: Southwest Times Record, http://www.swtimes.com/, Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Sometime after moving to Texas, Bass became a valet/body servant to William S. Reeves son, George R. Reeves. 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. Its clear at this point that the deputy tracked down and captured a huge number of outlaws. Bass claimed that he fought in the Civil Warfor the South! Reeves was one tough lawman, but apparently, his boss was even tougher. 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 is a member of Western Writers of America and the Chicago Westerners Corral, and was made an honorary territorial marshal by Oklahoma Governor David Walters. (AP) The U.S. Reeves didn't just take it, though. Bass Reeves said the largest haul he made while working for the Fort Smith court was bringing in 19 horse thieves from the Fort Sill area. For the next ten years, he lived a quiet life on his country farm. As usual, Reeves struck out with a posse. 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. Obituaries ran in the white and Black newspapers of Muskogee and were republished across the nation. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. 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 . Muskogee was unique with two Black business districts that were thoroughly integrated and catered to the diverse population in the frontier town. In 1871, the federal court and jail were moved to nearby Fort Smith. Two weeks later he returned to Muskogee with his son and turned him over to Marshal Bennett. After tracking the notorious outlaw, Reeves captured him without much of a struggle. Bass Reeves served as a valet for his masters son during THE CIVIL WAR. Reeves was one of those men. Topping, James H. Mershon and Jacob T. Ayers. Other blacks were also appointed to this position: Dee Rogers, Bob Fortune, Bill Colbert, Neely Factor, Zeke Moore and Grant Johnson. (Reference unknown). They would later have 11 children in the household. [5] He recruited him as one of his deputies and Reeves was the first African-American deputy west of the Mississippi River. This was his first taste of work with the US government in an official capacity. Reeves and Webb had a gunfight in June 1884 near Bywaters Store, which was a stagecoach stop. The Legend of Bass Reeves by author Gary Paulsen is a Western written for young readers. Until then, theres always plenty of Sheridans Paramount shows, such as Yellowstone, 1923, Tulsa King, and Mayor of Kingstown, to feast your eyes on. The following is just a short sampling of Reeves police work in the 1880s. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. 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. Federal Judge Paul Brady and his wife Xernona were in Fort Smith on Monday (April 11) to donate a gun, U.S. [2] He served for two years before he became ill and retired. Bass Reeves is a part of US Black history. (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. In this capacity, his familiarity with the land served him well. "Some say because Bass beat up George after a dispute in a card game. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? He would then memorize their details before striking out to pursue his target. Apparently, the six-foot lawman was a talented actor and took on a variety of aliases and disguises as he prowled outlaw country. Well, the show was last announced as 1883: The Bass Reeves Story back in May 2022. Almost a year out from a planned opening of the new $60 million museum, its the lawmans family tree the curator wants most. He said he took part in the Battle of Pea Ridge, the Battle of Missionary Ridge, and the Battle of Chickamauga. This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 18:56. He bought a small farm and married[6] Nellie Jennie. Reeves was born into slavery in Crawford County, Arkansas, in 1838. Dozier was a cattle-rustler and stagecoach bandit with a seriously bad reputation. However, the ranger never drew his weapon first. Reeves's . Western Books: An Officer of Honor and Grit, Ask the Marshall Bat Masterson: Armed and Dangerous, Lincoln: Prepare Ye the Way for the Horde. 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. Hold your horses though, because theres no official release date for Bass Reeves just yet. 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. Reeves worked hard. Heartbroken, this is when Bass Reeves took matters into his own hands. The details of his sons doings were unpleasant. by Art T. Burton | Jan 25, 2021 | Features & Gunfights, This is the best known photograph of Deputy 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. The new deputy must have been an unmistakable figure in the Old West. During that time he was sent to arrest some of the most desperate characters that ever infested Indian Territory and endangered life and peace in its borders. Bennie was subsequently captured, tried, and convicted. [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. Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 18:56, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, "Bass Reeves, the Most Feared U.S. Deputy Marshal", "Judge Paul L. Brady Retires from Job Safety Commission", "Reaves putting Kane feud aside, joining him for 'much bigger cause', "Rangers winger Ryan Reaves discovers the history behind the family name", "Was the Original 'Lone Ranger' a Black Man? Reeves lived in the protection of his new communities and learned their languages for the next several years. Selma 's David Oyelowo will. 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 Lone Ranger has appeared in thousands of radio episodes, hundreds of television episodes, hundreds of comic books, six films, and dozens of novels. Join the. The Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves coming to town in August 1882 with 16 prisoners. Reeves became known in the early 1880s for bringing prisoners back to the Fort Smith court in double digits. Eventually, Reeves decided he had to fulfill his obligation personally. Dozier shot first, firing at them from a stand of trees. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. In the late 1870s and early 1880s, most guards, turnkeys, cooks and bailiffs for the Fort Smith federal court were African Americans. Colbert began his tenure as a deputy U.S. marshal with the Fort Smith federal court in 1872, three years before Bass Reeves commission. Bass Reeves, the gunslinging lawman, left a serious legacy behind. He retired at 70 years old and lived out his remaining time in some much-needed peace. [3] During the American Civil War, Bass parted company with George Reeves. The men with a $5,000 bounty on their heads woke up in handcuffs. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. Marshal, lives on. . It looked like his luck was finally beginning to turnand more good fortune was on the horizon. http://politicalblindspot.com/the-real-lone-ranger-was-an-african-a https://www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/6408028-Police-His Geni requires JavaScript! Marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy 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. He once said he knew the Indian Territory like a cook knows her kitchen. ", "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. He died in 1910. According to the letter of the law, it didnt matter who they were. During the Civil War . Reeves earned his reputation. [5], One of his sons was charged with the murder of his wife. Is it a sequel to a prequel? In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. These are just a few of the incredible stories of a man who hunted down men nobody else could capture. Reeves methods of enforcement were somewhat unorthodox. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Theyre like, there better be a fucking season two because we already picked it up, he recalled. . Her passing absolutely devastated him. . Marshals Service selected Fort Smith as the site for the national museum. It was probably a pleasant changebut it was not to last. [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]. I dont think of any of these as spinoffs, but rather as complete stories that have common roots, Sheridan told Deadline about 1883. Bass dragged his son into the courtroom himself, and the judge convicted him. The residents of the territory said he could whip any two men with his fist. I think Bass Reeves claim to fame is his persistence, and he bounced back after the murder trial.. He tracked two outlaws to their mothers house in the Red River Valley. 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. Most marshals were afraid to take the caseno one wanted to track down the son of the infamous Bass Reeves. 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. The Arkansas Gazette in September 1884 re-ported Reeves brought 15 prisoners to Fort Smith. Reeves had plenty of shooting to do without the turkeys. So harsh, in fact, that he was given the nickname The Hanging Judge. The reason for this nickname isnt difficult to riddle out. Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. [2], When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Reeves, then 68, became an officer of the Muskogee, Oklahoma police department. There was a fine line between lawmen and outlaws in the Old West, and sometimes, men crossed it. Reeves must not have slept. After escaping his masters, Reeves traveled to Oklahoma, or Indian Territory, as it was known then. BLOODY RECORD OF, Reeves Noted Secret Service Manhunter Dead Muskogee Okla Jan 12, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, 1836-1922. http://www.ifyouonlynews.com/videos/the-lone-ranger-was-real-and-he First black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. Reeves was quicker and dropped the outlaw. It sat on his desk for two days while he decided what to do. Bass was also very quick and accurate with a pistol. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Before Reeves could respond, the gunman shot his belt in half. Fortunately, though, he had some connections. Instead, he always asked somebody to read him the contents of the warrants that the Marshals presented to him. Early in the war, the 11th Texas Cavalry Regiment fought at the Battle of Chustenahlah in the Indian Territory and the Battle of Pea Ridge, also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern. 14 were shot in self-defense. 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. [5], Reeves was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. [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. Though he successfully caught the outlaws, Reeves did not escape from his infiltration unscathed. He got close to the two sons, told tall tales of thievery, and waited. When the men fell asleep, he burst into their room and threw them each in handcuffs. One day, a posse cook caught a bullet from Reeves trusty Colt while the lawman was cleaning it. Deputies would work out of Fort Smith and venture into the Indian Territory with warrants and open warrants. Saddle up, because this ones a bit of a doozyI'll explain Bass Reeves as best as I can. Adams served as Reeves posseman, and they were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee. Art T. Burton, a retired college history professor, has written four critically acclaimed history books on the American Western frontier. Scandalous Facts About Hollywood Celebrities, Lawyers Reveal Their Most Jaw-Dropping Court Cases, Extravagant Facts About Josephine Baker, The Black Pearl of Paris, Couldnt Pay Me To Go Back: Absolutely Wild Stories Of High School Drama, Catherine The Great Was a Mighty EmpressUntil Her Brutal Downfall, These Mortifying Mistakes Make Us Want To Hit Undo. 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. . The Creek Nation had a heavy African Indian population, as did the Seminole Nation. Here, he learned Indian languages, the lay of the land and complete mastery of pistols and rifles. Ryan Reaves, a professional hockey player from Winnipeg, is Basss great-great-great-grandson. Earlier, Upham had commanded the Arkansas State Militia and had destroyed the Ku Klux Klan in that state. [6], Reeves worked for thirty-two years as a Federal peace officer in the Indian Territory. Reeves was interviewed in 1902, and at that time he stated that he had arrested over 3,000 men and women who broke federal law in the Indian Territory. To be fair, it was back when George Reeves still owned him, so he didnt have much of a choice. Fortunately, he managed to find love again several years later. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. Bass Reeves: Lawman, gunslinger, trail-blazer. 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. He took a job as a patrolman with the Muskogee Oklahoma Police Department. 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. Bass Reeves moved to Van Buren, Arkansas. He handed down a hefty sentence: Life in prison. Some say the Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, was based on his life.[17]. Unlike most of his African-American brothers, REEVES was treated with respect and his legend, even as just a U.S. Being ambidextrous he always wore two Colt pistols and he rarely missed his mark. Spears is now leading an effort to erect a bronze statue of Judge Parker downtown. FORT SMITH, Ark. On November 17, 1907, Indian Territory became the new state of Oklahoma. Reeves eventually tracked Dozier down to a hideout in Cherokee territory. At the age of 67, Bass Reeves retired from federal service at Oklahoma statehood in 1907. While he lived with the local Indigenous tribes, Bass became a guide for government officials who traveled through the Indian Territory. The lawman was such a good shot that nobody wanted to face him in competition. [3], Later Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. Reeves was eventually believed and acquitted, possibly based on his exceptional record. This page has been accessed 17,324 times. Just one grandparent can lead you to many For example, his grand-nephew, Paul L. Brady, a prominent civil rights activist, became the first black administrative law judge in 1972. Reeves was in a dangerous profession and, unsurprisingly, had a lot of close calls. Reeves did one thing, and he did it very well: He tracked down outlaws on the lam. Despite taking down over 3,000 outlaws and getting into dozens of dust-ups, the rough and tumble lawman never fell victim to any serious injuries. We may earn a commission from these links. Story was the leader of a feared gang of horse thieves who operated under the highly original name of The Tom Story Gang. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. In 1907, Reeves joined up with the Muskogee law enforcement office in Oklahoma, where he worked for two years. 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. Director Isaiah Washington Writers Robert Johnson Isaiah Washington Stars Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? The Reeves family moved to North Twelfth Street, Park Place, in 1889. Marshal west of the Mississippi River, although he was never a Ranger nor did he ever live in Texas. In 1900, at 62 years old, Reeves married for a second time. Born into slavery, the Arkansas native became a lauded, and legendary U.S. deputy marshal. 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. [2][5] He killed 14 outlaws to defend his life. If you didnt think the .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}Yellowstone extended universe of shows could get any more confusing, well, youd lose that bet today. After the war, George was reelected to the Texas State Legislature, and at his death on September 5, 1882, he was Speaker of the House of Representatives for the State of Texas. He thought hed hit his mark and he burst out in laughter. It should be no surprise, then, that Parker had a soft spot for Reeves. Who Is John Dutton's Grandfather in '1923'? My mom never told me how her best friend died. All were two years in age apart. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He recruited Bass Reeves as one of his deputies because of his knowledge of the territory and tribes. 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. Barton quotes many sources in his book, and many times Reeves is credited with bringing in about a dozen prisoners or more at a time from the Indian Territory to the District Courthouse in Fort Smith. Then, he knocked on the door and asked for a place to rest. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. He died of Bright's disease (nephritis) on January 12, 1910. .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. Bynum Colbert, a Choctaw Freedmen, was a veteran of an Arkansas United States Colored Regiment of the Civil War and served seven years with the 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment post-Civil War. Webb had earlier killed a Black farmer who accidently burned some grazing land on the Washington Ranch. He was 62 tall and extraordinarily strong. Meet 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, which will star David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid. As noted in Art Burtons 2006 book, Black Gun, Silver Star, Reeves has been known to historians for quite some time and was even mentioned in Larry McMurtrys 1997 novel Zeke and Ned. But Reeves is left out of the picture in S.W. 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. More U.S. marshals died in service while hunting down fugitives in the Western District of Arkansas than any other place. Apart from that, 1883 was largely its own show. FORT SMITH, Ark. He married a woman named Nellie Jennie, and they must have been really into each other. 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. Arkansas native Bass Reeves was one of the first black lawmen west of the Mississippi River. But, no matter how well the farm did, Bass Reeves was never meant to be a farmer. Apparently, Christie didnt make things easy, and he escaped. 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 Reeves County in West Texas is named for him. [3] During the Civil War, Bass escaped north into the [4]Indian Territory ,and lived with the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek Indians. Bass Reeves was the first black man to be appointed a U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi. He became the first black man to work as a deputy west of the Mississippi River. Clayton, formerly the U.S. Attorney in Judge Parkers court, and William M. Cravens. The tough man was definitely no stranger to loss in his life, but this was different. He was never KNOWN to make a mistake. Research shows that Reeves stayed in Fort Smith until 1893. Spears said Bill Black presented the idea for a Bass Reeves statue after Spears effort for a statue of President Zachary Taylor did not get traction. In 1848, George was elected tax collector, and in 1850, he was elected sheriff of Grayson County. A crack shot, he won 14 shoot-outs with men who all drew on him first without suffering a single wound. Bass also served as bodyguard, coachman and butler. . He proved this ability time and time again by holstering Colts on both sides. 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. Eighty-two of the U.S. deputy marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith. Reeves reputation quickly spread across the West. Marshals. Bass Reeves began to earn a reputation for his courage and success at bringing in or killing many outlaws of the territory. Most people also know that the portrayal of Tonto as the Lone Rangers sidekick is often stereotypical and racist. His family was owned by the prosperous and politically well-connected family of William Reeves, an early Arkansas legislator . Bass Reeves was born a slave. Reeves is featured in the opening scene of HBO's award-winning series, Watchmen. Neither man backed down. [1] When Bass Reeves was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. The deputy lawman found himself on the wrong side of the law in 1887. In Black Gun, Silver Star, Burton recounts some stories from Adam Grayson, a former resident of Indian Territory, saying that Reeves tore up at least one warrant for a prisoner who outraced his sorrell steed. In '1923 ' went on trial for murder striking out to pursue his target told... Territory, as well soon discover the Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, based! Washington Stars do you question the accuracy of a choice, Christie didnt make things,. Ambidextrous he always asked somebody to read him the contents of the first flurry bullets. Fulfill his obligation personally or killing many outlaws of the warrants that the portrayal Tonto! The Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, was based on his exceptional record up in handcuffs record! Seemed to come up a lot, even as just a few of land! Inc. 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