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. Marshals Museum. Some say the Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, was based on his life.[17]. [2], When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Reeves, then 68, became an officer of the Muskogee Police Department. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Its a sequel to a prequel (of sorts), but it can still be viewed and enjoyed separate from Yellowstone. (Fort Smith National Historic Site. Reeves and his companion avoided the first flurry of bullets, and the sound of the laughter pinpointed Doziers location. Moreso, they knew that he would get the job done cleanly and fairly. On November 17, 1907, Indian Territory became the new state of Oklahoma. Reeves was finally able to move around the country freely. [2] He served for two years before he became ill and had to retire. The men with a $5,000 bounty on their heads woke up in handcuffs. [1] When Bass was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. Bass Reeves moved to Van Buren, Arkansas. The Fort Smith National Historic Site has a room dedicated to the history of black lawmen and local military units. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. Reeves was born in Crawford County, in Northwest Arkansas, around 1838. Because it was Bass's son the other deputies were reluctant to take the warrant. All Rights Reserved. Bass Reeves was commissioned in late 1875 as a deputy U.S. marshal for the Fort Smith federal court. Reeves was one tough lawman, but apparently, his boss was even tougher. Bass dragged his son into the courtroom himself, and the judge convicted him. This was his first taste of work with the US government in an official capacity. Despite his brutal methods, Reeves was an honorable man to his core. Reeves reputation quickly spread across the West. Bennie was jealous, angry, and violent. 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. . Sadly, Reeves beloved wife, Nellie Jennie, passed in Fort Smith in 1896. As the years passed, the American government seized more and more territory. 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. [5], Reeves was married twice and had eleven 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. But eventually, it came time for Bass Reeves to set out on his own. Given the 30-odd years he spent as a ranger, this is quite a remarkable achievement. His wife had an affair. 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. 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. [5][6][7][8], Reeves and his family farmed until 1875 when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. Fagan had heard about Reeves, who knew the Indian Territory and could speak several Indian languages. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. He was hired as a city policeman in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he served for about two years. The new deputy must have been an unmistakable figure in the Old West. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. Such a dark beginning really sets the stage for the twisted tale of law and violence that followed. Marshals who worked for the Federal Court at Fort Smith, Arkansas. In total, he found at least twelve cards posted promising his demise. Talk about motherly love! Reeves eventually tracked Dozier down to a hideout in Cherokee territory. The story of the Lone Ranger is far more legend than reality. There must be something in the family genes, because a number of Reeves descendants have left serious marks of their own. As it turns out, the time to draw seemed to come up a lot. Marshals Museum: The museum loves to talk to the descendants of historic Marshals and Deputies and we receive. Other times, bullets took his hat from his head, buttons from his coat, and the reigns from his hands. One account recalls how Bass Reeves and George Reeves had an altercation over a card game. [3] During the Civil War, Bass escaped north into the [4]Indian Territory ,and lived with the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek Indians. The deputies' job was to clean up the Indian Territory. This chronic kidney affliction managed to do what no man in the West was able to do and forced Reeves to stop working. In 1864 he married Nellie Jennie (d. 1896) and after her death Winnie Sumter (19001910). The talented marksman and guide quickly started making a name for himself. Bass accepted the responsibility for finding his son. People in period dress were at the Bass Reeves Memorial on Saturday at Three Rivers Museum. Im sitting here going, Guys, everyone is dead. 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will be another peek inside that era. 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. He died of Bright's disease (nephritis) on January 12, 1910. At this time Bass was married to his wife, Jennie, who was also from Texas, and they had four children. 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. [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. 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. Reeves remained with this federal district until 1897, when he was transferred to the new Northern District of Indian Territory at Muskogee. 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. His family was owned by the prosperous and politically well-connected family of William Reeves, an early Arkansas legislator . All were two years in age apart. Good job on the profile!! The federal jail court was in Van Buren for the western district of Arkansas and Indian Territory. William Steele Reeves, a prominent citizen and politician, enslaved his family. Introducing 'Bass Reeves,' a 'Yellowstone' Spinoff, 'Yellowstone' Season 5 Is "Gonna Be Bloody", Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. He caught over 3000 criminals in his career. Finally, it came time to bring him down. But for a man whose true story rivals Wild. When Dozier heard that Reeves was after him, he sent out word that Reeves was placing his own life in his hands. As usual, Reeves struck out with a posse. Were always looking for your input! Reeves was a deputy U.S . 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. At the age of 67, Bass Reeves retired from federal service at Oklahoma statehood in 1907. He died on January 12, 1910, of kidney disease. Bass got so upset at being cheated, he beat his master down and knocked him out. It was later proven that Ned was not guilty of the crime. Apparently, the six-foot lawman was a talented actor and took on a variety of aliases and disguises as he prowled outlaw country. Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark historyor the chilling secret shared by her and Louis. Western Books: An Officer of Honor and Grit, Ask the Marshall Bat Masterson: Armed and Dangerous, Lincoln: Prepare Ye the Way for the Horde. In the Old West, its hard to separate the good guys from the bad. Native Territory comprised most of what became Eastern Oklahoma on November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma became a state. From the shackles of slavery to the US Marshals Service, Reeves lived a life of conflict, excitement, and heartbreak. He worked mostly in Arkansas and the Oklahoma Territory. (Reference unknown). It focuses on the true story of a little-known marshal who patrolled the old Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. Muskogee was unique with two Black business districts that were thoroughly integrated and catered to the diverse population in the frontier town. George also happened to be the towns sheriff. Art T. Burton, a retired college history professor, has written four critically acclaimed history books on the American Western frontier. After refusing to surrender, Reeves killed Dozier in a gunfight on December 20, 1878.In 1882 Bass Reeves arrested outlaw [12] Belle Starr for horse theft, but some say that Belle Starr turned herself in when she heard that Bass Reeves was looking for her. 1.2K views, 17 likes, 3 loves, 29 comments, 16 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from U.S. Bass Reeves was born into slavery around 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. 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. To be fair, it was back when George Reeves still owned him, so he didnt have much of a choice. Colbert began his tenure as a deputy U.S. marshal with the Fort Smith federal court in 1872, three years before Bass Reeves commission. [5] Reeves had to arrest his own son for murder;[2] Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves was charged with the murder of his own wife. Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. [5] He recruited him as a deputy; Reeves was the first black deputy to serve west of the Mississippi River. Bass Reeves made it impossible for anyone to overlook him as he embarked on a three-decade stint as a deputy lawman under one of the most cutthroat judges in the West. 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. Sebastian County Circuit Judge Jim Spears, now retired, is credited with leading an effort to prominently enshrine the folk hero in bronze. 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. In 1855, George was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Grayson County. He was barred from competitive turkey shoots, although he always claimed to be only fair with a rifle. Marshal. In a happy subplot to an often harrowing tale, the two stayed together for the rest of their lives. Apart from that, 1883 was largely its own show. Many claim this infamous lawman's exploits were the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger. When Reeves faced trial, he was lucky enough to know the right people. Reeves must not have slept. He was apparently well dressed, with spit-polished boots and a striking, wide-brimmed hat on his head. Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves. The rest of the gang disappeared, and no one ever heard from them again. He took a job as a patrolman with the Muskogee Oklahoma Police Department. Theyre like, there better be a fucking season two because we already picked it up, he recalled. Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. Ryan Reaves, a professional hockey player from Winnipeg, is Basss great-great-great-grandson. Reeves was acquitted.[7]. Then, he knocked on the door and asked for a place to rest. While he lived with the local Indigenous tribes, Bass became a guide for government officials who traveled through the Indian Territory. [2][3][4] Bass stayed with these Native American tribes and learned their languages until he was freed by the Thirteenth Amendment's abolishment of slavery in 1865. He grew up tending to chores and animals while his 'mammy' cooked and cleaned. Bass also served as bodyguard, coachman and butler. 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. [2][5] He is said to have shot and killed fourteen outlaws to defend his own life. As early as 1867 there was a posse out of Van Buren, Arkansas, sent to investigate a stagecoach robbery at Atoka, Choctaw Nation, that was led by a deputy U.S. marshal named Negro Smith. Reeves was now 69 years old, the only deputy U.S. marshal I have found that started with Judge Parkers regime in 1875 and worked up to Oklahoma statehood in 1907. Enter a grandparent's name. [2] His family were slaves of Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. The Lone Ranger has appeared in thousands of radio episodes, hundreds of television episodes, hundreds of comic books, six films, and dozens of novels. Abolitionists in the Indian Territory harbored him until it was safe to move. Parker appointed James F. Fagan as U.S. [5], Reeves and his family farmed until 1875, when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. So what about Bass Reeves? In real life, he carried a .44 caliber . Marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. One day, Benjamins wife suddenly passed under extremely suspicious circumstances. It looked like his luck was finally beginning to turnand more good fortune was on the horizon. Marshals. The legendary lawman was said to. This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 18:56. It is unclear how, and exactly when, Bass Reeves escaped, but at some point during the Civil War, he gained his freedom. He was hired as a deputy because of his knowledge of the territory and ability to speak many of the tribal languages. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. The Creek Nation had a heavy African Indian population, as did the Seminole Nation. prisoners. Fortunately, he managed to find love again several years later. 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. Was Wyatt Earp Really a Deputy U.S. Marshals Bill Tilghman (1854-1924), Chris Madsen (1851-1944), and Heck Thomas (1850-1912). This appointment was made by Judge Isaac C. Parker in May of 1975. When Reeves drew his warrant, Story drew his Coltbig mistake. [78] Reeves was born into slavery in Grayson County, Texas in 1838. [3] During the American Civil War, Bass parted company with George Reeves. After the war, Bass Reeves settled down outside Van Buren, Arkansas, and maintained a horse ranch and small farm. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? [2] He served for two years before he became ill and retired. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith has an impressive collection of guns and documents related to famed Deputy U.S. In 1865 the Civil War ended and slaves were freed by the[5]Thirteenth Amendment. [6] Reeves served in that district until 1893, when he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas. 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