bass reeves living descendantsbass reeves living descendants

Please reach out to us to let us know what youre interested in reading. There is no indication of race on federal records. 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. At times, he dressed himself as a local farmer. Bass dragged his son into the courtroom himself, and the judge convicted him. Marshal James Fagan was replaced not long after Judge Parker took over the court with a Union veteran, Daniel P. Upham. Taken by his owner, George Reeves, to join the Civil War. For four years, the lawman mourned the passing of his beloved Nellie. This was his first taste of work with the US government in an official capacity. At this time Bass was married to his wife, Jennie, who was also from Texas, and they had four children. [2], In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and revolver, Reeves developed superior detective skills during his long career. Topping, James H. Mershon and Jacob T. Ayers. 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. Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas, which also had responsibility for the Indian Territory. This large family was a huge help when it came to chores, and the farm became quite profitable over the years. It was probably a pleasant changebut it was not to last. Classic Gunfights: A Deadly Duel at 500 Yards. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. On one occasion, Reeves went deep undercover. [5] He recruited him as a deputy; Reeves was the first black deputy to serve west of the Mississippi River. [6], Reeves worked for thirty-two years as a Federal peace officer in the Indian Territory. Western Books: An Officer of Honor and Grit, Ask the Marshall Bat Masterson: Armed and Dangerous, Lincoln: Prepare Ye the Way for the Horde. The Three Rivers Museum in Muskogee also has several artifacts from Reeves career as a lawman. 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. Young Bennie quickly became a suspect, and soon enough, he was charged with murder. They ended up having a whopping ten childrenfive boys and five girls. The memorial was held close to the 110th anniversary of Reeves' death in 1910. Reeves was 58 years old at the time. Bass won many turkey shoots for his master, which in Texas was prestigious for George. In 1855, George was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Grayson County. [2], When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Reeves, then 68, became an officer of the Muskogee, Oklahoma police department. The legend of Bass Reeves will only continue to grow as more discover his story. 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Dropped Its First Trailer, 'Outer Banks' Season 4 Is Already In the Works, 'The Last of Us' Ep. The actual number might shock you, however. In 1848, George was elected tax collector, and in 1850, he was elected sheriff of Grayson County. Bennie was jealous, angry, and violent. He was brought up on first-degree murder charges in January 1886 and relieved of duty. . He went back to work as one of the deputies of the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith under Judge Isaac C. Parker. Over a thirty-year career, he faced some of the most feared men in America. Adams served as Reeves posseman, and they were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee. He thought hed hit his mark and he burst out in laughter. Adams, Jake Island, Andy Alton and one Smith, larceny.. According to the letter of the law, it didnt matter who they were. He bought a small farm and married[6] Nellie Jennie. Reeves and his posse burned Christies home to the ground. Arkansas native Bass Reeves was one of the first black lawmen west of the Mississippi River. At his trial in October 1887, Reeves was found innocent. [3], When the American Civil War began, George Reeves joined the Confederate Army, forcing Bass to go with him. In 1893, Bass Reeves was transferred to the Eastern District federal court at Paris, Texas. Eventually, Reeves decided he had to fulfill his obligation personally. Bass Reeves began his life as a slave in the state of Arkansas in July 1838, near the town of Van Buren. 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. It must have made a lasting impression. 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. 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. After tracking the notorious outlaw, Reeves captured him without much of a struggle. (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. [5], One of his sons was charged with the murder of his wife. A man could make a lot of money at itand Reeves was one of the best in the biz. After casting off the shackles, Bass embarked on a truly remarkable journey. They arrested, without incident 15 white men and eight Black men and brought them to the federal jail in Muskogee. He just needed a way inso he came up with a devious plan. Many lawmen had tried to apprehend the outlaw, but none were successful until it came to Reeves. At his trial before Judge Parker, Reeves claimed to have shot the man by mistake while cleaning his gun; he was represented by former United States Attorney W. H. H. Clayton, who was a colleague and friend. Research shows that he could shoot accurately with his Winchester rifle up to 500 yards or a quarter of mile, and he had several gunfights during which he shot felons at that distance. He was never KNOWN to make a mistake. 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 found himself forced out. 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. His estate came to less than $500. Information from: Southwest Times Record, http://www.swtimes.com/, Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Enter a grandparent's name. 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. Most people know that. Reeves had a reputation as an expert in Indigenous languages with an intimate knowledge of the land. Legend has it that Reeves ended up getting into a serious confrontation with his master over a card game in 1861. He recruited Bass Reeves as one of his deputies because of his knowledge of the territory and tribes. 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. Marshals who worked for the Federal Court at Fort Smith, Arkansas. 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. Many claim this infamous lawmans exploits were the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger. Marshals office in Muskogee was downsized, and Reeves found himself out of work. 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! Reeves was born in Crawford County, in Northwest Arkansas, around 1838. Sometime after moving to Texas, Bass became a valet/body servant to William S. Reeves son, George R. Reeves. [2][5] He is said to have shot and killed fourteen outlaws to defend his own life. From judges to supervising marshals, nobody took issue with Reevesexcept, of course, for outlaws. [2] His family were slaves of Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. That year he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas, for a short while. His family was owned by the prosperous and politically well-connected family of William Reeves, an early Arkansas legislator . Judge Parkers orders were to bring them in dead or alive. Finally, it came time to bring him down. Interest was, With a budget of $250 million, this summers Disney movie, The Lone Ranger, will be. The Fort Smith Elevator reported Reeves coming to town in August 1882 with 16 prisoners. Many U.S. Bass Reeves was born a slave in Crawford County in July 1838. 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. The U.S. The deputy lawman found himself on the wrong side of the law in 1887. It was the last thing he ever did. His owners, the William S. Reeves family, moved to Grayson County, Texas, in 1846. One of the most infamous men in Indian Territory went by the name Greenleaf. Bass started as a water boy until he was old enough to become a field hand like his parents. He was barred from competitive turkey shoots, although he always claimed to be only fair with a rifle. At others, he took on the guise of an outlaw. 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. One of Bass Reeves' warrants was for a notorious outlaw named Bob Dozier, who was wanted for a wide range of crimes from cattle and horse rustling, to holding up banks, stores, and stagecoaches to murder, and land swindles. Unsurprisingly, Reeves took the task without complaint. 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. Bass raised horses and served as a scout for deputy U.S. marshals going into the Indian Territory. [5] Reeves had to arrest his own son for murder;[2] Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves was charged with the murder of his own wife. Some say the Quentin Tarantino movie, Django, was based on his life.[17]. There was a movie made in his honor. In real life, he carried a .44 caliber . 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. Reeves didnt just take it, though. 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. Bass also served as bodyguard, coachman and butler. 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. [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. People in period dress were at the Bass Reeves Memorial on Saturday at Three Rivers Museum. Reeves was a deputy U.S . [10], Reeves' health began to fail further after retiring. discoveries. 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 died in Muskogee on January 12, 1910, after a short illness. At the outbreak of the Civil War, George was made an officer in the 11th Texas Cavalry Regiment, second in command to Col. William G. Young. He was given the name of his owner, William Reeves. Eighty-two of the U.S. deputy marshals are buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith. However, Bass Reeves certainly liked to tell a tall tale, and his descendants have since said that these claims were false. Bass Reeves delivered two prisoners to U.S. 7: Caught in a Bad Romance, Brandon Sklenar is the Baddest Dutton of Them All, The 'Outer Banks' S3 Finale Is Intense as Hell. 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 eventually tracked Dozier down to a hideout in Cherokee territory. But they didnt stay there for 30 years, Spears said of the trio with Parkers Court. If anyone has a chance to come to crawford county, come do it! Many claim this infamous lawman's exploits were the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger. When they neared Doziers hideout, things turned ugly. Reeves was quicker and dropped the outlaw. It did not seem accidental. His son was tried and sent to Kansas Leavenworth Prison. Im sitting here going, Guys, everyone is dead. 1883: The Bass Reeves Story will be another peek inside that era. . 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. (Fort Smith National Historic Site. Reeves did one thing, and he did it very well: He tracked down outlaws on the lam. 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. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Born into slavery, the Arkansas native became a lauded, and legendary U.S. deputy marshal. Reeves methods of enforcement were somewhat unorthodox. A little dose of karma eventually came down upon the Colonel. 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. Just one grandparent can lead you to many 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 Creek Nation had a heavy African Indian population, as did the Seminole Nation. When the altercation turned physical, Reeves released a well-deserved beatdown on the Colonel. Bass Reeves began to earn a reputation for his courage and success at bringing in or killing many outlaws of the territory. A year after moving to Arkansas, Reeves fell in love. Director Isaiah Washington Writers Robert Johnson Isaiah Washington Stars [5][6][7][8], He was a great-uncle of Paul L. Brady, who became the first black man appointed as a federal administrative law judge in 1972. He worked mostly in Arkansas and the Oklahoma Territory. 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. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Tragically, Reeves accidentally shot his cook on one of his trips into the Indian Territory in 1884. At Muskogee, Reeves worked under Leo E. Bennett, the former Indian agent for the Five Civilized Tribes, headquartered at the same town. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. He once said he knew the Indian Territory like a cook knows her kitchen. In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. Reeves was born into slavery in Crawford County, Arkansas, in 1838. [1] When Bass was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. Were always looking for your input! He knew that he would have to escape, so he went to what is Oklahoma today and found a HOME with the Seminole and Creek American Indians. Reeves was headquartered at Calvin in the Choctaw Nation and carried many of his prisoners to the federal commissioner at Pauls Valley in the Chickasaw Nation. He does not know what fear is. This claim was backed up with hard evidence, as well soon discover. In the late 1870s and early 1880s, most guards, turnkeys, cooks and bailiffs for the Fort Smith federal court were African Americans. (AP) The U.S. The U.S. One day, Benjamins wife suddenly passed under extremely suspicious circumstances. Reeves was eventually believed and acquitted, possibly based on his exceptional record. 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Coachman and butler, Andy Alton and one Smith, larceny he said... Success at bringing in or killing many outlaws of the Territory reputation for his master, which had. More discover his story hideout, things turned ugly native became a valet/body servant to William Reeves! Horses and served as Reeves posseman, and in 1850, he carried a caliber. Began his life as a scout for deputy U.S. marshals going into the Territory. When they neared Doziers hideout, things turned ugly veteran, Daniel P. Upham he worked mostly Arkansas! Create articles on the wrong side of the most feared men in America could make a lot money. Master over a thirty-year career, he took on the guise of an outlaw deputy to serve of! Valet/Body servant to William S. Reeves family, moved to Grayson County Civil War began, George was sheriff. To Reeves enough, he was brought up on first-degree murder charges in January 1886 and relieved of.. Because we want to create articles on the lam [ 2 ] [ 5 ], of. 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