When Isaac C. Parker was appointed judge for the Federal Western District Court at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on May 10, 1875, to bring law to the Indian Territory, one of his first official acts was to swear in a United States marshal and appoint 200 deputies to curb the lawlessness in the area. The Lone Ranger, the iconic character who was virtually synonymous with the myth of the American West, was played by a white man, even though his character may have possibly been inspired by Reeves. In honor of Black History month, I wanted to introduce one of the greatest lawmen in US history and the inspiration for the Lone Ranger television series and movies. Born Crawford Goldsby in 1876, Bill and his group, the Cook Gang, ravaged the Indian territory in 1895 and 1896. All copyrighted materials included within the Handbook of Texas Online are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Reeves approached the three murderous Brunter brothers and handed them a warrant for their arrest. After 1907 the role and the duties of the United States deputy marshal as a primary law-enforcement officer were assumed by state agencies. Reeves had eleven children from two marriages. years before being tracked down and killed after refusing to surrender. Depending on the outlaws for whom he was searching, a deputy would generally take with him from Fort Smith, a wagon, a cook, and a Native American posseman. The Pacific Reporter, Volume, 95. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Led by the 18-year-old Rufus Buck(center), the members of the gang included Maoma July, Lucky Davis, Sam Sampson, and Lewis Davis. Sally Reeves 1864 - Unknown. . Bass Reeves was noted for his evenhandedness, honesty and integrity. In 1895, she earned a contract from the postal service as a route carrier. Reeves was also skilled at disguising himself During the two years that he served in this capacity, there were reportedly no crimes on his beat. Bass Reeves was born on the 16th of July 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas, and named after his grandfather Bass Washington. [3] Several people petitioned for his release including E.H. Hubbard of the U.S. Marshals Office, Eastern District of Oklahoma who wrote: I have known Reeves since he was a boy. There are many sources with expanded information about Bass Reeves in books and articles, (. Winnie was a Cherokee Freedman.[1]. If the man Reeves arrested could not read, then the deputy had to locate someone who could to make sure that he had the right person. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Later Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. an African American who made a difference in this country. He waited along the route Tom Story used, and surprised him with an arrest warrant. Nats father passed away when he was about 15 years old. Beetzs character in The Harder They Fall is about 30 years younger than the actual Stagecoach Mary would have been in the late 1800s. The leader of the Rufus Buck Gang, a group of black and mixed-race teenage boys who committed horrible crimes against settlers in the Indian Territory that eventually became known as Oklahoma. Ben grew into a tall, lean man with slate blue eyes. The 13th Amendment is proclaimed, abolishing slavery in the United States. He also tracked Reeves was well aware of the historic precedent, and took his responsibilities seriously. After the death of his wife, Reeves married Winnie Sumter of Muskogee, Okla., and. Bass Reeves, the first black commissioned United States deputy marshal west of the Mississippi River, was born to enslaved parents in July 1838 near Paris, Texas. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? It includes the descendants of these slaves. You can always change this later in your Account settings. One of the high points of Reeves career was apprehending a notorious outlaw named Bob Dozier. When the and arrested his own son after a two week manhunt. Daniel F. Littlefield, Jr., and Lonnie E. Underhill, "Negro Marshal in Indian Territory," Journal of Negro History 56 (April 1971). Oops, something didn't work. He died in 1910 from nephritis. In 1893, he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas, and in 1897, to serve at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Indigenous territory. Freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and no longer a fugitive, Reeves left Indian Territory and bought land near Van Buren, Arkansas, where he became a successful farmer and rancher. Bass Reeves (1838 - 1910) (shown) was a former slave who became a deputy U.S. To use this feature, use a newer browser. It is unclear how and exactly when Bass Reeves left his owner but at some trips that sometimes lasted for months." Standing six feet, two inches tall, he was often seen riding a large white stallion as he patrolled all 75,000 square miles of Indian Territory. 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 . All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Exploring records relating to African Americans with the Say It Loud! Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. He married Castella Brown on 20 November 1900, in Muskogee, Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States. point during the Civil War he gained his freedom. While there is not a large amount of information on Wiley Escoe in circulation, he was known as a lawman, and a Black deputy U.S. He then quickly disarmed a second and shot a third, only injuring him. His slavemaster, William S. Reeves, moved the household to Texas in 1846. Any chance I get to revisit historical moments of our country is important to me.. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our and there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not the inspiration for the Lone Ranger Winnie married Deputy U.S. The real Bass Reeves was born in July of 1838, died in January 1910, and was the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshall that lived west of the Mississippi River. This would have made her birth year 1840 and closer to Bass Reeves' age. Bass Reeves was born in 1838, at birth place, Arkansas. He waited along the route that the gang was known to have used and surprised Tom Story with an arrest warrant. After reading about Bass Reeves, take a look at 9 iconic Black soldiers who risked it all to fight for America. So it is one of the safest places for escaped slaves. William Reeves moves to Grayson County, Texas. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. During the chaos of the Civil War, Indian Territory where federal and state governments had virtually no jurisdiction had become a popular hiding ground for outlaws. He married Nellie Jennie (or Jenney), a Texan, and the couple had 10 children, five boys and five girls. hbspt.enqueueForm({ Because Dozier was unpredictable, he was also hard to catch and though many lawmen had tried to apprehend him, none were successful until it came to Reeves. She was a Creek Freedwoman and a full member of the Creek Nation. Many of the district courts asked for Reeves because of his reliability in serving warrants. Reeves and his family farmed in Van Buren until 1875. Reeves died of Bright's disease in 1910. But they weren't the only citizens of Indian Territory. Now, according to the MTV Entertainment Studios upfront presentation (via Deadline), it's going to be a new chapter in the "Yellowstone" prequel "1883." Dozier was known as a jack-of-all-trades when it came to committing crimes, as they covered a wide range from cattle and horse rustling, to holding up banks, stores, and stagecoaches; to murder and land swindles. 33 Facts That Capture The Strange And Salacious Life Of Benjamin Franklin, Two Siblings Just Pleaded Guilty To This 1993 Cold Case Murder After Their Accomplice Confessed On TV, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch, Listen above to the History Uncovered podcast, episode 23: Bass Reeves, also available on. He would appear to felons as a cowboy, farmer, or even as a fellow outlaw. Here, he also honed his firearm skills, becoming very quick and accurate with a pistol and rifle. Spouse(s) Bass Reeves 1838 - 1910. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. In any case, Reeves went to live among the Creek and Seminole Indians. The court unanimously decided that there was no evidence Reeves murdered his wife with the intent of taking her land, therefore he was still entitled to it. became a policeman for the City of Muskogee. Google Books. Bass Reeves, 1838 - 1910. In his 32 years as a Deputy U.S. During this time, Reeves health diminishes, forcing him out of the Muskogee police force. Arkansas where he bought land and worked as a farmer and stockman. The second outlaw dropped his gun in surprise, and they were both arrested. Freeman said, This is a Black man in Americas legendary Western history who has been totally overlooked. Even in the face of morally conflicting circumstances, Reeves held the law above all else. Learn more about managing a memorial . Once asked why he spent so much effort enforcing the "white man's laws," Bass reportedly replied, "Maybe the law ain't perfect, but it's the only one we got, and without it we got nuthin'. Freeman said that he has always wanted to do his own Western as long as its about Reeves. Also starring ESSENCE digital cover star Zazie Beetz, Edi Gathegi, RJ Cyler, Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, Delroy Lindo, Daniel Deadwyler and Deon Cole, The Harder They Fall premieres on Netflix on November 3. The following work is the result of the memorial creator Jane Jamell-Hinkle's research:Funeral Home Record from Birnie Brothers Funeral Home. In The Harder They Fall, Elba plays the role of Rufus Buck, the man responsible for killing Nat Loves parents, and carves a cross into Loves forehead. According to Ben, she was unapologetic and said she thought more of his [John Wadlys] little finger than she did of my whole body. In a rage, he murdered his wife right then and there. Non-Indians were under the jurisdiction of federal courts, but there were few marshals to supervise a very large area. Reeves was recruited to work as a deputy U.S. marshal in the Indian Territory. His memoir. His great-uncle, Paul L. Brady, was the first black person to be appointed as a federal administrative law judge in 1972. . In 1887, Bass was charged with murdering a posse cook. GREAT NEWS! The marshal was famous for fair-mindedness and was impossible to bribe or corrupt. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. She enjoys the strange and unusual, and green tea. Learn more about merges. He learned their customs and languages and became a proficient territorial scout. Reeves buys farmland near Van Buren, AR. Bass Reeves marries Texas native Nellie Jennie. Although Bass Reeves accomplishments as a lawman greatly overshadow those of many of his more famous white contemporaries, the legend of Bass Reeves was, for the most part, lost to history. Marshal and order him to hire 200 deputies. Drag images here or select from your computer for Jane Jennie Reeves memorial. In 1902 he arrested his own son, Benny, for murdering his wife (Reeves' daughter-in-law). ", 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. According to the Chickasaw Enterprise newspaper, at this point in his service as deputy US marshal, Reeves had apprehended more than three thousand people for violating federal laws in Indian Territory. His son, George Reeves, keeps young Bass enslaved. portalId: 20973928, Later, with a citizens petition and an exemplary prison record, Bennie Reeves was pardoned and lived the rest of his life as a model citizen. 1898. west of the Mississippi River. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Marshal and authorized In 1875, Isaac C. Parker was appointed federal judge of Indian Territory. His son was tried, convicted to life in prison, and sent to Kansas Leavenworth Penitentiary. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. There have also been quite a few impressive bronze statues that were erected in his likeness. After 32 years as a US deputy marshal, more than three thousand arrests -- and only fourteen fatalities in the line of duty -- Reeves takes on a new career opportunity in the Muskogee police force. Bass Reeves, Jr 1887-1901 *Added July 12, 2017* While Jane or Jennie Reeves was reportedly born in 1850 in the 1870 and 1880 U.S. Census, the deponent (a family member) of her burial record stated that she was 56 years old at the time of her death. Nudie E. Williams, Published by the Texas State Historical Association. Cause of death - Peritonitis result of cancer.Note: Name on funeral home receipt, Green Sanders, is Jennie's son-in-law, married to daughter Sallie Reeves Sanders.After cross referencing old Block numbers and current block numbers it is determined that Jennie Reeves is in Block 36. First, it is intended to be a spiritual successor to Bill Crider's blog, Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine. State and local authorities replace federal marshals. In 1864 he married Nellie Jennie (d. 1896) and after her death Winnie Sumter (1900-1910). Reeves and his wife Nellie Jennie raised a family of ten children, five boys and five girls. In 1889, after Reeves was assigned to Paris, Texas, he went after the Tom Story gang for their long-term horse theft operation. Meet Bass Reeves, The Legendary Black Deputy Who Patrolled The Wild West. target: "#hbspt-form-1677718039000-5161016435", Marshal and is thought to be the inspiration for the Lone Ranger. S > Sumter | R > Reeves > Winnie (Sumter) Reeves, WIKITREE HOME | ABOUT | G2G FORUM | HELP | SEARCH. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. The American Civil War begins when confederate soldiers open fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina and union soldiers surrender. Once, when two potential assassins forced Reeves off his horse, he asked them for one last request - that someone read him a letter from his wife. The Inmate Case File of Ben Reeves (NAID 7861497), contains a wealth of information about his characteristics, correspondence, and his conduct while incarcerated. He married Nellie Bass Reeves, was the first black U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi River and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our nations history. based on information from your browser. Reeves eventually procured a homestead in Van Buren, Arkansas, where he was the first black settler. The TSHA makes every effort to conform to the principles of fair use and to comply with copyright law. In 2013, he was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame. The land comprising Indian Territory becomes the state of Oklahoma. Handbook of Texas Online, Year should not be greater than current year. was Bob Dozier, a murderer and cattle and horse thief who eluded Reeves for several When Bass Reeves was finally freed by the Thirteenth Amendment, he returned to Arkansas in 1865, married a Texas woman named Nellie Jennie and settled on a farm; they had ten children. Born to slave parents in 1838 in Arkansas, Bass Reeves was a member of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. This is a carousel with slides. He sent the deed to Castellas land as payment for his legal fees to obtain a pardon or commutation of sentence.[6]. When the Civil War broke out, William Reeves' son George was made a colonel in the Confederate army and took Bass to war with him. If the name Bass Reeves sounds familiar to you, there are a few reasons. -1863 The Emancipation Proclamation is issued by President Abraham Lincoln; Bass Reeves, still living in confederate territory, is now legally a free man and no longer must live as a fugitive. The Real Housewives of Atlanta The Bachelor Sister Wives 90 Day Fiance Wife Swap The Amazing Race Australia Married at First Sight The Real . In 1907, law enforcement was assumed by state agencies and Reeves duties as a deputy marshal came to an end. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. West Publishing Company, 1908. At the age of sixty-nine Reeves accepted a job as patrolman with the Muskogee city police department, and from 1907 to 1909 there was reportedly never a crime committed on his beat. He married Nellie Jennie in 1864, and then Winnie Sumter after she died. He lists his closest relative as Zola Reeves and gives his name as Bennie Bass Reeves. Mary retired in 1904 and died 11 years later at the age of 82. Parker, in turn, appointed a U.S. Like the many outlaws he had arrested, he was tried before Judge Isaac Parker. and Seminoles. 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