Bass reeves was a paris, texasborn slave who become one of the toughest men of the frontier in history. This is a brief history of bass reeves, one of the first africanamerican deputy united states marshals. This topic includes challenge, makeamap, makeamovie, creative coding, primary source, worksheet, and graphic organizer, available only on desktop andor tablet. Marshals service for 32 years at the turn of the 20th century in part of eastern oklahoma and western arkansas. The life and legend of frontier marshall bass reeves. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading bass reeves frontier marshal volume 1. A 25foot work of art honors the illustrious lawman, believed to be the first black u. He usually either brought his outlaw in or left him dead. Reports regarding reevess activities and whereabouts. During his long career, he was credited with arresting more than 3,000 felons. Reeves, born into slavery, served for 32 years under federal judge isaac c. The magnificent, bronze statue of the great africanamerican deputy u.
Texasborn bass reeves roamed the american west for more than three decades, chasing murderers, thieves and whiskey smugglers. The sculpture is bronzetone and made to look identical to the monument in fort smith, arkansas by. Admired, feared, and respected by friends and foe alike, he achieved legendary status just as much for. A sculpture by celebrated western artist harold holden that pays tribute to the life and legacy of the feared african american us marshall, bass reeves. Deputy marshal west of the mississippi river and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our nations history owned by a man named william reeves, a farmer and politician. He grew up in grayson, texas after his owner, william s. Bass reeves crawford county, juli 1838 muskogee, 12 januari 1910 was. During the civil war, bass claimed to have fought under the leadership of william reeves son, col. Born to slave parents in 1838 in paris, texas, bass reeves would become the first black u. Bass reeves was born into slavery in 1838 in crawford county, arkansas. Hollywood is joining fort smith in honoring one of the men who hunted outlaws in the wild west.
By the time clayton moore took on the persona of the lone ranger for the 1950s abc series, the black mask covered only his eyes next slide. Reeves was a deputy under leo bennett in the last years of the federal regime in oklahoma and also served in the old days of judge parker at fort smith. Bass reeves finally gets his hollywood moment in hbos. Jun 10, 20 by the time clayton moore took on the persona of the lone ranger for the 1950s abc series, the black mask covered only his eyes next slide. Marshal bass reeves appears as one of eight notable oklahomans, the most. Maybe the law aint perfect, but its the only one we got, and without it we got nuthin bass reeves. An uncommon reaction, you might think, but from many accounts it was best to steer clear of a singing bass reeves as. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the adventures of bass reeves deputy u. Nkokheli, dressed as reeves, used the time to update freeman on the plans to build a reeves statue and on how the bass reeves legacy initiative works with area schools and other groups to raise awareness about the marshal. Marshal bass reeves appears as one of eight notable oklahomans, the most feared u. Marshal bass reeves, and he makes a compelling case. But burton also draws the connection between reeves and the lone ranger with the fact that many of the outlaws reeves captured were sent to a federal. This book is a fictionalized story of bass reeves, the legendary black deputy u. The 2010 coretta scott king author award winner title of a book, article or other published item this will display to the public.
Bass reeves frontier marshal volume 1 kindle edition by. Montgomery lauren hanzelka university of northern iowa bad news for outlaws. Reeves according to research is the only deputy on record who started working for parkers court in 1875 and worked up to statehood in 1907. Deputy marshal bass reeves was born into slavery but ran away and headed north to the indian territory where lived with the creek and seminole becoming fluent in all the languages of the five civilized tribes. Born in 1838, bass reeves was a former slaveturnedlawman who served with the u. He escaped to indian territory after severely beating his young master in a dispute over cards and lived among the five civilized tribes, especially the creeks. That reeves was also an african american who had spent his early life as a slave in arkansas and texas made his accomplishments all the more remarkable. Marshal bass reeves collectors grade ubertiwinchester 1873. The hbo series watchmen has familiarized audiences with the reallife deputy us marshal bass reeves, an africanamerican lawman in the. Owned by a man named george reeves, a farmer and politician, bass took the surname of his owner, like other slaves of the time. See the full list of bass reeves cast and crew including actors, directors, producers and more.
Apr 20, 2017 reeves had his own tonto of sorts an indian man and tracker he often rode with, when he was out capturing bad guys close to 3000 in all, during his years as a marshal, 14 of them he killed. He was also notable for being african american in a day and age where it was unheardof among lawmen. He worked mostly in arkansas and the oklahoma territory. Bass reeves, a deputy united states marshal in old indian territory for over thirty years, is very ill at his home in the fourth ward and is not expected to live. Bass reeves escaped numerous assassination attempts on his life, he was the most feared deputy u. Sam bass was a deputy us marshal who worked the oklahoma territory in the days of judge paker. George reeves in the battles of pea ridge 1862, chickamauga 1863, and missionary ridge. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. He was tall at 62, expert shooter with either hand. Bass reeves 18381910 was an african american sheriff in arkansas, who brought in hundreds of convicts. Fort smith, arkansas, is quite proud of its history.
Marshal bass reeves to be dedicated may 26 in pendergraft park honors one of the western frontiers greatest lawmen, and fort smiths historic ties to the u. Apr 21, 2014 bass reeves was born in 1838 in crawford county, arkansas, a child of slaves. Bass reeves worked a total of thirtytwo years as a deputy u. But then the cloaked man reveals himself to be the legendary bass reevesthe reallife, first black deputy u. Bass reeves was big, tall, and strong, wore a bushy mustache, and rode a powerful. Bass reeves july 1838 january 12, 1910 was an american law enforcement officer. Bass reeves july 1838 12 january 1910 was one of the first african americans possibly the first to receive a commission as a deputy u. But of all the sheriffs of the frontier, one man stands out as a true hero.
Marshals museum in fort smith has an impressive collection of guns and documents related to famed deputy u. Reeves worked in the indian territory for thirtytwo years. Australia brazil canada china france germany italy japan mexico. Bass reeves was big, tall, and strong, wore a bushy mustache, and rode a powerful horse. Us marshals museum searches for bass reeves relatives ap news. In the early days of the character, the mask covered the lone rangers entire face, which may have been a homage to bass reeves above, if indeed the character was based on the frontier deputy marshal. Bass reeves, the first black commissioned united states deputy marshal west of the mississippi river, was born to slave parents in july 1838 in arkansas. Art burtons evidence to support his conclusion that reeves was the reallife lawman is pretty compelling.
This project takes us to the classic old west to play out the life of frontier marshal bass reeves. In 1860, reeves took the distraction of the civil war as an opportunity to escape and live among the indians. The united states marshals service usms is a federal law enforcement agency within the u. Fort smith in honoring one of the men who hunted outlaws in the wild west. Deputy marshal west of the mississippi river and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our nations history. Bass reeves simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Owned by farmer and politician george reeves, bass worked as water boy and later as his owners personal servant. The life and legacy of the wild wests first black deputy marshal ebook. Reeves, bass the handbook of texas online texas state.
Nov 28, 2017 this is a brief history of bass reeves, one of the first africanamerican deputy united states marshals. He was one of the first african americans to work in law enforcement west of the mississippi river. Aug 06, 20 bass reeves, he argues, was almost certainly the reallife inspiration for the lone ranger. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Nkokheli also has a hope for how reeves is treated in the hbo series. The hbo series watchmen has familiarized audiences with the reallife deputy us marshal bass reeves, an africanamerican lawman in the old west.
Reeves became a legendary lawman for judge isaac parker of the western district of arkansas federal court in fort smith, arkansas. Yet another miniseries adapted from a biography is in the planning stages at hbo. You want the definition of a touch old west lawman. Born into slavery, bass reeves became the most successful us marshal of the wild west. Dave kennedy, curator of collections and exhibits, said recently the museum is still in search of bass. Memorable quotes and exchanges from movies, tv series and more. Us marshall bass reeves sculpture by harold holden the. Honoring deputy us marshal bass reeves catalyst partners. He spoke seven native american languages, and set records for apprehending and shooting outlaws. The marshals service is the oldest american federal law enforcement agency. Bass reeves frontier marshal volume 1 kindle edition by phillips, gary, odom, mel, salmon, andrew, ferguson, derrick. Marshal bass reeves ever pulled on a criminal copy link facebook twitter reddit flipboard pocket bass reeves, wearing his iconic push broom mustache.
A black man becomes a united states deputy marshal in the 1875. Marshal who served under the hangin judge, isaac c. When deputy marshal bass reeves began to sing softly to himself, people who knew him ran for cover. He faced some of the most murderous outlaws known to. Born to slave parents in 1838 in crawford county, arkansas, bass reeves would become the first black u. Buy bass reeves frontier marshal volume 2 book online at low. A western adventure from the author of the bass reeves stories kindle edition by ray, charles, thompson, paul l. Morgan freemans bass reeves project finally gets a lift. Actor morgan freeman is one of the producers that will adapt the art t. Us marshals museum searches for bass reeves relatives. He was born as a slave, but then escaped his abusive master. Bass reeves, born 1838, crawford county, arkansas, u. The legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen scholastic.
During his time as a marshal, reeves caught more than 3,000 criminals. Bass reeves, he argues, was almost certainly the reallife inspiration for the lone ranger. Oct 11, 2014 bass reeves july 1838 12 january 1910 was one of the first african americans possibly the first to receive a commission as a deputy u. In february 2011, 82 citizens read the awardwinning book bad news for outlaws. He was a dogged tracker with a reputation for getting his man. Bass reeves and his family were slaves of arkansas state legislator william steele reeves. Marshall, staunchly defended territorial law in the american west through many remarkable deeds. Bass reeves was one of the first african american deputy u.
A history of frontier justice in the indian territory, 18341896 author. Reeves was a deputy under leo bennett in the last years of the federal regime in oklahoma, and also served in the old days of judge parker at fort smith. Reeves was born into a paris, texas, slave family circa 1838, and was the first africanamerican to be commissioned a u. By 1875, reeves and his family were living back in western arkansas, and it was there that he was approached to apply for a position as a deputy u. Morgan freeman brings bass reeves miniseries to hbo.
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