In 1907, law enforcement was assumed by state agencies and Reeves’ duties as a deputy marshal came to an end. Reeves’ diagnosis with Bright’s disease finally ended his career when he took to his sickbed in 1909. Kay Bass Legends of America founder Kathy Weiser-Alexander discusses Bass Reeves in the series “True First” on UMC (Urban Movie Channel), March 2019. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. His son was tried, convicted to life in prison, and sent to Kansas’ Leavenworth Penitentiary. However, when the purpose served him, he was a master of disguises and often utilized aliases. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Required fields are marked *. Reeves, though reluctant to take on the difficult task, did the job when no other deputy dared to. Wikipedia, Your email address will not be published. James Nathan West was a fictional character on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital.He was the son of supervillains, Cesar Faison (deceased) and Dr. Liesl Obrecht and the legal son of his late aunt, socialite Madeline Reeves and her late husband, Mr. Reeves. Bass Reeves’s son, Bennie, was arrested by Bass for domestic murder in Muskogee in 1902. Clayton, who was a colleague and friend. Gathering a posse, Reeves and the other men set up camp some 28 miles from where the two were thought to be hiding at their mother’s home. When the Civil War broke out, Texas sided with the Confederacy and George Reeves went into battle, taking Bass with him. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. He waited along the route that the gang was known to have used and surprised Tom Story with an arrest warrant. Library Card Number or EZ Username PIN or EZ Password. “Eighty miles west of Fort Smith was known as “the deadline,” and whenever a deputy marshal from Fort Smith or Paris, Texas, crossed the Missouri, Kansas & Texas track he took his own life in his hands and he knew it. Covering some 75,000 square miles, the United States Court at Fort Smith, was the largest in the nation. Al Link (now deceased), and his son Tom, of Engelhardt-Link, cooperated in all aspects, opening the doors to his factory whenever a question arose. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Marshal Leo Bennett in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he arrived to bad news. Born Will Williams in 1914, he was the son of O.B. Born to slave parents in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas, Bass Reeves would become the first black U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi River and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our nation’s history. Corrections? With a citizen's petition and an exemplary prison record, his son was pardoned and lived the rest of his life as a model citizen. After refusing to surrender, Reeves killed Dozier in an accompanying gunfight on December 20, 1878. Adams served as Reeves’ posseman, and they were involved in numerous police actions together in and around Muskogee. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The rest of the gang disbanded and were never heard from again. Benny Reeves served 22 years at … Following the war, he worked as a guide for U.S. government officials interested in traveling through Indian Territory. – Photo and Poster Courtesy Lionsgate – Jamal Akapo appears as Bass Reeves and Louis Gossett Jr. (left) as Will Reeves, the fictional son of Bass Reeves in HBO’s alternate-history series Watchmen. She is the daughter of the late, Mr. Reeves and his widow, the late socialite, Madeline Reeves. Reeves was responsible for apprehending criminals in a 75,000-square-mile (194,000-square-km) region of what is now mostly Oklahoma and Arkansas. At that time, the Indian Territory had become extremely lawless as thieves, murderers, and anyone else wishing to hide from the law took refuge in the territory that previously had no federal or state jurisdiction. Det. The 2019 film was written and directed by Wes Miller and filmed on location in Alabama. He is the son of Patricia Taylor, a showgirl and costume designer, and Samuel Nowlin Reeves, a geologist.Keanu's father was born in Hawaii, of British, Portuguese, Native Hawaiian, and Chinese ancestry, and Keanu's mother is originally from England. In 1890, Reeves arrested a notorious Seminole outlaw named Greenleaf, who had murdered seven people and been on the run for 18 years. ---In this hour, the moments of shock and uncanny realizations, and the tenacity, perspective, and humor that help us through. Some of the charts are full transcriptions whilst some are just a bass solo or a solo by another instrument (trumpet, sax, trombone etc). Born a slave in Arkansas, Reeves grew up in Grayson county, Texas, following the relocation of his owner, William S. Reeves. Sea bass eggs 'can survive a rocket launch' and could be grown on a Moon farm ... just six months after she gave birth to son Edu ... Keanu Reeves was the inspiration for … Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. In about 1846, William Reeves moved his operations, family, and slaves to Grayson County, Texas. Born a slave in 1838 in Crawford County Arkansas, Reeves’s owner was William S. Reeves, a cotton farmer and prominent politician in the area. Bass' father was an officer in the United States Air Force.Due to his father's military career, Bass and his family moved frequently as he was growing up. Within days, the outlaws were delivered to the authorities and Bass collected a $5,000 reward. Remember Me On nearly every trail would be found posted by outlaws a small card warning certain deputies that if they ever crossed the deadline they would be killed. The lengthy and glowing obituary for this universally respected man described him as “absolutely fearless and knowing no master but duty.”, Over the 35 years that Bass Reeves served as a Deputy United States Marshal, he earned his place in history by being one of the most effective lawmen in Indian Territory, bringing in more than 3,000 outlaws and helping to tame the lawless territory. In 1889, after Reeves was assigned to Paris, Texas, he went after the Tom Story gang of horse thieves. The three of them then came inside and she introduced her sons to Reeves. EXCLUSIVE: Meghan Markle has been planning tell-all interview with Oprah for two years - since the palace's PR team squashed the Sussexes' sit down with Gayle King in 2019 — Meghan originally tried to arrange a televised interview with friend and CBS anchor Gayle King after her son … 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. George Reeves, William’s son, later made him his valet, bodyguard, and personal companion. Muskogee Oklahoma Policemen with Bass Reeves in the front row with a cane. In any event, Bass fled to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) where he took refuge with the Seminole, Cherokee, and Creek Indians, learning their customs, languages, and tracking skills. Marshal James F. Fagan as head of some 200 deputies he was then told to hire. He was portrayed by actor Ryan Paevey from December 30, 2013 to February 9, 2018. George Reeves, William’s son, later made him his valet, bodyguard, and personal companion. Williams and Ruth Robeson and lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma.In 1921, Will Reeves was a child when the Tulsa Race Massacre began. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bass-Reeves, National Park Service - Fort Smith National Historic Site - Biography of Bass Reeves, Texas State Historical Association - The Handbook of Texas Online - Biography of Bass Reeves, Great Black Heroes - Biography of Bass Reeves, Oklahoma Historical Society - Biography of Bass Reeves, African American Registry - Biography of Bass Reeves, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture - Biography of Bass Reeves, Bass Reeves - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Bass Reeves - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Often they rode to such places as Fort Reno, Fort Sill and Anadarko, a round trip of more than 800 miles. “Maybe the law ain’t perfect, but it’s the only one we got, and without it we got nuthin” — Bass Reeves. George was a Colonel in the Confederate Army who organized the 11th Calvary regiment. One of the high points of Reeves’ career was apprehending a notorious outlaw named Bob Dozier. In 1900 he married for a second time to a woman named Winnie Sumter. When the Civil War broke out, Texas sided with the Confederacy and George Reeves went into battle, taking Bass with him. By Jeannie Nuss/AP Photo, Bob Dozier – Killed at the hands of Bass Reeves, Isaac C. Parker – Hanging Judge of Indian Territory, Old West Lawmen & Gunfighters Photo Print Gallery, Burton, Art T.; Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves; Bison Books, 2008 The Reeves family moved near Paris, Texas in 1846. Working among other lawmen that would also become legendary, such as Heck Thomas, Bud Ledbetter, and Bill Tilghman, Reeves began to ride the Oklahoma range in search of outlaws. Upon retirement in 1907, he became a city police officer in Muskogee, Oklahoma. In 1902, Bass Reeves’ son, Benny, was charged with the murder of his wife. Patrick Reeves. Before long, two riders rode up to the house, talking at length with her outside. Our cookies are delicious. Bass was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in October 1955, the son of Williamson G. "Bill" Bass and Betty Jean Bass. Bass Reeves, (born 1838, Crawford county, Arkansas, U.S.—died January 12, 1910, Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S.), American lawman who was one of the first deputy U.S. marshals of African descent in the American West.. Born a slave in Arkansas, Reeves grew up in Grayson county, Texas, following the relocation of his owner, William S. Reeves.Reports regarding Reeves’s activities and … Encyclopedia of Arkansas His first name came from his grandfather, Basse Washington. Reeves and his posse burned Christie’s cabin, but he eluded capture. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ambidextrous, he rarely missed his mark. While there is no definitive proof of the connection, Reeves is sometimes speculated to have been the inspiration for the fictional character the Lone Ranger. Though shaken by the thought of it, Reeves soon arrested his own son. On one such occasion, Reeves was pursuing two outlaws in the Red River Valley near the Texas border. Omissions? Biography Early Life The Tulsa Massacre. Start listening now! SoundCloud is a music and podcast streaming platform that lets you listen to millions of songs from around the world, or upload your own. After 1900, Muskogee had city police, with two deputy U.S. marshals stationed there, Bass Reeves and a white man David Adams. The deputies were tasked with “cleaning up” Indian Territory and on Judge Parker’s orders, “Bring them in alive — or dead!”. Shortly afterward, the woman went outside and responded with an answering whistle. Your email address will not be published. Next, Bass took a job as a patrolman with the Muskogee, Oklahoma Police Department. The tales of his captures are legendary – filled with intrigue, imagination, and courage. As the sun was setting, Reeves heard a sharp whistle coming from beyond the house. The same year, Reeves went after the famous Cherokee outlaw Ned Christie. Early life. In 1838—nearly a century before the Lone Ranger was introduced to the public—Bass Reeves was born a slave in the Arkansas household of William S. Reeves, who relocated to Paris, Texas, in 1846. The Moth Podcast Caught Off Guard--- This episode is available on your local radio station and on PRX.It will be published to our website on 3/2/2021. However, that claim is debated by others. During the two years that he served in this capacity, there were reportedly no crimes on his beat. Setting out on foot, he arrived at the house wearing an old pair of shoes, dirty clothes, carrying a cane, and wearing a floppy hat complete with three bullet holes. “Bass Reeves is the closest real person to resemble the fictional Lone Ranger on the American western frontier of the nineteenth century,” Burton wrote. “Bass Reeves is the closest real person to resemble the fictional Lone Ranger on the American western frontier of the nineteenth century,” Burton wrote. Others believe that Bass heard too much about the “freeing of slaves” and simply ran away. Bass was a tall young man, at 6’2”, with good manners and a sense of humor. Though Reeves could not read or write it did not curb his effectiveness in bringing back the criminals. Some are just a riff or a pattern that Bilbo transcribed for his own purposes. In 1896, Reeves’ wife died in Fort Smith and the next year he was transferred to the Muskogee federal court in Indian Territory. Log in with either your Library Card Number or EZ Login. He died on January 12, 1910, and he was buried in the Union Agency Cemetery at Muskogee, Oklahoma, but the exact location of his grave is unknown. After asking for a bite to eat, she invited him in and while he was eating she began to tell him of her two young outlaw sons, suggesting that the three of them should join forces. Listen, create playlists & share with friends. “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. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Color: Black Verified Purchase. Two weeks later, Reeves returned to Muskogee with his son in tow and turned him over to Marshal Bennett. Many argue, including Bill O’Reilly’s Legends & Lies 2015 television series, there is evidence that Bass Reeves was the basis of the now-classic radio and later television series “The Lone Ranger“, with several key similarities between the character and the real legend. Though Reeves claimed to be “only fair” with a rifle, he was barred on a regular basis from competitive turkey shoots. Later, with a citizen’s petition and an exemplary prison record, Bonnie Reeves was pardoned and lived the rest of his life as a model citizen. It is considered unlikely that Reeves actually served at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, though it is possible that he escaped later in 1862 following his service at Pea Ridge. Well known for his valour, Reeves killed 14 outlaws and apprehended more than 3,000 throughout his tenure (including his own son), according to contemporary reports. (Last Privacy Policy Update July 2020), Byways & Historic Trails – Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History. Updates? It was during these years of the Civil War that Bass parted company from Reeves, some say because Bass beat up George after a dispute in a card game. The role was originated by veteran soap actress Michelle Stafford on May 1, 2014. © Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated April 2020. I think changing to a singular speaker from the 3 way one on the pulse 3 was a bad idea. Keanu Charles Reeves, whose first name means "cool breeze over the mountains" in Hawaiian, was born September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon. Before he headed out, he would have someone read him the warrants and memorize the contents and which warrant was which. He was known for his politeness and courteous manner. His own son, Bennie, had been charged with murder, after having killed his wife in a fit of jealousy. Killing some 14 men during his service, Reeves always said that he “never shot a man when it was not necessary for him to do so in the discharge of his duty to save his own life.”. ... Los bajos son increibles, separa muy bien las … He was represented by United States Attorney W.H.H. Stereofox is a music blog which helps you discover new electronic, indie, chillhop, hip hop and ambient music. "Bluegrass Unlimited" magazine has published "Henry Kuhrmeyer & the Kay Upright Bass." Bass was a tall young man, at 6’2”, with good manners and a sense of humor. Paid in fees and rewards, he would make a handsome profit, before spending a little time with his family, and returning to the range once again. He claimed to have served in the Battles of Pea Ridge (March 1862), Chickamauga (September 1863), and Missionary Ridge (November 1863) under William S. Reeves’s son, Col. George Reeves, for the Confederacy. After studying the terrain and making a plan, he soon disguised himself as a tramp, hiding the tools of his trade – handcuffs, pistol, and badge, under his clothes. Raising 10 children on their homestead — five girls and five boys, the family lived happily on the farm. “Reeves was never known to show the slightest excitement, under any circumstance. Like the many outlaws he had arrested, he was tried before Judge Isaac Parker. Nina Addison Reeves is a fictional character on ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital. Working alongside his parents, Reeves started out as a water boy until he was old enough to become a field hand. When early morning approached, he kicked the boys awake and marched them out the door. Owned by a man named William Reeves, a farmer and politician, Bass took the surname of his owner, like other slaves of the time. During this time, oral history states that Reeves sometimes served as a scout and guide for U.S. Deputy Marshals going into Indian Territory on business for the Van Buren Federal Court, which had jurisdiction over Indian Territory. And in those days such a notice was no idle boast, and many an outlaw has bitten the dust trying to ambush a deputy on these trails.” – Oklahoma City newspaper article, 1907. Dozier eluded Reeves for several months until the lawman tracked him down in the Cherokee Nation. A year later, he married Nellie Jennie from Texas and immediately began to have a family. Here, he also honed his firearm skills, becoming very quick and accurate with a pistol. One of Parker’s first official acts was to appoint U.S. An imposing figure, always riding on a large white stallion, Reeves began to earn a reputation for his courage and success at bringing in or killing many desperadoes of the territory.