Black Man With A Silver Star: The Story of Bass Reeves

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Bass Reeves.

Bass Reeves (July 1838 – January 12, 1910) was a former enslaved person turned American lawman. He was among the first Black deputy U.S. Marshals, and the first west of the Mississippi River. He worked mostly in the Indian Territory.

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Blog Created: 12-12-2023

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Early life ~

Reeves was born into slavery in Crawford County, Arkansas, in 1838. He was named after his grandfather, Bass Washington. Reeves and his family were owned by Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. When Bass was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. 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.

Col. George Reeves, Speaker of the House, Texas State Legislature, was the owner of Reeves at the onset of the Civil War.

When the American Civil War began, George Reeves joined the Confederate States Army, forcing Bass to go with him. It is unclear how, and exactly when, Bass Reeves escaped, but at some point during the Civil War, he gained his freedom. He eventually was freed by the Thirteenth Amendment's abolition of slavery in 1865. As a freedman, Reeves returned to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren.

Career ~

Reeves and his family farmed until 1875 when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. Parker appointed James F. Fagan as U.S. marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. marshals. Fagan had heard about Reeves, who knew the Territory and could speak several Native languages. He recruited him as a deputy; Reeves, age 37, was the first black deputy to serve west of the Mississippi River. Reeves was assigned as a deputy U.S. marshal for the Western District of Arkansas, which had responsibility also for the Native reservation Territory. He served there until 1893. That year he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas, for a short while. In 1897, he was transferred again, serving at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Native Territory.

Judge Isaac C. Parker.

Reeves worked for 32 years as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory and became one of Judge Parker's most valued deputies. 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.

In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and revolver, Reeves developed superior detective skills during his long career. When he retired in 1907, Reeves had on his record thousands of arrests of felons, some accounts claiming over 3000. According to his obituary, he killed 14 outlaws to defend his life. Reeves had to arrest his own son for murder. Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves was charged with the murder of his wife. Despite the perpetrator being his son, Reeves nonetheless insisted on the responsibility of bringing Bennie to justice. Accounts of the incident report that Bennie was either captured by his father or simply turned himself in. He was ultimately tried and convicted, serving 11 years at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas before his sentence was commuted; he reportedly lived the rest of his life as a model citizen.

Bass Reeves’s son, Bennie, was arrested by Bass for domestic murder in Muskogee in 1902.

When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Reeves, then 68, became an officer of the Muskogee Police Department. He served for two years before he became ill and retired.

Bass Reeves at the age of 67 in Muskogee on the first day of Oklahoma statehood, November 16, 1907.

Later years and death ~

Reeves was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. 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. Reeves was eventually believed and acquitted, possibly based on his exceptional record.

Reeves' health began to fail further after retiring. He died of Bright's disease (nephritis) on January 12, 1910.

Family and descendants ~

Reeves was married twice and had eleven children. In 1864 he married Nellie Jennie (d. 1896) and after her death Winnie Sumter (1900–1910). His children were named Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice.

First wife, Jane "Jennie" Reeves.

He was a great-uncle of Paul L. Brady, who became the first black man appointed as a federal administrative law judge in 1972.

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. Ryan Reaves's grandfather changed the family name from Reeves to Reaves. This claim has not been verified by historians and/or genealogists.

Legacy

In 2011, the US-62 Bridge, which spans the Arkansas River between Muskogee and Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, was renamed the Bass Reeves Memorial Bridge.

In May 2012, a bronze statue of Reeves by Oklahoma sculptor Harold Holden was erected in Pendergraft Park in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

In 2013, Reeves was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame.

Television ~

Reeves is the subject of season 1, episode 6 titled "Bass Reeves: Trailblazing Lawman" (2021) in the Roku series Wild West Chronicles'

Reeves is the subject of season 2, episode 4 titled "The real lone ranger" in Gunslingers.

Reeves figures prominently in an episode of How It's Made, in which a Bass Reeves limited-edition collectors' figurine is shown in various stages of the production process.

In "The Murder of Jesse James", an episode of the television series Timeless (season one, episode 12), Reeves is portrayed by Colman Domingo.

Reeves was a featured subject of the Drunk History episode "Oklahoma" in which he was portrayed by Jaleel White.

In "Everybody Knows", a season two episode of the television series Wynonna Earp, Reeves is portrayed by Adrian Holmes.

Reeves is mentioned in the plot of "The Royal Family", a season two episode of the television series Greenleaf. Reeves' name is used as an alias by pastor Basie Skanks to support his church with gambling earnings.

Reeves' status as one of the first black sheriffs plays a significant role as a childhood role model for the character of Will Reeves in the Watchmen television series. Reeves is portrayed by Jamal Akakpo in three episodes featuring a fictional 1920s silent film based on Reeves' exploits titled "Trust in the Law".

Reeves is mentioned in season 3, episode 2 of the television series Justified as two U.S. Marshals are discussing their all-time favorite historical U.S. Marshals.

Reeves features in the "Stressed Western" episode of Legends of Tomorrow, portrayed by David Ramsey. Ramsey is noted for having played Green Arrow's ally and confidant John Diggle in the Arrowverse since its inception. In context, Reeves is portrayed as Diggle's ancestor where Sara Lance called him "Dig" at one point even though he thought they were digging the gunfight activities. The Legends encounter him at Fist City, Oklahoma at the time when they were pursuing the Haverack, a rage-attracted alien worm that has been excreting gold. After the Haverack was slain by Astra Logue, Reeves brought Fist City back in order.

Reeves features as a character played by Gary Beadle in the 2021 TV Series Around the World in 80 Days.

A miniseries based on Art T. Burton's 2006 biography (and co-produced by Morgan Freeman) was reported to be under development by HBO in 2015. The concept was later acquired by Amazon Studios in 2019, and ordered to series in 2022 under the title Twin Territories.

In season 34, episode 14 of The Simpsons, "Carl Carlson Rides Again," the character Lenny states that the TV show "The Lone Ranger" is based on Reeves.

A limited series based on the life of Reeves entitled Lawmen: Bass Reeves from creator Taylor Sheridan and starring David Oyelowo began airing on Paramount+ on November 5, 2023.

Film ~

In They Die by Dawn (2013), Reeves is portrayed by Harry Lennix.

Hell on the Border is a 2019 action film based on the early law enforcement career of Reeves, starring David Gyasi. It was written and directed by Wes Miller and features Ron Perlman in a supporting role.

In April 2018, Amazon Studios was reported to be developing a biopic of Reeves with the script and direction helmed by Chloé Zhao. No subsequent announcement was made about the fate of the project.

Reeves is portrayed by Delroy Lindo in The Harder They Fall (2021).

Reeves is portrayed by Isaiah Washington in the independent film Corsicana.

Theater ~

A stage play about Reeves entitled Cowboy, written and directed by Layon Gray, debuted in 2019 at the National Black Theatre Festival. It opened Off-Broadway in December of 2022 and is playing through December 2023 at The Actors' Temple West 47th St in Manhattan.

Games ~

Reeves is a character in the miniature wargame Wild West Exodus.

Reeves is a playable character in the board game Western Legends.

In the card game Cartaventura Oklahoma, one plays the fictional escape of Bass Reeves with five possible outcomes. The game also includes an insert with a summary of Bass Reeves' story.

Comic books ~

Darko Macan, Igor Kordey: Marshal Bass (8 books), Delcourt.

Reeves plays a supporting role in the Lucky Luke adventure "A Cowboy in High Cotton".

Reeves was a supporting character alongside Doc Holliday in the mini series Atomic Robo and the Knights of the Golden Circle (5 Issues).

Hall of fame ~

In 1992, Bass Reeves was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

In 2006, he was inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum.

Literature ~

Brady, Paul L. (2005). The Black Badge: Deputy United States Marshal Bass Reeves from Slave to Heroic Lawman. Los Angeles, Calif.: Milligan Books. ISBN 0-9759654-5-X. OCLC 62315198.

Burton, Arthur T. (2006). Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 0-8032-0541-4. OCLC 68481191. Republished in 2022: ISBN 9781496234469

Paulsen, Gary (2008). The Legend of Bass Reeves: Being the True and Fictional Account of the Most Valiant Marshal in the West. New York: Laurel-Leaf Books. ISBN 978-0-307-51379-3. OCLC 803982719.

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Bass Reeves.

Reeves (left) with a group of Marshals in 1907.

Bass Reeves at the age of 67 in Muskogee on the first day of Oklahoma statehood, November 16, 1907.

Black members of the Muskogee Police Department in 1908, include Bass Reeves with a cane, R.C. Cotton, Paul Smith and Frank Reed.

Reeves is seen here astride in Muskogee, Indian Territory, July 1889.

Bass Reeves stands in the door of a boxcar on the MK&T Railroad. On the left with a Winchester is Bud Ledbetter and lawmen guarding the shipment near Muskogee, Indian Territory, ca. 1900.

Close-up of Bass Reeves in the boxcar doorway.

Bass Reeves' first wife, Jane.

Bass Reeves’s son, Bennie, was arrested by Bass for domestic murder in Muskogee in 1902.

Bennie's signature on a prison document.

Jordan Reaves, defensive linemen for the Edmonton Elks.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ryan Reaves during a game against the St. Louis Blues, October 4, 2017, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.

Isaac C. Parker. The hanging judge.

Judge Isaac C. Parker.

Marshal Leo Bennett.

Col. George Reeves, Speaker of the House, Texas State Legislature, was the owner of Reeves at the onset of the Civil War.

Court Bailiff George Winston of the Fort Smith, Arkansas, federal court, served with Judge Parker for more than 20 years.

Deputy U.S. Marshals, Fort Smith Federal Court, circa 1890.

During his 32 years with the U.S. marshal service, Reeves worked with all races, including Fort Smith-based lawman Deputy U.S. Marshal Simon Flood.

James Fleming Fagan.

W.H.H. Clayton.

When tracking criminals across the Indian Territory, Bass Reeves regularly received assistance from local tribal police, including the Choctaw Lighthorse Policemen, circa 1885.

Reeves' favorite revolver.

The Bass Reeves tribute rifle.

Fort Smith, Arkansas during the Bass Reeves years.

Bass Reeves historical marker.

Statue dedicated to Bass Reeves in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Art T. Burton poses next to a Bass Reeves mannequin at the Bass Reeves Western History Conference in Muskogee.

Clayton Moore, left, as The Lone Ranger and Jay Silverheels, right, as Tonto in The Lone Ranger television series. It's been said that the Lone Ranger character was modeled after Bass Reeves.