1901 - Reeves's Arrests Make the Press . 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. Jim Webb, a cowboy and horse thief with eleven notches on his pistol handle, was outshot in a fierce running gunfight after a manhunt that lasted from 1893 to 1895; the dying Webb acknowledged Reeves as the better man by giving the deputy his pistol and scabbard. 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'. Reeves, though reluctant to take on the difficult task, did the job when no other deputy dared to. included the Indian Territory. That man's son, Colonel George R. Reeves, took Bass with him when he joined the Confederate Army in the Civil War. His own son, Bennie, had been charged with murder, after having killed his wife in a fit of jealousy. Contrary to what classic Westerns might lead us to believe, one in four American cowboys was actually African American. . Refining his skills as an outdoorsman, Bass became an expert sharpshooter. At the age of 69 Reeves Directed to hire 200 deputies, Fagan commissions Reeves as a deputy US marshal on his reputation for knowing the landscape of the Indian Territory and learning the languages of the indigenous people with whom he lived as a fugitive. He was a skilled fighter and made a living as a fur trader in the old American West. 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. New Yellowstone Spin-Off Pivots To Focus On True-Life Legendary Badass Bass Reeves. and his owner had an altercation over a card game. At 71, two months after leaving the Muskogee police force, Bass Reeves dies of Brights disease. He married Nellie Jennie (or Jinney), a Texas native, in 1864, and they raised a family of ten, five boys and five girls. Initially, Bass Reeves worked as a water boy, and then he later became a field hand. Territory,Journal of Negro History 56 (April 1971); Nudie E. Williams, Bass Reeves, Negro History Bulletin 42 (April-May-June 1979); Art T. Burton Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves. Marshal Bass Reeves in 1900. The majority of his violations included jovial conversation with other inmates and one for trading barber services for a toothbrush. Reeves and his wife Nellie Jennie raised a family of ten children, five boys and five girls. Please enter your email and password to sign in. And fugitives took full advantage of the area. The Real Housewives of Atlanta The Bachelor Sister Wives 90 Day Fiance Wife Swap The Amazing Race Australia Married at First Sight The Real . One account recalls how Bass Reeves Marshal Bass Reeves, had arrested him. Reeves severely beat his owner The legendary actor and director Morgan Freeman has also expressed interest in working on a project focused on the deputy. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. and killed fourteen outlaws during his years as a marshal, garnering a reputation But despite being shot at on multiple occasions, he managed to dodge every single bullet, earning him the moniker The Indomitable Marshal.. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Parker, in turn, appointed a U.S. Lnea del tiempo de desarrollo embrionario y fetal. The Lone Ranger, Tonto, and his silver stallion from the 1950s TV series, 9 iconic Black soldiers who risked it all to fight for America. We have set your language to In a letter sent to Ft. Leavenworth, his sister A.C. Spahn writes that Reeves, Is now at home and at work in one of Muskogees leading Waite[sic] Barber Shops., Bens release came at an additional toll on his victims family. Wikimedia CommonsBelle Starr (left), a notorious horse thief, was arrested by Bass Reeves in 1883. Try again later. 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. He married Castella Brown on 20 November 1900, in Muskogee, Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States. Bass Reeves, is the first African-American to be deputized by the U.S. William Reeves moves to Grayson County, Texas. Family members linked to this person will appear here. The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry. Reeves approached the three murderous Brunter brothers and handed them a warrant for their arrest. He lived in Muscogee, Georgia, United States in 1900. The second outlaw dropped his gun in surprise, and they were both arrested. Though there was originally chatter about a second season, Sheridan finally said the story was finished. Possibly based on his exceptional record, Reeves is acquitted. His son was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison, but was later given a full pardon. We'll send you a couple of emails per month, filled with fascinating history facts that you can share with your friends. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Bass Reeves, 1838 - 1910. The Ft. Leavenworth Warden himself wrote to the Honorable Leo Bennett, U.S. Marshall for the Indian Territory, Western District, of Muskogee, OK on April 24, 1909, requesting permission to appoint Reeves as a trustee. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. And perhaps most exciting, he was portrayed in the HBO series Watchmen in 2019. His son, George Reeves, keeps young Bass enslaved. Oklahoma. Bass Reeves, is the first African-American to be deputized by the U.S. "Bass Reeves" was originally a standalone limited series that was coming to Paramount+ with Taylor Sheridan, but it's morphed a bit. GREAT NEWS! However, it was his refusal to make exceptions that was extraordinary. trips that sometimes lasted for months." He was always acquitted of the deaths of his prisoners. Reeves eventually procured a homestead in Van Buren, Arkansas, where he was the first black settler. Stagecoach Mary is his on-again, off-again lover, and assists him in his journey for revenge. In 1895, the gang robbed, raped, and murdered; eventually being captured in August of that year. Nellie was born circa 1850, in Texas. Bill Pickett is portrayed by Edi Gathegi. He married Nellie Jennie, a Texan, and fathered ten children, five boys and five girls. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. 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. 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. marksman, Reeves was an imposing law enforcement officer at six foot two. 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 . After his first wife's death, Reeves married Winnie Sumter of Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1900 and started a second family. Bass 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. He killed fourteen men in the performance of his duty while assigned to the federal district courts at Paris and Sherman, Texas, during his thirty-two-year career as deputy. He was one inspiration to the character Will Reeves (played by Jamal Akakpo) in the HBO series "Watchmen," one of the main characters in"The Harder They Fall" played by Delroy Lindo,and he is believed to be the inspiration for "The Lone Ranger." You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Any chance I get to revisit historical moments of our country is important to me.. Section 107 related to Copyright and Fair Use for Non-Profit educational institutions, which permits the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), to utilize copyrighted materials to further scholarship, education, and inform the public. Below is an article about Reeves from Matt Helm first published in blackpast.org. Make sure that the file is a photo. Learn more about merges. Wikimedia CommonsBass Reeves was known for his exceptional shooting skills and his ability to dodge bullets. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. federal judges or other court officials. When Bass charges into the desert . His authority extends throughout Indian Territory and covers about 75,000 square miles at the time, the Fort Smith Federal Court was the largest in the nation. He waited along the route Tom Story used, and surprised him with an arrest warrant. They had 11 children: Robert E Reeves, Bass Reeves and 9 other children. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Judge Parker appoints James Fagan as U.S. marshal. 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. One of his first acts was to make James Fagan a U.S. Bass Reeves gained his freedom (the details of this are unclear), but he then lived among Indigenous tribes including the Cherokee, Creeks, and Seminoles, learning their language, and returning to Arkansas after the Thirteenth Amendment was passed in 1865. Photos and Memories (1) discoveries. and there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not the inspiration for the Lone Ranger There was a problem getting your location. His son was tried, convicted to life in prison, and sent to Kansas Leavenworth Penitentiary. Bass Reeves marries Texas native Nellie Jennie. "1883: The Bass Reeves Story" is executive produced by Sheridan, David Oyelowo, Jessica Oyelowo, David Permut, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, and Bob Yari. Nellie Reeves (Jennie) Also Known As: ""Nellie Jennie"" Birthdate: estimated between 1814 and 1874 : Birthplace: Texas, United States: Death: Immediate Family: Wife of . Have you taken a DNA test? He married Nellie Nudie E. Williams, Marshal. He married Nellie Jennie, a woman from Texas, in 1864, and they had 10 children. In the film, Majors plays Nat Love, the leader of a band of outlaws on a quest to hunt down his sworn enemy Rufus Buckthe man who murdered Loves parents, and the one responsible for the cross embedded in his forehead. Genealogy profile for Nellie Reeves Genealogy for Nellie Reeves (Jennie) (deceased) family tree on Geni, with over 240 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. Bass eventually moved to Arkansas where he met his wife Nellie Jennie and raised their ten children. He died in 1910 from nephritis. His mother died in 1896 due to consumption (tuberculosis) leaving his father widowed with eleven children to care for. Buffalo Soldiers, the first all-Black peacetime regiments in U.S. history. 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. 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. The real Nat Love was born into slavery in 1854. Unavailable. When William S. Reeves died, his son George made Bass Reeves his personal companion and servant. Reeves was well aware of the historic precedent, and took his responsibilities seriously. Delroy Lindo is an accomplished actor, with over 40 years of experience in film, television, and theater. By several accounts, Reeves served as a guide for U.S. marshals going into the Indian Territory. She was the second womanand first African American womanto have that occupation. Next, Bass took a job as a patrolman with the Muskogee, Oklahoma Police Department. Jennie, a Texan, and fathered ten children, five boys and five girls. As the story goes, Reeves arrested more than 3,000 outlaws and killed 14 criminals without ever sustaining a gunshot wound. Signup today for our free newsletter, Especially Texan. The stories of Reeves familiarity with the land and his own fugitive past eventually got around to Fagan. 1866 - Bass Reeves settles down . Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? He began his life as an outlaw at the age of 18, robbing stagecoaches, banks, and stores. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our In the early afternoon of June 7, 1902, a young Ben Reeves paid a visit to his estranged wife, Castella Brown, at her cousins house not far from their home in Muskogee, OK. This is a carousel with slides. Born about 1850 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States Daughter of [father unknown] and [mother unknown] [sibling (s) unknown] Wife of Bass Reeves married 1900 in Muskogee,Oklahoma,United States [children unknown] Died [date unknown] in Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States Profile manager: Terry Wright [ send private message ] His mother died in 1896 due to consumption (tuberculosis) leaving his father widowed with eleven children to care for. 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. Add to your scrapbook. It is unclear how and exactly when Bass Reeves left his owner but at some He registered for the draft on September 12, 1918 at the age of 39 as was required by law. He married Nellie Jennie in 1864, and then Winnie Sumter after she died. 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. Bass Reeves was born a slave in Arkansas in 1838. The multitalented LaKeith Stanfield plays the infamous Cherokee Bill in the film. [5] He married Nellie Jennie from Texas, with whom he had ten children, five boys and five girls. The prison kept records of who sent letters and when, recording communication with his father and other relatives throughout his incarceration. Winnie was a widow when she married Bass Reeves. You might start by introducing It was here that he met and married his first wife, Nellie Jennie, from Texas, with whom he had ten children, five boys and five girls. Together with his wife, spend the next ten years farming and raising ten children (five sons and five daughters): Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice. But they weren't the only citizens of Indian Territory. In 1889, Love married his wife Alice and retired from cowboy life. After spending time in Denver as a Pullman porter, he and his family settled in southern California.In 1907, Love published his autobiography, Life and Adventures of Nat Love, Better Known in the Cattle Country as Deadwood Dick, by Himself, which added to his legacy as a cowboy. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Jane Reeves (147727516)? and arrested his own son after a two week manhunt. Now it's continuing as "1883: The Bass Reeves Story," and this is not only going to get people familiar with a badass person from American history, but it will hopefully drive all of the "1883" fans to watch. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. Mrs. Tolliver was defended by the Iowa Land & Trust who argued that Reeves had no right to the land in the first place as he is not a member of the Tribe. Reeves is the first Black deputy US marshal to receive a commission west of the Mississippi river. His great-uncle, Paul L. Brady, was the first black person to be appointed as a federal administrative law judge in 1972. . ). His reputation for persistence, his total fearlessness, his skills with a gun, and his ability to outsmart outlaws struck terror into lawbreakers in what we now call Oklahoma. Born Crawford Goldsby in 1876, Bill and his group, the Cook Gang, ravaged the Indian territory in 1895 and 1896. [online version available through Ancestry.com]. Nudie E. Williams, "Bass Reeves," Negro History Bulletin 42 (April-May-June 1979). Freeman said that he has always wanted to do his own Western as long as its about Reeves. Pickettborn Willie M. Pickett in 1870was a cowboy, performer and appeared in early films such as. Try again later. This large family was a huge help when it came to chores, and the farm became quite profitable over the years. Bass Reeves was born to enslaved people in Arkansas, and the person who likely enslaved his family was William Reeves. Ben grew into a tall, lean man with slate blue eyes. Sally Reeves 1864 - Unknown. Despite his many disguises and calling cards, Reeves always treated his position with great respect. Failed to report flower. Arkansas secedes from the United States, joining forces with the Confederate south. and taking on other aliases to assist his apprehension of criminals. Marshal and is thought to be the inspiration for the Lone Ranger. Bass married Winnie Jane FOREMAN Sumner on month day 1900, at age 62 at marriage place . After being freed in 1863, he married a woman named Nellie Jennie and started a large family. Later Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. 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.. Records relating to Bass Reeves and his family: Inmate Case Files from Leavenworth Penitentiary (. 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. After the Civil War, his family was freed and began working on plantations in and around Davidson County, Tennessee. So it is one of the safest places for escaped slaves. Another outlaw was Tom Story, expert horse thief and murderer, who sold stolen horses south of the Red River from 1884 to 1889, and who lost his life at the Delaware Bend crossing in an attempt to beat Reeves to the draw. Having never learned to read and write, he had someone to read the subpoenas or warrants to him until he memorized which name belonged to each warrant. Failed to delete memorial. Parker hired U.S. He learned their languages and customs, and sharpened his skills as an ambidextrous marksman. He married Nellie Jennie, built an eight-room house with his bare hands, and raised ten. Bass Reeves . Indian Territory was where the Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole, and Chickasaw tribes who were forcibly removed from their homes were resettled following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The state of Oklahoma at the time was two different territories: Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory. Marshal and authorized The Oklahoma Territory Act extends civil and criminal laws of Arkansas over Indian territory. 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. It would be a good idea to occasionally highlight Nats father passed away when he was about 15 years old. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. During the Civil War he fled to the Indian Territory of Oklahoma, where he took refuge with the Seminole, Cherokee, and Creek Indians, learning their customs, languages, and tracking skills. He carried chains to secure prisoners to the wagon, as he sometimes had a dozen or more by the time he returned to Ft. Smith, where Judge Parker held court. https://www.tshaonline.org, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/reeves-bass. S > Sumter | R > Reeves > Winnie (Sumter) Reeves, WIKITREE HOME | ABOUT | G2G FORUM | HELP | SEARCH. He was paid fees in those days that sometimes amounted to thousands of dollars for a single trip . Weve updated the security on the site. 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. At this time, the Freemen's Bureau Act of. By 1907, law enforcement was put in the hands of state agencies. . He also tracked Reeves stands trial for the cooks murder before Judge Parker and is represented by his friend and colleague, former US Attorney W.H.H. By all accounts, Reeves was also a master of disguise. 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. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147727516/jane-reeves. The land comprising Indian Territory becomes the state of Oklahoma. The Western District of Arkansas is established. Reeves traveled the long circuit with a wagon, cook, and often a posse. His children were named Newland, Benjamin, George, Lula, Robert, Sally, Edgar, Bass Jr., Harriet, Homer and Alice. cemeteries found in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. Learn more about managing a memorial . Over his 32-year career as a Deputy U.S. 1898 - The Muskogee Years Reeves transfers to Muskogee, Indian Territory Nov 28, 1901. Marshal. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Bass became a farmer in Arkansas. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Below is a list of the characters as they are depicted in the film and the actors who play them along with a short biography of the true historical figure. Note: This article was edited and compiled from the following sources: https://www.greatblackheroes.com/government/bass-reeves/, https://allthatsinteresting.com/bass-reeves, https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-bassreeves/. In 1889, after Bass was assigned to Paris, Texas, he went after the Tom Story gang of horse thieves. The quicker of the two, Reeves shoots first, killing his quarry in self-defense. Indian territory was attractive to lawbreakers because of its peculiar judiciary arrangement: The tribal courts had jurisdiction only over tribal members. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Reeves, Bass, Supreme Court. A century after Reevess death, a nonfiction biography of Reeves for children, "Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshal, wins the Coretta Scott King Book Award. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. And when the Civil War broke out, Reeves went into battle with his master and was forced to fight for the Confederacy. Bass Reeves marries Texas native Nellie Jennie. In 1906 Bass only wrote one letter to his son and received none for that whole year. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? She was known for her volatile temper and gun-toting, which eventually led to her being kicked out of the convent. Though shaken by the thought of it, Reeves soon arrested his own son. In 1895, she earned a contract from the postal service as a route carrier. Though the warrant had been lying on Bennetts desk for two days, the other deputies were reluctant to take it and though Reeves was shaken, he demanded to accept the responsibility for finding his son. He married Nellie Jennie, a Texan, and fathered ten children, five boys and five girls. Reeves and his family farmed in Van Buren until 1875. A bridge in Oklahoma has been named after him. He quickly gained a reputation as a tough and fearless lawman who managed to bring in outlaws thought to be invincible. He married Nellie Jennie (or Jinney), a Texas native, in 1864, and they raised a family of ten, five boys and five girls. Handbook of Texas Online, 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. his church minister for selling illegal alcohol. 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 was born in 1838, at birth place, Arkansas. Bass Reeves' Family: Wife and Children. Reeves was also skilled at disguising himself As such, he was authorized to arrest both black and white lawbreakers. His record of 3,000 arrests dwarfs the arrest records of better known Old West lawmen such as Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Wild Bill Hickok. He arrested over 3,000 criminals and was . Of course, its worth noting that theres no concrete proof that Reeves inspired the famous character. Every penny counts! After his first wife's death, Reeves married Winnie Sumter of Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1900 and started a second family. years before being tracked down and killed after refusing to surrender. This award is given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values (source: ALA.org/rt/emiert/cksbookawards). Bass Reeves was credited with arresting more than 3,000 felons. The Life Summary of Benjamin When Benjamin Reeves was born in June 1880, in Arkansas, United States, his father, Bass Reeves, was 41 and his mother, Nellie Jennie, was 30. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Reeves embarks on a manhunt for Jim Webb, a horse thief and cowboy believed to have killed eleven people; after a fierce gunfight, a dying Webb gives Reeves his scabbard and his pistol carved with notches from prior kills. and Seminoles. 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. We need your support because we are a non-profit organization that relies upon contributions from our community in order to record and preserve the history of our state. Because of his knowledge of the area and fluency in the Creek and Seminole languages, Little is known of their early relationship but in less than two years, it ended in her murder and his incarceration at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 1875, Indian Territory. of his wife, was tried and convicted but later given a full pardon. It was during the Civil War that Reeves made his great escape.
Carlisle United Hooligans, Springfield, Mo Obituaries 2021, California State Active Duty Pay Chart, Articles N