Born to slave parents,bass reeves would become the first black u. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the adventures of bass reeves deputy u. Fagan hired him as a deputy us marshal and appointed him in the indian territory as he could speak indians language. One plotline depicts reevess youth as a slave, including his service as a body servant to a confederate cavalry officer during the civil war. Actor morgan freeman is one of the producers that will adapt the art t. This literaryhistorical novel details the life of africanamerican deputy us marshal bass reeves between the years 18381862 and 18831884. The us marshal s museum is still a work in progress, accepting contributions at. This epic, actionpacked western tells the incredible true story of bass reeves, the first black marshal in the wild west. The jurisdiction of this territory fell to the united states court for western arkansas, located at fort smith, arkansas. Bass reeves was one of the first african american deputy u. Marshal bass reeves, born as a slave in arkansas, grew up in lamar and grayson counties, texas, where he belonged to col.
Reeves, bass the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and culture. Another plotline depicts him years later, after emancipation, at the height of his deputy. The life and legend of frontier marshal bass reeves race. He worked mostly in arkansas and the oklahoma territory. The sculpture is bronzetone and made to look identical to the monument in fort smith, arkansas by. Dave kennedy, curator of collections and exhibits, said recently the museum is still in search of bass. A drama based on the life of bass reeves, the first africanamerican united states deputy marshal. This project takes us to the classic old west to play out the life of frontier marshal bass reeves.
In the midst of this chaos, nine outlaws attempt to take over a saloon in the worst way. Born a slave in arkansas, reeves grew up in grayson county, texas, following the relocation of his owner, william s. Another plotline depicts him years later, after emancipation, at the height of his deputy career, when he has. For now, ill make do with my long look at the statue on the grounds of judge parkers historic courthouse. Marshal in the indian and oklahoma territories during those wild and wooly days before statehood came in 1907. Bass reeves was big, tall, and strong, wore a bushy mustache, and rode a powerful. In 1875, reeves was hired as a commissioned deputy u.
Aug 06, 20 was bass reeves a former slave turned deputy u. See more ideas about african, black history and black cowboys. Reeves, bass the handbook of texas online texas state. Bass reeves frontier marshal volume 1 kindle edition by phillips, gary, odom, mel, salmon, andrew, ferguson, derrick. Reeves, later to become the speaker of the house in the texas legislature. Bass reeves frontier marshal volume 1 kindle edition by. The legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen scholastic.
He faced some of the most murderous outlaws known to. Apr 21, 2014 bass reeves family however, claims an alternative story which suggests that between 1861 and 1862, reeves attacked his owner in an argument over a card game and escaped into indian territory. That reeves was also an african american who had spent his early life as a slave in arkansas and texas makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable. Apr 20, 2017 morgan freemans bass reeves project finally gets a lift, thanks to hbo.
Based on recent news, the next few months and years could be all about that bass reeves. 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 frontier marshal volume 1 phillips, gary, odom, mel, salmon, andrew, ferguson, derrick on. Reeves, born into slavery, served for 32 years under federal judge isaac c. Reeves, bass, reeves, bass, united states marshals, united states marshals, african americans, african american police. Bass reeves could well have been one of the greatest lawmen of the wild west. This last saturday in may 2012 was set aside to commemorate the life, legacy and remarkable public service of one of the finest us marshals ever to wear a badge deputy us marshal bass reeves. Gritty, fictionalized biography of forgotten western hero. Bass reeves worked to bring about law and order to a terrible area, but when a democratic government was set up, it was worse than before for bass, brady said. Bass reeves, a former slave who escaped to prestatehood oklahoma to live among the indian nations and became the states most wellknown lawman, will be the subject of a tv. Deputy marshal west of the mississippi river and a great frontier hero. Feb 22, 2012 hollywood is joining fort smith in honoring one of the men who hunted outlaws in the wild west.
One plotline depicts reeves s youth as a slave, including his service as a body servant to a confederate cavalry officer during the civil war. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. As a young man bass reeves escaped north into the indian territory, and he became acquainted with the cherokee, creek, and. Marshals museum timing depending on the progress of fundraising, opening of the u. He was the first black us marshal to serve in the indian territory and was assigned in the western district of arkansan. When bass reeves reached the age of 37, us marshal james f.
Bass reeves escaped numerous assassination attempts on his life, he was the most feared deputy u. Marshal bass reeves ever pulled on a criminal a particularly glorious example of fake it til you make it. When those old gunfighters are sittin around valhalla discussin,who was the greatest of em all, the name bass reeves is sure to be mentioned. 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. Oct 02, 2017 when those old gunfighters are sittin around valhalla discussin,who was the greatest of em all, the name bass reeves is sure to be mentioned. Montgomery lauren hanzelka university of northern iowa bad news for outlaws. Marshals and the last frontier publish america, 2004 rae anna victor, george washingtons revolutionary marshals infinity publishing, 2004. Marshal museum, and the bass reeves legacy initiative, wellington ltd is proud to honor this true american western hero by introducing the deputy u. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen goodreads. 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. With derek ray duncan, samuel godwin, mauricio griffin, david guthrie. Reports regarding reevess activities and whereabouts. Bass reeves roamed the american west for more than three decades, chasing murderers, thieves and whiskey smugglers.
Unfortunately, this long ordeal depleted most of basss life savings and although he continued working for many years, he never recovered from this financial strain. Reeves was born into a paris, texas, slave family circa 1838, and was the first africanamerican to be commissioned a u. Hollywood is joining fort smith in honoring one of the men who hunted outlaws in the wild west. Bass reeves july 1838 january 12, 1910 was an american law enforcement officer. The 2010 coretta scott king author award winner title of a book, article or other published item this will display to the public.
Marshall, staunchly defended territorial law in the american west through many remarkable deeds. Having escaped from slavery after the civil war, he arrives in arkansas seeking a job with the law. Marshal by vaunda micheaux nelson is a great read, especially for 35 grade students who may be reluctant or uninterested readers. 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. The life and legend of frontier marshal bass reeves university of nebraska press, 2006 james h.
House, santiago villalobos, craig rainey, wesley blake. Jeffrey winston forrest, 47, is wanted by the taylor county sheriffs department in abilene, texas, for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, bail jumping, and failure to appear. In 1907, he retired as a us marshal and served as a police officer in muskogee, oklahoma, until his death in 1910. 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. He was tall at 62, expert shooter with either hand.
Marshals named him one of the nations 15 most wanted. Born into slavery, bass reeves became the most successful us marshal of the wild west. United states deputy marshal bass reeves was back on the job working once more for the western district court and for judge isaac c. Reeves health failed in january 1910, and he died of brights disease in that year. Tales of a western legendhe began his life as a slave. Reeves, bass the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and. April 08, 2020 the manhunt for a former youth minister turned fugitive intensified today as the u. The legend of bass reeves by author gary paulsen is a western written for young readers. Bass reeves finally gets his hollywood moment in hbos. It focuses on the true story of a littleknown marshal who patrolled the old indian territory, now known as oklahoma. To prove himself, he must hunt down a deadly outlaw with the help of a grizzled journeyman. Maybe the law aint perfect, but its the only one we got, and without it we got nuthin bass reeves. In the year 1875 the indian territory was the most dangerous place in the united states, because there was virtually no law to govern the land. I actually think that will happen, that there will be a bass reeves movie for the theaters.
Many claim bass reeves was the reallife inspiration. Hell on the border is based on the story of bass reeves, a former slave who became the first black deputy us marshal west of the mississippi. Morgan freemans bass reeves project finally gets a lift. Tv show about famed oklahoma lawman bass reeves to be.
Amazon best books of the month, november 2009 tales of the wild west dont get any better than the life and times of bass reeves, the first africanamerican deputy u. Bass reeves worked a total of thirtytwo years as a deputy u. I hope to visit one day and take a look at the planned bass reeves exhibit. Fox news and the discovery channel plan separate documentaries this summer about the legendary u. You want the definition of a touch old west lawman. Nkokheli conducted a bass reeves presentation as part of the event. The united states marshals service usms is a federal law enforcement agency within the u. About bass reeves bass reeves western history conference. The book uses old west language to tell the story of reeves exciting life capturing criminals. The legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen books on. Marshals museum in fort smith has an impressive collection of guns and documents related to famed deputy u.
Bass reeves, american lawman who was one of the first deputy u. Honoring deputy us marshal bass reeves catalyst partners. Recently acquired bass reeves artifacts will be unveiled this saturday, july 25 at the u. Marshals museum in downtown fort smith could coincide with the hbo series. The city of muskogee will be the location for the world premier showing of the major motion picture, hell on the border. The life and legend of frontier marshall bass reeves. Though the truth has yet to be determined, historians consider it unlikely that reeves ever served in the last two battles. That reeves was also an african american who had spent his early life as a slave in arkansas and texas makes his accomplishments all. Deputy marshal west of the mississippi river and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our nations history. He was a dogged tracker with a reputation for getting his man.
During his time as a marshal, reeves caught more than 3,000 criminals. Yet another miniseries adapted from a biography is in the planning stages at hbo. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the legend of bass reeves. But then the cloaked man reveals himself to be the legendary bass reevesthe reallife, first black deputy u. Gregory christieboth coretta scott king award honoreesbring this fascinating historical figure to life. Publication date 2006 topics reeves, bass, reeves, bass, african americans, slaves, united states marshals, african americans, slaves, united states marshals publisher new york. The life and legend of frontier marshal bass reeves race and ethnicity in the american west free. This western action movie is adapted from the bestselling novel trilogy. The legend of bass reeves ebook written by gary paulsen. During the late 19th century no area in the united states was a haven and a refuge for criminals like the indian territory, prestatehood oklahoma. A western adventure from the author of the bass reeves stories kindle edition by ray, charles, thompson, paul l. He usually either brought his outlaw in or left him dead. Born to slave parents in 1838 in crawford county, arkansas, bass reeves would become the first black u.
Reeves served as deputy us marshal in the indian territory for thirtytwo years. Marshals museums descendants day event in fort smith. Marshal bass reeves appears as one of eight notable oklahomans, the most feared u. Marshal bass reeves, a true legend of the american west. 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. In honor of this heroic legacy, and in cooperation with noted author and historian art burton, the u. 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. Bass reeves juillet 1838 12 janvier 1910 etait le premier sherif adjoint noir a l ouest du. Air national guard photo by airman 1st class cody martin. Jan 27, 2010 former slave bass reeves, the first black u.
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