Dusty Relics of Arkansas History
April 8-14, 2019
Bass Reeves
By Bob Denman
Everyone knows the story of Isaac Parker, the hanging judge from Fort Smith, but not many know the story of one of his most valued Deputy Marshall’s Bass Reeves.
Bass Reeves farmed near Van Buren with his wife Nellie Jennie and their very large family, eventually totaling five boys and five girls. He built his eight-room farmhouse by hand and was popular among his few neighbors.
In 1875 Judge Parker appointed James Fagan as U.S. Marshall for the Western District and directed him to hire 200 deputy Marshall’s to clean up the Indian Territory and in Judge Parkers words, “Bring them back Dead or Alive”.
Marshall Fagan knew Reeves had spent some of his earlier years living with the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek Indians in Oklahoma. Knowledge of their culture and language could be a valuable asset to a U.S. Marshall. Fagan recruited Reeves who eventually served as a Federal Peace Officer for 32 years.
He cut an imposing figure at 6-foot-2, riding a stallion and always adorned with a big black hat. He was fearless, skilled with a gun, and could outsmart anyone on the run in Indian Territory. He was good natured, possessed good manners and a sense of humor. Many in popular culture say he was the inspiration for the Lone Ranger radio and television character.
Working some 75,000 square miles in Indian Territory, he admits to bringing in 3,000 outlaws, desperados, thieves and murderers. He also admits to killing 14, most all in self-defense.
He even had to arrest his own son for the murder of his wife, something that troubled him greatly, but he was after all, a U.S. Marshall ranking right up there with Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp.
Fort Smith, Judge Parker, Indian Territory … kind of reminds you of the great Charles Portis character of “True Grit” fame. Reeves was likely the inspiration for Rooster Cogburn too.
But there was one big difference in Reeves and Cogburn, and the Lone Ranger, Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp for that matter. Bass Reeves was a black man and the more likely inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s “Django.”
He was born into slavery in Crawford County Arkansas and like the common practice of the day, took his owners surname. That owner, William Steele Reeves was a member of the Arkansas legislature.
Now I enjoyed “Django,” but Bass Reeves deserves an even better movie than that. He was the Great American U.S. Marshall and Arkansas’ greatest lawmen ever. Yep, more Rooster Cogburn and Lone Ranger for me. He may be a Dusty Relic of Arkansas History but not for long – Morgan Freeman is championing an HBO miniseries on his life.
PHOTO CAPTION:
During his tenure as a lawman, Bass Reeves quickly attained legendary status. He was said to have superhuman strength – although he could neither read or write, he was able to memorize each warrant after it was read to him, and he never brought in the wrong man. (Source: GregJackP/Public Domain)
