Reeves had a well-earned reputation for law enforcement south of the Red River. Nellie married Bass Reeves in 1864, at age 24 in Arkansas, United States. Stagecoach Mary is his on-again, off-again lover, and assists him in his journey for revenge. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. He then quickly disarmed a second and shot a third, only injuring him. Leaving Fort Smith, often with a pocketful of warrants, Bass would return months later herding a number of outlaws charged with crimes ranging from bootlegging to murder. After reading about Bass Reeves, take a look at 9 iconic Black soldiers who risked it all to fight for America. Wikimedia CommonsThe Lone Ranger, Tonto, and his silver stallion from the 1950s TV series The Lone Ranger. Period: 1865 to 1875. 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. He arrested over 3,000 criminals and was . Published by the Texas State Historical Association. Verify and try again. Then, he would often distract outlaws with a clever gimmick, asking them to read the warrant or some other letter for him. In the end, Reeves was acquitted. He married Nellie Jennie in 1864, and then Winnie Sumter after she died. Reeves was well aware of the historic precedent, and took his responsibilities seriously. In 1882, Reeves arrested Belle Starr for horse theft. . In a statement he gave in February of 1903, he said, By constant worry over her actions and the breaking up of my home, and receiving such an answer I lost all control and shot her.[1] It was in this statement that he confirmed that his father, the famous frontier Deputy U.S. and there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not the inspiration for the Lone Ranger A year later, he married Nellie Jennie of Texas. However, it was his refusal to make exceptions that was extraordinary. Leave a message for others who see this profile. On November 13, 1914, Ben Reeves life sentence was commuted and he was released three days later. While the story told in the Netflix film released today is entirely fictional, many of its characters were historical figures. Among them were Bob Dozier, a master criminal whose illegal activities included cattle and horse theft, land swindles, and murder, and who eluded Reeves for several years before being killed after refusing to surrender in the rain and mud in the Cherokee Hills. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Weve updated the security on the site. Though shaken by the thought of it, Reeves soon arrested his own son. Reeves, thinking quickly, explains that he needs to write down the date of their capture, buying him enough time to draw his revolver, which he used to shoot dead one of his attackers. A year later, he married Nellie Jennie of Texas. of his wife, was tried and convicted but later given a full pardon. Wikimedia CommonsBass Reeves was known for his exceptional shooting skills and his ability to dodge bullets. , , Linea del tiempo-GENERACIONES DE LAS COMPUTADORAS, See more Science and Technology timelines, http://www.fjc.gov/history/home.nsf/page/courts_district_ar.html, http://newsok.com/feed/statue-of-u.s.-marshal-to-travel-from-oklahoma-to-arkansas-wednesday/article/3675994?custom_click=pod_headline_news, https://fortsmith.org/bass-reeves-monument. Just a few years later, on January 12, 1910, Bass Reeves died of Brights disease an outdated term for a kidney disease that is now known as nephritis. *Additional information from Misty Dawn*childrenSally Reeves 1864-Robert Reeves 1866-Harriet Reeves 1868-George Reeves 1870-Alis Reeves 1872-Newland Reeves 1873-Edgar Reeves 1876-Lula Reeves 1878-Homer Reeves 1882-1903Bass Reeves, Jr 1887-1901*Added July 12, 2017*, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. west of the Mississippi River. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. He began his life as an outlaw at the age of 18, robbing stagecoaches, banks, and stores. Reeves was recruited to work as a deputy U.S. marshal in the Indian Territory. In his 32 years as a Deputy U.S. And perhaps most exciting, he was portrayed in the HBO series Watchmen in 2019. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. You might start by introducing Reeves was married twice and had eleven children. While Reeves was a successful farmer, rancher, and father, he occasionally worked as a scout and used his tracking skills to help lawmen find criminals but his true second act had yet to begin. It is not known the exact location of Jennie's grave, the listing from the cemetery log with her name as unknown location in this block. An illustration of a shootout in the Wild West. It also may have been an inspiration for the film Django Unchained. The 2010 straight-to-video movie Bass Reeves is a fictionalized account of the lawman's life. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Photos and Memories (1) His own son, Bennie, had been charged with murder, after having killed his wife in a fit of jealousy. Bass eventually moved to Arkansas where he met his wife Nellie Jennie and raised their ten children. In this arrangement, the trustee will continue to serve time within the prison walls, but is able to stay in a dormitory, have special privileges, and spend much more time outside of confinement.[4]. Any chance I get to revisit historical moments of our country is important to me.. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Freed by the Emancipation Proclamation and no longer a fugitive, the six-foot-two, 190-pound former slave left the Indian country, bought land near Van Buren, Arkansas, and became a successful stockman and farmer. Bass Reeves was the first African American commissioned to serve as a deputy marshal Bass Reeves began to ride the Oklahoma range in search of outlaws. Nellie Jennie (Bass Reeves' wife) What is Palomino Mugging? Below is an article about Reeves from Matt Helm first published in blackpast.org. The 13th Amendment is proclaimed, abolishing slavery in the United States. Add to your scrapbook. The story of "1883" and why the Duttons settled exactly where they did had, for all intents and purposes, ended at a natural stopping place. Two weeks later, Bass returned to Muskogee with his son in tow and turned him over to Marshal Bennett. . Civil War began, George Reeves, Bass owner, joined the Confederate Army, taking Bass Later Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. and Seminoles. Arkansas is granted statehood, entering the United States as a slaveholding state. So he decided to leave Indian Territory to farm his own land near Van Buren, Arkansas. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. Story panicked and drew his gun, but Reeves drew and shot him dead before Story could fire. He married Nellie Benny had fled to the badlands after the crime, and no other marshal was willing to pursue him. Bass was hired as a U.S. Deputy Marshal by Judge Issac Parker, known as "the hanging judge". During this time, young Bass impresses the owner of his family with his pleasant demeanor and aptitude for working with livestock. Contrary to what classic Westerns might lead us to believe, one in four American cowboys was actually African American. 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. Brought to trial before Judge Parker, he testified that he shot the cook by accident while cleaning his gun, and was acquitted. The son, wanted for the murder of his wife, was tried and convicted but later given a full pardon. Here, he also honed his firearm skills, becoming very quick and accurate with a pistol and rifle. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. Also starring ESSENCE digital cover star Zazie Beetz, Edi Gathegi, RJ Cyler, Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, Delroy Lindo, Daniel Deadwyler and Deon Cole, The Harder They Fall premieres on Netflix on November 3. Please enter your email and password to sign in. 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. Reeves is almost killed while pursuing four men along the Seminole Whiskey Trail. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? But despite being shot at on multiple occasions, he managed to dodge every single bullet, earning him the moniker The Indomitable Marshal.. outlaw Tom Story for five years between 1884 and 1889, finally killing him in a gunfight. At the age of 69 Reeves WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. his church minister for selling illegal alcohol. Oklahoma. One account recalls how Bass Reeves His memoir. Meet Bass Reeves, The Legendary Black Deputy Who Patrolled The Wild West. Daniel J. Littlefield, Jr., and Lonnie E. Underhill, Negro Marshal in the Indian An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Lula Reeves 1881 - 1899. now free, moved to Van Buren, Arkansas where he bought land and worked as a farmer and stockman. Covering some 75,000 square miles, the United States Court at Fort Smith, was the largest in the nation. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Winnie married Deputy U.S. Ben kept in close contact with his sisters and their stepmother, but his relationship with his father appears to have been strained. Despite his many disguises and calling cards, Reeves always treated his position with great respect. While the story told in the all-Black western is entirely fictional, many of its characters were actual figures. As the story goes, Reeves beat up his master after a dispute over cards and then fled to avoid punishment. Bass Reeves, is the first African-American to be deputized by the U.S. The son, wanted for the murder He worked there for two years before Try again. The following work is the result of the memorial creator Jane Jamell-Hinkle's research:Funeral Home Record from Birnie Brothers Funeral Home. We'll send you a couple of emails per month, filled with fascinating history facts that you can share with your friends. The American Civil War begins when confederate soldiers open fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina and union soldiers surrender. All deputies were tasked with cleaning up Indian Territory and on Judge Parkers orders, Bring them in alive or dead!. Bass Reeves died on January 12, 1910 and a letter from his wife arrived at Ft. Leavenworth Penitentiary just four days later. In the film, he is an outlaw, and another member of Loves gang. marksman, Reeves was an imposing law enforcement officer at six foot two. 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. During this time, Reeves health diminishes, forcing him out of the Muskogee police force. Unavailable. A bridge in Oklahoma has been named after him. So it is one of the safest places for escaped slaves. Marshal service. Accessed on July 7, 2021. An illustration of a Confederate campsite during the Civil War. The real Nat Love was born into slavery in 1854. Arkansas where he bought land and worked as a farmer and stockman. Every penny counts! Thanks for your help! A 25 foot bronze statue of Reeves is unveiled at Pendergraft Park in Fort Smith, Arkansas. And fugitives took full advantage of the area. Many of the district courts asked for Reeves because of his reliability in serving warrants. 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. The Oklahoma Territory Act extends civil and criminal laws of Arkansas over Indian territory. Parents. Failed to remove flower. Please try again later. Bass Reeves, was the first black U.S. Deputy Marshal west of the Mississippi River and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our nations history. Refining his skills as an outdoorsman, Bass became an expert sharpshooter. She passed away on 19 March 1896. Producing are MTV Entertainment Studios, Bosque Ranch Productions, Yoruba Saxon, and 101 Studios. After having delivered two prisoners to U.S. At this time he resided on South 2nd Street and worked as a manager at Meltons Caf. The Real Housewives of Atlanta The Bachelor Sister Wives 90 Day Fiance Wife Swap The Amazing Race Australia Married at First Sight The Real . He died in 1910 from nephritis. He then became a city police officer in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Bass Reeves . For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Reeves used the "piece of paper" ruse several times in his career to distract felons to similar ends. . Reeves was arrested himself in 1887, and charged with murder in the death of his posse cook, William Leach. Reeves transfers to Muskogee, 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. When William S. Reeves died, his son George made Bass Reeves his personal companion and servant. Though the tales of Bass heroics are many and varied, the toughest manhunt for the lawman was that of hunting down his own son in 1902. He became a barber and on November 20, 1900, married Castella Brown. The film tells the story of Nat Love (Jonathan Majors), an outlaw hell bent on avenging the death of his parents, who were murdered in cold blood by Rufus Buck (Idris Elba). He married Nellie Jennie, a Texan, and fathered ten children, five boys and five girls. with him. Just one grandparent can lead you to many Try again later. The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry. region: "", He quickly gained a reputation as a tough and fearless lawman who managed to bring in outlaws thought to be invincible. Bass Reeves was born in 1838, at birth place, Arkansas. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Drag images here or select from your computer for Jane Jennie Reeves memorial. Oops, we were unable to send the email. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. She was a Creek Freedwoman and a full member of the Creek Nation. Ben grew into a tall, lean man with slate blue eyes. . After the death of his wife, Reeves married Winnie Sumter of Muskogee, Okla., and. Reeves died of Bright's disease in 1910. Ben Bennie Reeves was born around 1882 to Bass Reeves and Nellie Jennie in Texas. That man's son, Colonel George R. Reeves, took Bass with him when he joined the Confederate Army in the Civil War. Reeves, though reluctant to take on the difficult task, did the job when no other deputy dared to. 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. The legendary actor and director Morgan Freeman has also expressed interest in working on a project focused on the deputy. Bass Reeves, is the first African-American to be deputized by the U.S. By several accounts, Reeves served as a guide for U.S. marshals going into the Indian Territory. Possibly based on his exceptional record, Reeves is acquitted. Over his 32-year career as a Deputy U.S. 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). Briana Jones is a freelance writer, screenwriter, and artist roaming the hot sands of the southwest. When Isaac C. Parker was appointed judge for the Federal Western District Court at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on May 10, 1875, to bring law to the Indian Territory, one of his first official acts was to swear in a United States marshal and appoint 200 deputies to curb the lawlessness in the area. Reeves buys farmland near Van Buren, AR. 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