Who was Bass Reeves the Western lawman?

Answer 1

Bass Reeves was the most important lawman in the Indian Territory and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our country's history. The research on his life is ongoing and is believed we will learn even more in the future about his outstanding dedication and commitment to duty. Hopefully the location where he was buried in Muskogee, Oklahoma will be found. Below are four articles from the two major newspapers in Muskogee, early in the century. They are the Muskogee Phoenix and the Muskogee Times Democrat. The articles discuss Reeves career during his sickness and after his death. The articles were written after statehood when bias and prejudice against African Americans was very strong, some of the comments reflect that mindset. But still it is very impressive testimonials from two white newspapers of the era: ---- 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. 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 the early days when the Indian country was overriden with outlaws, Reeves was sent to go through the Indian country and gather up criminals which were tried at Fort Smith. These trips lasted sometimes for months and Reeves would herd into Fort Smith often single handed, bands of men charged with crimes from bootlegging to murder. He was paid fees in those days which some times amounted to thousands of dollars for a single trip. For a time Reeves made a great deal of money and was said to be worth considerable. He then shot a man whom he was trying to arrest and was tried for murder. The fight for life in the courts was a bitter one, but finally Reeves was acquitted on the testimony of a young negro girl. He was freed, but not until most of his money was gone. The veteran negro deputy never quailed in facing any man. Chief Ledbetter says of the old man that he is one of the bravest men this country has ever known. He was honest and fearless, and a terror to the bootleggers. He was as polite as an old-time slave to the white people and most loyal to his superiors. His son shot and killed his own wife and Reeves, enforcing the law arrested his own son. The young negro was sent to the penitentiary. While the old man is slowly sinking, Bud Ledbetter, who for years was in the government service with Reeves is caring for the old man the best he can and is a daily visitor at the Reeves home. Police Judge Walrond, who was United States district attorney while Reeves was an officer, also calls on the old negro. "While Reeves could neither read nor write," said Judge Walrond today, "he had a faculty of telling what warrants to serve on any one and never made a mistake. Reeves carried a batch of warrants in his pocket and when his superior officers asked him to produce it the old man would run through them and never fail to pick out the one desired. Since statehood, Reeves was given a place on the police force, but became ill and unable to work. For the past year he has been growing weaker, and has but little time to spend in this world. He is nearly seventy years old. ---- Bass Reeves, colored, for 32 years a deputy United States marshal in Indian Territory, who served under the famous Judge Parker at Fort Smith and later at Muskogee, a man credited with fourteen notches on his gun and a terror to outlaws and desperadoes in the old days, died at his home at 816 North Howard Street late yesterday afternoon at the age of 72. Death was caused by Bright's disease and complications. Information found at: http://www.coax.net/people/lwf/BASS_LEG.HTM