Before you read the article: Thank you, all, for reading my article. I’m a part of the largest online marketplace for Black-owned businesses called We Buy Black. Similar to Etsy or Amazon, this website allows for Black-owned businesses to create a shop and sell their amazing products to the world! If you have a product, you should definitely join this platform! We Buy Black also has it’s Inaugural We Buy Black Convention happening this November 16th-17th in Atlanta, GA and I hope to see you all there. In fact, I along with hundreds of others will be wearing our official We Buy Black T-shirt, so here’s my gift to you: Get 50% off the official WBB T-shirt using my code WBB2018. Peace, family!
Bondage
Bass Reeves was born into bondage in 1838, in Arkansas. He was owned by William S. Reeves. Since it was against the law for a slave to learn how to read or write, young Bass never learned either. He remained illiterate for his entire life. In 1846, William moved to Texas. Bass had no choice but to move to Texas as well.
Escape
While living in Texas, the Civil War erupted. Reeves was forced to serve the Confederacy alongside William Reeves’ son, George. While fighting, Reeves escaped to Indian Territory (modern day Oklahoma). Indian Territory was ruled by five tribes: Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, Choctaw, and Chickasaw. He learned the customs and languages of the Creek and Seminole tribes.
Emancipation
After the 13th Amendment was passed in 1865, Reeves was a free man and no longer a fugitive. He moved back to Arkansas and began his family. He had a total of 11 children. In 1875, Reeves was recruited by U.S. Marshal James Fagan as a lawman. His duty was to bring order to the chaotic West. He became the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi.
Master of Disguise
As a marshal, Reeves often disguised himself in order to find the outlaw(s) he was looking for. In attempting to capture a pair of outlaws who were brothers, Reeves walked 30 miles disguised as a vagrant. The outlaws’ mother offered him a place to sleep for the night. By the next morning, he had arrested both outlaws in their sleep.
Fired
When Reeves’ son was found guilty of killing his wife, Reeves arrested him. His son was later issued a life sentence. Although it pained Reeves, it was his duty to uphold the law. After serving 32 years as a marshal, 3,000 arrests, 14 kills, and zero gunshot wounds, Reeves was removed from his position once Oklahoma gained its statehood in 1907. State laws banned Black people from serving as U.S. marshals.
The Real Lone Ranger
Bass Reeves died January 18, 1910, from Bright’s disease. He was in his early 70s. There is no concrete evidence to support his claim, but biographer Art T. Burton theorized that Reeves may have been the inspiration for the famous fictional lawman, the Lone Ranger. Reeves’ contribution to history is a legacy that will not be forgotten.
**The views and actions of the DDH historical figures that are featured may not reflect the views and beliefs of Ramiro The Writer. Thank you.**
About Post Author
