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Bass Reeves: The Life and Legacy of the Wild West’s First Black Deputy Marshal
*Includes pictures
*Includes a bibliography for further reading
“My mom always said she heard that Bass was so tough he could spit on a brick and bust it in two!” – attributed to Willabelle Shultz, granddaughter of Reeves' colleague
Exploration of the early American West, beginning with Lewis and Clark’s transcontinental trek at the behest of President Thomas Jefferson, was not accomplished by standing armies, the era’s new steam train technology, or by way of land grabs. These came later, but not until pathways known only to a few of the land’s indigenous people were discovered, carved out, and charted in an area stretching from the eastern Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and the present-day borders of Mexico and Canada. Even the great survey parties, such as Colonel William Powell’s exploration of the Colorado River, came decades later. The first views of the West’s enormity by white Americans were seen by individuals of an entirely different personality, in an era that could only exist apart from its home civilization.
Explorers, soldiers, and settlers of African-American heritage comprise an unfamiliar story to most students of American history. However, in the push westward, they were present in sufficient enough numbers to exert great influence on the nation’s development. Among the earliest accounts is that of Isabel de Olvera, who settled in New Mexico around the year of 1600, and it is estimated that by 1750, 25% of Albuquerque’s population shared discernible African ancestry. York, the well-known servant of Lewis and Clark, accompanied the legendary expedition under the auspices of the Jefferson administration, and Edward Rose traveled up the Missouri River in the same era. Within just a few years, Pio Pico became the governor of California, and George Bush became one of the first black men to travel the Oregon Trail, opening that route to a flood of settlers over a 10-year period.
In parallel with these individuals came a number of black frontiersmen who participated in the exploration of the Western terrain, said to have numbered in the dozens. Seldom heard but notable names of black figures in the West include trick rodeo rider Jesse Stahl, stunt rider and castle rustler Ned Huddleston, and Bass Reeves, the first black deputy U.S. Marshal. Isom Dart and Willie Bill Pickett also garnered some fame in the era.
Furthermore, given the segregated nature of society, it was all the more shocking that Reeves reached such a position in law enforcement. The region was known for infamous outlaws and gangs, but numerous icons in the form of tin-star bearing, gun-toting lawmen emerged, sworn to round up these anarchic and violent desperadoes and bring them to justice, dead or alive. Some of them are still well known today, such as Wyatt Earp and Sheriff Pat Garrett, a former cowboy, bartender, and customs agent best known for his slaying of Billy the Kid. Bill Tilghman, a prolific peace officer and member of the Three Guardsmen, along with Chris Madsen and Heck Thomas, cemented his place in history when he apprehended the elusive bandit outlaw Bill Doolin, a one-time member of the Dalton Gang and later head of the Wild Bunch. Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas himself was hailed as one of the most accomplished lawmen of the West in his own right, squaring off with and playing a hand in the arrests of dozens of marauders and murderers, including several members of the Sam Bass Gang, as well as Jim and Pink Lee of the notorious Lee Gang. Despite his hulking 6'2” and 200-lb frame, the famously indomitable Bass Reeves was a man of mystery. Although his peerless reputation and near-flawless track record often preceded him, this mountain of a man – both literally and figuratively – had a gift for blending in and creeping up on his targets unnoticed.
*Includes a bibliography for further reading
“My mom always said she heard that Bass was so tough he could spit on a brick and bust it in two!” – attributed to Willabelle Shultz, granddaughter of Reeves' colleague
Exploration of the early American West, beginning with Lewis and Clark’s transcontinental trek at the behest of President Thomas Jefferson, was not accomplished by standing armies, the era’s new steam train technology, or by way of land grabs. These came later, but not until pathways known only to a few of the land’s indigenous people were discovered, carved out, and charted in an area stretching from the eastern Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and the present-day borders of Mexico and Canada. Even the great survey parties, such as Colonel William Powell’s exploration of the Colorado River, came decades later. The first views of the West’s enormity by white Americans were seen by individuals of an entirely different personality, in an era that could only exist apart from its home civilization.
Explorers, soldiers, and settlers of African-American heritage comprise an unfamiliar story to most students of American history. However, in the push westward, they were present in sufficient enough numbers to exert great influence on the nation’s development. Among the earliest accounts is that of Isabel de Olvera, who settled in New Mexico around the year of 1600, and it is estimated that by 1750, 25% of Albuquerque’s population shared discernible African ancestry. York, the well-known servant of Lewis and Clark, accompanied the legendary expedition under the auspices of the Jefferson administration, and Edward Rose traveled up the Missouri River in the same era. Within just a few years, Pio Pico became the governor of California, and George Bush became one of the first black men to travel the Oregon Trail, opening that route to a flood of settlers over a 10-year period.
In parallel with these individuals came a number of black frontiersmen who participated in the exploration of the Western terrain, said to have numbered in the dozens. Seldom heard but notable names of black figures in the West include trick rodeo rider Jesse Stahl, stunt rider and castle rustler Ned Huddleston, and Bass Reeves, the first black deputy U.S. Marshal. Isom Dart and Willie Bill Pickett also garnered some fame in the era.
Furthermore, given the segregated nature of society, it was all the more shocking that Reeves reached such a position in law enforcement. The region was known for infamous outlaws and gangs, but numerous icons in the form of tin-star bearing, gun-toting lawmen emerged, sworn to round up these anarchic and violent desperadoes and bring them to justice, dead or alive. Some of them are still well known today, such as Wyatt Earp and Sheriff Pat Garrett, a former cowboy, bartender, and customs agent best known for his slaying of Billy the Kid. Bill Tilghman, a prolific peace officer and member of the Three Guardsmen, along with Chris Madsen and Heck Thomas, cemented his place in history when he apprehended the elusive bandit outlaw Bill Doolin, a one-time member of the Dalton Gang and later head of the Wild Bunch. Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas himself was hailed as one of the most accomplished lawmen of the West in his own right, squaring off with and playing a hand in the arrests of dozens of marauders and murderers, including several members of the Sam Bass Gang, as well as Jim and Pink Lee of the notorious Lee Gang. Despite his hulking 6'2” and 200-lb frame, the famously indomitable Bass Reeves was a man of mystery. Although his peerless reputation and near-flawless track record often preceded him, this mountain of a man – both literally and figuratively – had a gift for blending in and creeping up on his targets unnoticed.
53 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2020
81 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 24, 2020
A very good account of the life of Bass Reeves with an extensive reference list for further reading.
March 13, 2022
I liked it. It is a part of the story, the TRUE story of westward expansion and the effect of racist policies on law enforcement even after emancipation.
May 23, 2020
A fun read, well constructed and surprisingly informative.
October 31, 2023
A great short read on the life and accomplishments of Bass Reeves. I wanted to give this a quick read before the Paramount+ show began on November 5th. My grandad loves Westerns and learning more about the real history of the Wild West rather than the offensive "Cowboys and Indians" narrative often portrayed has piqued my interest in the topic.
April 5, 2024
Bass Reeves
I had never heard of Bass Reeves films few years ago, but just the things I've heard and read about since then, wondered why I had never heard of this man. History is full.of stories of black men and women, who have accomplished great things, but we're never given credit because of their race. Sad
I had never heard of Bass Reeves films few years ago, but just the things I've heard and read about since then, wondered why I had never heard of this man. History is full.of stories of black men and women, who have accomplished great things, but we're never given credit because of their race. Sad
October 29, 2023
Bass Reeves
This book should be assigned as historical reference in Oklahoma history classes for middle and high school students. The credits at the end of the book are plentiful for further research.
This book should be assigned as historical reference in Oklahoma history classes for middle and high school students. The credits at the end of the book are plentiful for further research.
May 3, 2020
What a track record! Bass Reeves, not just a law-man, but a fine citizen.
Thanks for bringing him to my attention
Thanks for bringing him to my attention
May 13, 2022
Short overview of badass wild west lawman Bass Reeves.
November 23, 2023
A Real Hero
This is quite a story, told pretty much in highlights. I had never heard of Bass Reeves before but I will certainly remember him now.
This is quite a story, told pretty much in highlights. I had never heard of Bass Reeves before but I will certainly remember him now.
February 11, 2024
A legendary lawman. You have to wonder if all the facts are true or if the author grabbed some material from dime novels which were popular in the Old West.
April 21, 2024
It's a really short book but still very informative of Bass Reeves life As a Marshall in the Old West.
July 13, 2024
Bass Reeves
What an interesting man. As always. Charles Rivers get me interested and places to go to find more information. Definitely worth the dive for
What an interesting man. As always. Charles Rivers get me interested and places to go to find more information. Definitely worth the dive for
November 13, 2024
This was an interesting piece of history I had not known about before.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews