Early Life & Background
Before becoming a deputy marshal, Bass Reeves spent his youth enslaved by this Arkansas farmer.
Who is William Reeves?
Bass Reeves married this woman in 1866, and they remained together until her death in 1896.
Who is Nellie Jennie?
Reeves was one of the first Black men to serve as a Deputy U.S. Marshal west of this river.
What is the Mississippi?
Bass Reeves escaped slavery during this major American conflict in the 1860's.
What is the Civil War?
Many historians believe this fictional masked lawman was inspired by Bass Reeves' exploits.
Who is the Lone Ranger?
After escaping slavery, Bass Reeves lived among this group of people, learning their languages and survival skills.
Who are the Native American tribes (Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek)?
Bass Reeves married Nellie Jennie, with whom he had this many children.
What is ten?
Reeves became known for his expert use in these two areas, which later made him a formidable lawman.
What are the use of fire arms and tracking skills.
After the Civil War, Reeves lived through this period when the U.S. attempted to rebuild and integrate African Americans into society.
What is Reconstruction?
Bass Reeves' habit of wearing disguises to capture criminals mirrors this trademark of the Lone Ranger.
What is wearing a mask?
Before joining law enforcement, Reeves worked as a farmer in this U.S. state.
What is Arkansas?
Bass Reeves showed just how much integrity he had when he set out and served this warrant.
What is he arrested his son?
During his career, Reeves is credited with arresting more than this many outlaws.
What is 3,000?
Reeves' career as a lawman unfolded during this era when settlers moved westward and territories became states.
What is Westward Expansion?
Reeves' reputation for fairness and justice influenced countless portrayals of lawmen in this entertainment genre.
What is the Western?
Reeves' fluency in Native languages and his knowledge of the land made him invaluable in this role.
What is Deputy U.S. Marshal?
Bass Reeves once arrested his own son for this crime, showing his committment to justice above his family ties.
What is murder?
Despite arresting more than 3,000 outlaws, Bass Reeves is recorded as having killed only this many men in his career.
What is 14?
Bass Reeves served for over 30 years as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in this region, known for its lawlessness.
What is Indian Territory?
Reeves' life story has been celebrated in books, films, and TV shows, cementing him as this type of figure in American history.
What is a folk hero?
Despite speaking numerous Native American languages and having the uncanny ability to track outlaws, Bass Reeves was unable to do this basic skill.
What is read?
Reeves balanced his career with family responsibilities while living in this U.S. state.
What is Arkansas?
Remarkably, during his decades-long career as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, Bass Reeves never experienced this common danger of frontier lawmen.
What is a gunshot wound?
Reeves served as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Indian Territory, a region later divided into this U.S. state.
What is Oklahoma?
The Lone Ranger, believed to be inspired by Reeves, first appeared in this medium in 1933.
What is the radio?