BASS REEVES

Bass Reeves was one of the most successful deputy marshals of the Wild West.  He was born into slavery and fled to Indian Territory during the Civil War where he remained until the Emancipation Proclamation.  He then became a successful rancher and started a family.  In 1875, he was appointed a U.S. Deputy Marshal at Fort Smith, Arkansas and charged with the tough task of searching for outlaws in Indian Territory.  Reeves knew the land well, spoke several tribal languages, and was an excellent marksman.  The courageous tales of his captures are legendary.  He bravely served over 35 years and brought in more than 3,000 outlaws.