Bass Reeves: A Detailed Account of His Life and Times

Article Overview

"Lawmen: Bass Reeves" chronicles the life of the legendary U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, who was born a slave and known for making over 3000 arrests in his 35-year career.

The series explores Reeves' life and professional journey from 1862 to 1877. It delves into his enslavement, daring escape, and eventual integration into the Seminole Nation. Maintaining historical accuracy, the show vividly showcases Reeves' experiences in Texas, Arkansas, and the Indigenous Territory (Oklahoma). Capturing his linguistic assimilation and resourcefulness as a lawman, it stands apart from the "Yellowstone" universe.

The highly-anticipated Paramount+ series Lawmen: Bass Reeves made its debut on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Executive produced by renowned actor David Oyelowo and Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, this gripping series delves into the captivating journey of Bass Reeves, a remarkable historical figure who was born into slavery before rising to become an esteemed United States Marshall. Legend has it that Reeves was not only one of the first black lawmen in the West of the Mississippi River but also achieved an astounding record of over 3000 arrests during his impressive 35-year career in law enforcement.

In the debut episode of Lawmen: Bass Reeves, the full 57 minutes were dedicated to capturing the origin story of this extraordinary figure. It began with Reeves' forced involvement in the Confederate Army during the tumultuous Civil War. Born into slavery in Crawford County, Arkansas in 1838, Reeves was initially the property of William Steele Reeves – a prominent state legislator at the time. However, when Bass was just eight years old, William relocated to Grayson County, Texas, passing ownership of Reeves to his son, George R. Reeves, portrayed by the talented Shea Whigham in Lawmen: Bass Reeves.

Bass Reeves' Story Starts In 1862 And Ends In 1877

Reeves, who lived until 1910 and served as an Old West lawman until he turned 70, will have his life and career depicted in the Paramount+ series. However, the series will only cover his time as a lawman until 1877. The showrunner of Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Chad Feehan, clarified that the series is not a spinoff of Yellowstone and provided insight into the miniseries' timeline. It remains uncertain whether there will be a second season. It is somewhat peculiar that the series focuses on Reeves' life and career from 1862 to 1877, as the renowned lawman wasn't officially appointed as a U.S. Marshal until 1875. This leaves many potential storylines of Bass Reeves' life after 1877 unexplored.

Reeves, a former slave under George Reeves, was able to escape after his owner cheated him out of his opportunity for freedom, as depicted in the first episode of Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Remarkably, Bass managed to flee Texas and assimilate into the Seminole Nation, residing in present-day Oklahoma and possibly Kansas. He learned of his emancipation at the conclusion of the Civil War in 1865, reuniting with his lover Jennie and discovering that he fathered a daughter named Sally. This would be the first of his total eleven children.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves Takes Place In Texas, Arkansas, & Oklahoma

Lawmen: Bass Reeves faithfully represents the historical accounts of the renowned lawmen of the Old West by showcasing the actual territories where Bass Reeves operated during the 1860s and a significant portion of the 1870s. Throughout most of his career as a lawman, Reeves primarily operated within the Indigenous Territory (Oklahoma), an area where he spent the majority of his time. This phase of his career began after Judge Isaac Parker, portrayed by Donald Sutherland in the Paramount+ series, was appointed as the federal judge of the region in 1875. Prior to embarking on a path in law enforcement, Reeves worked as a farmer in Arkansas, where he reunited with his wife Jennie and enjoyed a peaceful and tranquil life with their children.

During his time in the Indigenous Territory, Reeves fluently learned multiple Indigenous languages. This linguistic expertise proved invaluable in his law enforcement career and played a crucial role in his initial hiring by Judge Parker. From 1875 to 1893, Reeves served as a Deputy in the Indigenous Territory and Western Arkansas before being reassigned to patrol East Texas, a region situated just south of the Indigenous Territory. Lawmen: Bass Reeves does not cover the period when the legendary lawman served in East Texas, but it does portray the Grayson County region before the abolition of slavery.

Bass Reeves' Timeline Avoids Any Crossover With Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone Universe

The supposed Yellowstone spinoff, which could have potentially crossed over with the Yellowstone universe, has been confirmed to not exist. Interestingly, Bass Reeves, a character in the spinoff, didn't move to Texas until 1893, making it unlikely for him to be in the region during the events of the Yellowstone prequel 1883. This means that a narrative crossover between the two series would not align with historical accounts. To maintain the true story of Bass Reeves in Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Sheridan, Oyelowo, and creator Chad Feehan decided that it was best for the integrity of each series to keep them separate.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the release of "Lawmen: Bass Reeves." The series sheds light on an important historical figure who deserves to be celebrated for his bravery and determination. Bass Reeves' story is one of resilience and triumph, and it is an inspiration to us all.

I appreciate that the series is historically accurate and does not shy away from the harsh realities of Reeves' life. It is important to remember the struggles that African Americans faced during the 19th century, and how they were able to overcome them. Reeves' story is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

I am also impressed by the performances of the cast. David Oyelowo is excellent as Bass Reeves, and he brings the character to life with his charisma and gravitas. The supporting cast is also strong, and they all contribute to the overall success of the series.

Overall, I highly recommend "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" to anyone who is interested in history or who simply enjoys a good story. It is a well-made and entertaining series that is sure to leave a lasting impression.