#lone ranger

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Bass Reeves (1838 –1910) was a runaway slave, gunfighter, farmer, scout, tracker, and deputy U.S. Marshal. He spoke several languages including Cherokee and Creek. Bass was one of the first African-American deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi River mostly working in the rough Indian Territory. The region was saturated with horse thieves, cattle rustlers, gunslingers, bandits, swindlers, and murderers. Bass made more than 3,000 arrests in his lifetime, only killing fourteen men in the line of duty.

Bass was born into slavery in Crawford County, Arkansas. His family were slaves belonging to Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. During the American Civil War, his owners fought for the Confederacy. At some point, Bass escaped and fled to Indian country where he learned American Indian languages, customs, and tracking skills. He eventually became a farmer. By 1875, Bass was hired as a deputy U.S. Marshal along with 200 other individuals. He was 37 years old. Bass was well acquainted with the Indian territory and served on their land for over 32 years as a peace officer covering over 75,000 square miles, presently known as Oklahoma.

Reeves (left) with a group of Marshals in 1907

Bass encountered some of the most ruthless outlaws of his day. His weapons of choice were the Winchester Models 1873 and 1892. They were guns that conveniently fit dual-purpose handgun/rifle cartridges. He also briefly used the Colt 45 peacemaker. He tracked and killed notorious outlaw Jim Webb. Webb murdered over eleven people. Another notorious desperado Bass encountered was murderer and horse thief Wiley Bear. Bass rounded him up along with his gang which included John Simmons and Sam Lasly. Bass was also in a gunfight with the Creek desperado Frank Buck whom he shot and killed.

Bass was immortalized in the popular media including TV shows, films, novels, poems, and books. He was also inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame. A bronze statue of Reeves was erected in Pendergraft Park in Fort Smith, Arkansas and the Bass Reeves Memorial Bridge in Oklahoma, was named after the legendary lawman.

Bass Reeves is held by many to be the original Lone Ranger. He worked for 32 years as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, and became one of Judge Parker's most valued deputies. Reeves brought in some of the most dangerous criminals of the time, but was never wounded, despite having his hat and belt shot off on separate occasions.

Statue dedicated to Bass Reeves in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Bass Reeves - "Double Fist" by Gabe Leonard

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Aurora model kits (1970s)

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CBS Brand New Saturday Morning (1981)

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The Lone Ranger by Francesco Francavilla

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Lone Ranger and Tonto

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Horse figure of the day: Marx Lone Ranger "Scout"

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"Mask" Inktober 52

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The classic heroes of yesteryear by Kevin Maguire.

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BASS REEVES. 1838-1910. U.S. Deputy Marshall.

Reeves was born into slavery then had a fight with his slave owner and ran and lived with the Cherokee and Creek people learning many native languages.

He became a free man under the 13th Amendment and later enlisted in Law Enforcement. He became the first African U.S. Deputy Marshall west of the Mississippi with full authority over the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

During his 32 years in office he personally went on to arrest over 3,000 dangerous criminals, shooting 14 in the process of arrest.

He was and STILL is the most prolific Law Enforcement Officer ever in the U.S.A.

He carried a Winchester Rifle and two Cal. 45 Colts and rode a snow white horse. Quite a few experts believe that he was the inspiration for ' The Lone Ranger' stories.

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The episode where they switched shows...

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Lone Ranger Gumball Card

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The Comic Art Of Alex Maleev

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Vintage Comic - El Llanero Solitario #114 (Mexican)