Because his master didnt want to teach him to read, but he would teach him how to shoot, which is counterproductive in my opinion. The legend of bass reeves the legend of bass reeves audiobook, by gary paulsen. The legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen and dion graham. Bass reeves july 1838 january 12, 1910 was an american law enforcement. Its unfortunate that information on this legendary character is limited. But of all the sheriffs of the frontier, one man stands out as a true hero. He rounded up hundreds of outlaws and was shot at countless times but was never hit. Marshal bass reeves was arguably the greatest lawman and gunfighter of the west, a man who served as a marshal for 32 years in the most dangerous district in the country, captured 3,000 felons, once bringing in 17 men at one time, and shot 14 men in the line of duty, all without ever being shot himself. And unlike the famous hero of radio, tv and film, reeves wore no mask. This book would most likely fit into the western adventure genre. In the years after the civil war, the greatest lawman to operate in the untamed wilderness frontiers was us deputy marshal bass reeves. Bass reeves was the first african american commissioned to serve as a deputy marshal west of the mississippi river. The second book in the bass reeves trilogy western adventure series the bass reeves western trilogy 2 by fred staff and robert hanlon 4.
Reeves, bass the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and. The legend of bass reeves audiobook by gary paulsen. Listen to legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen at. Owned by a man named william reeves, a farmer and politician, bass took the surname of his owner, like other slaves of the time. Bass reeves 18381910 was an african american sheriff in arkansas, who brought in hundreds of convicts. You nemesis is a freed former africanamerican slave. Black gun, silver star goodreads meet your next favorite book. During his long career, he was credited with arresting more than 3,000 felons. Many heroic lawmen of the wild west, familiar to us through television and film, were actually violent scoundrels and outlaws themselves. He was a dogged tracker with a reputation for getting his man. The legend of bass reeves audiobook by gary paulsen audible. Bass reeves july 1838 january 12, 1910 was an american law enforcement officer. Reeves, first as a water boy, then as a field hand. Shamefully because of the color of his skin, bass reeves exploits were purposely left out of the history books.
He worked mostly in arkansas and the oklahoma territory. Aug 08, 2017 bass reeves, wearing his iconic push broom mustache. An exslave, reeves took on the silver badge because he believed all men to be equal in the eyes of the law, and so he. Listen to legend of bass reeves, the being the true and fictional account of the most valiant marshal in the west by gary paulsen available from rakuten kobo.
The legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen, paperback. Ship this item qualifies for free shipping buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but this item may be available. Maybe the law aint perfect, but its the only one we got, and without it we got nuthin bass reeves. The life and legend of frontier marshal bass reeves race and ethnicity in the american west burton, art t. Also, because it alters between fiction and nonfiction throughout the story and a large part ok the story is about his childhood, which was a very interesting childhood.
Bass reeves frontier marshal audiobook volume 3 radio archives. But the biggest thing about bass reeves was his character. Legend of bass reeves, the audiobook by gary paulsen. The legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen is a fantastic book that kept me turning the page. A finalist for the 2007 spur award, sponsored by the western writers of america, black gun, silver star tells bass reeves.
In his day, bass reeves was the most successful federal marshal in the united states. The life and legend of frontier marshal bass reeves race and ethnicity in the american west. I became interested in bass reeves after reading a childrens book called bad news for outlaws. Here, in this second volume of an ongoing series, the deputy marshal finds himself teaming up with a spitfire of a shedevil known as quickshot katy, chasing down desperate train robbers, protecting an army gold shipment and defending a vicious killer against. Jun 26, 2016 there have been many rangers in the wild west however, not to many as tactful, willful and lucky as bass reeves. A drama based on the life of bass reeves, the first africanamerican united states deputy marshal. Bass reeves worked a total of thirtytwo years as a deputy u. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Bass reeves, wearing his iconic push broom mustache. The reason why bass reeves is worth noting on wmd centers on two things. Then, when the civil war broke out, reeves went into battle with his. Reeves according to research is the only deputy on record who started working for parkers court in 1875 and worked up to statehood in 1907.
First, there are those, such as martin grams, the writer of two stories in the reeves series on wmd, that believe the allegation of a forgotten reeves with reference to the lone ranger is misguided and simply wrong. Start a free 30day trial today and get your first audiobook free. Marshal bass reeves appears as one of eight notable oklahomans, the most feared u. Reports regarding reevess activities and whereabouts. The legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen goodreads. Jul 20, 2019 the reason why bass reeves is worth noting on wmd centers on two things. In 2010 the book received the coretta scott king author award. When bass reeves died on january 12, 1910, the muskogee phoenix wrote of the legendary lawman, in the history of the early days of eastern oklahoma the name of bass reeves has a place in the front rank among those who cleansed out the old indian territory of outlaws and desperadoes. He in the first chapter belittle all the great names of the old west as a variety of scoundrels and village idiots all of them being caucasian americans. The legend of bass reeves by gary paulsen, paperback barnes. Bass worked as a water boy in the cotton fields of the reeves farm and. Bass reeves, overlooked american hero, gets hollywood closeup. I have to say that compared to this book, that childrens book was so much more interesting. Cowboy stories and movies about the wild west are full of amazing characters.
Bass reeves, the first black federal lawman commissioned west of the mississippi, had fled texas as a fugitive slave during the civil war. Tales of the talented tenth, volume one tells the story of bass reeves, an escaped slave who became one of the most successful lawman of the old west. It can be viewed by scanning a qr code that is near the statue on garrison avenue in fort smith, ar. As promised, this is the remarkable, true story of a man born in slavery in 1838, who flees to the west and is hired by a u. The legend of bass reeves audiobook, by gary paulsen. Deputy marshal west of the mississippi river and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our nations history. Gregory christieboth coretta scott king award honoreesbring this fascinating historical figure to life in bad news for outlaws. Throughout the book are records of arrests, court testimony, census and tax records and newspaper articles detailing the life and arrests made by bass reeves and other deputy us marshalls.
Fagan primarlily due to his ability to speak several native american languages and his familiarity with native american territories. Gary paulsens dramatic account of the life of bass reeves, through stories both real and imagined, makes him come alive as a boy and a man. Reeves, bass the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and culture. Bass reeves 1838 1910 1911addicts the premiere 1911. Dec 30, 2008 bass reeves was a black man, born into slavery. There are many cases where bass made a simple arrest, without incident, that are highlighted in excruciating detail. No story of the conflict of governments officers with those. Instead, as the first black deputy us marshal west of the mississippi, he fought to clear the arkansas and oklahoma territories of criminals during the late 19th century. How watchmens bass reeves cameo ties into the original comic. Bass reeves, the first black deputy us marshal to ride for justice west of the mississippi river. But what we do know is that the real bass reeves was a legendary lawman who was feared by outlaws. Most people who know his name would be aware that he was born a slave and became a respected law officer mostly in the area that became oklahoma, long before it became a state. House, santiago villalobos, craig rainey, wesley blake.
This lavishly produced volume large format and hardcover is a wondrous celebration of the instrument, including its origins and history, and the weird and wonderful shapes it has taken. That reeves was also an african american who had spent his early life as a slave in arkansas and texas makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable. Among all the lawmen of the frontier, one man stands out a. Among all the lawmen of the frontier, one man stands out as a true hero. Being a retired deputy sheriff of over 30 years i found some of the testimony and suspect statements very interesting. True to the mythical code of the west, he never drew his gun first. He lived a terrifically actionpacked life, arresting over 3,000 people and often being described as the reallife lone. He was born as a slave, but then escaped his abusive master. Then in his book with 30% of it a sheer fantasy he tries to explain how bass reeves became one of the greatest lawmen in the west. Students will examine the life of bass reeves and the historical context of his life. Bass reeves is the first african american to serve as deputy u. Deputy marshall bass reeves was born in july of 1838 in paris, texas and.
Bass reeves frontier marshal, volume 1 audiobook by gary. Bass reeves escaped numerous assassination attempts on his life, he was the most feared deputy u. Bass reeves frontier marshal audiobooks listen to the. The book is also about all his ups and down, and the life of a slave on the run. Despite speculation that he inspired the creation of the lone ranger, few people know the epic story of bass reeves. Bass reeves, american lawman who was one of the first deputy u. Reeves was born into slavery in 1838 in crawford county, arkansas on. That such attribution has occurred isnt so surprising, for reeves was as persistent and clever as john reid when it came to hunting and capturing bad guys.
Bass reeves was big, tall, and strong, wore a bushy mustache, and rode a powerful horse. Amazon best books of the month, november 2009 tales of the wild west dont get any better than the life and times of bass reeves, the first africanamerican deputy u. Bass reeves was a groundbreaking lawman in the west. Bass reeves was born a slave in 1838 in crawford county, arkansas. Reeves passed away, his son, george, made bass reeves his personal companion and servant. Volume i chronicles his life from winning shooting matches in early childhood to traveling with his master, living with native americans in indian territory, and finally becoming a u. Vaunda micheaux nelson wrote a biography of reeves called bad news for outlaws. Deputy marshal bass reeves was the real deal, so much so that some have called him albeit erroneously the inspiration for the lone ranger. Yet many of the lawmen we think of as heroes were anything but some were violent scoundrels and outlaws themselves. Parker, when the hanging judge first took the bench in fort smith, arkansas.
Bass reeves was a slave, and his master taught him how to shoot. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Bass reeves simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Nelson relays the extraordinary story of bass reeves, a lawman in the old west who escaped slavery to become one of the most successful u. Born a slave in arkansas, reeves grew up in grayson county, texas, following the relocation of his owner, william s. Jun 14, 2012 this video highlight bass reeves, us marshall.
The legend of bass reeves audiobook gary paulsen audible. The legend of bass reeves audiobook listen instantly. Its a good book because bass is a unique character to read about. While we were being taught about the white lawmen of the times such as wyatt earp and wild bill hickock, prejudicial teachers did their best to bury the stories of the. Listen to legend of bass reeves audiobook by gary paulsen. He was tall at 62, expert shooter with either hand.
He reportedly killed 14 fugitives in the line of duty. Bass reeves finally gets his hollywood moment in hbos. The greatest lawman you never heard of, states airship 27 productions managing editor ron fortier. The legend of bass reeves is the fictional life story of an african american slave right after the civil war. The american old west was a fertile cauldron for myth. Listeners will truly understand why he became a legend. Born a slave in paris, texas and owned by george reeves, bass reeves grew up illiterate and remained illiterate for his entire life. He was one of the first african americans to work in law enforcement west of the mississippi river. He settled in indian territory and in 1875 was hired to ride for judge issac c. Written by gary paulsen, audiobook narrated by dion graham. Deputy marshal west of the mississippi river and one of the greatest frontier heroes in our nations history owned by a man named william reeves, a farmer and politician. The life and legend of frontier marshal bass reeves.
The remarkable life of bass reeves by vaunda micheaux nelson copies of the western words offered in the back of the book for students to use newspapers with examples of obituaries objectives. And though the laws of his country enslaved him and his mother, when he became a free man he served the law, with such courage and honor that he became a legend. As a young enslaved man in the 1840s, bass hit his owner. In all the annals of frontier history, there was no lawman as skilled. Bass reeves was a real historical figure, the first black u. Bass reeves, born 1838, crawford county, arkansas, u. Heres a brief little story on the real lone ranger. Kc3 contest, middle school divisionreturning year no writer could invent a more amazing, western frontier character than bass reeves.
Strange fruit shares uncelebrated, quintessentially. The american old west was a fertile cauldron for myth and legend, producing such fantastical figures as paul. Born to slave parents in 1838 in crawford county, arkansas, bass reeves would become the first black u. Reeves and was a prominent politician in the region as well as a farmer. Deputy marshal bass reeves the inspiration for the lone ranger. Listen to legend of bass reeves, the being the true and fictional account of the most valiant marshal in the west by gary paulsen available from rakuten. See more ideas about american history, history and old west photos.