[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12371]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BASS REEVES

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to an 
American hero, Arkansas native Bass Reeves, one of the first African-
American U.S. Deputy Marshals west of the Mississippi River. He was one 
of the most respected lawmen who served the U.S. District Court for the 
Western District of Arkansas, which had criminal jurisdiction in the 
Indian Territory, the present State of Oklahoma. He captured more than 
3,000 fugitives in his legendary career. Many scholars consider Bass 
Reeves to be one of the greatest frontier heroes in U.S. history.
  Born into slavery in 1838 in Crawford County, AR, and then moved to 
Texas, Bass fled to Indian Territory during the Civil War and lived 
with the Seminole and Muscogee (Creek) Indians. Following emancipation, 
he settled near Van Buren, AR, to raise horses and start a family. He 
and his wife Nellie Jennie had 10 children: 5 boys and 5 girls.
  In 1875, Isaac Parker was appointed U.S. district judge for the 
Western District of Arkansas, and Bass was recruited to serve as a 
Deputy U.S. Marshal. He stood 6'2", weighed 180 pounds, and could shoot 
a pistol or rifle accurately with either hand. He was known for his 
toughness, intelligence, and detective skills, even though he could 
neither read nor write.
  He arrested some of the most dangerous criminals of the time, 
repeatedly demonstrating honor and integrity. He had to stand trial 
himself and was imprisoned for 5 months on a false accusation of 
murder. Following acquittal, he returned to tracking down and arresting 
criminals.
  Bass served the Federal courts in the Indian Territory for 32 years, 
from 1875 until 1907 when Oklahoma became a State. At age 68, he became 
a member of the Muskogee, OK, police department and served until his 
death from Brights disease on January 12, 1910.
  Mr. President, I recognize Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves as a real 
American hero.

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