U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves was the most feared lawman of the old West. Standing a muscular 6‘2“ tall, he was was relentless and absolutely formidable. Alive or on a stretcher, Reeves always got his man, no matter how long it took, or how arduous the task. No sensible outlaw messed with him. But some fools had to find out the hard way.
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To read uninterrupted:
https://open.substack.com/pub/400years/p/wyatt-earp-couldnt-be-a-patch-on?r=1pv9e3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true
Image: “Bass Reeves,” by James Loveless.
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In the 1870s and 1880s, the Oklahoma Indian Territory was arguably the most dangerous place in the United States, largely due to its unique legal and social circumstances. This region became a haven for outlaws and fugitives from across the country. The lack of a structured legal system and the jurisdictional complexities between federal, tribal, and state authorities created a situation where law enforcement was minimal and often ineffective.
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Image: Map of Oklahoma Indian territory, LOC.
The area was rife with violence, including feuds, land disputes, robberies, and other crimes. Outlaws found it relatively easy to hide within the territory's vast, rugged landscapes and among its diverse communities, which included not only Native Americans but also settlers, cowboys, and escaped slaves.
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Image: Choctaw Lighthorse Policemen, circa 1885.
The “Five Civilized Tribes” (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole) governed parts of this region, but their authority was limited in dealing with non-tribal members, leading to a sort of legal no-man’s-land.
This lawlessness attracted a variety of criminal elements and made the territory a perilous place for its inhabitants.
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Image: Fort Smith, Arkansas: U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves And His Dog
@Deglassco I started watching the Bass Reeves TV show recently, fascinating portrayal of a time and place that's not well represented. The other Taylor Sheridan shows (proceeding through 1923 after 1883) also show a dark side to America's myths.
