Ep 4. Bass Reeves - The Real Lone Ranger
- TV-PG
- August 9, 2015
- 44 min
-
8.5 (23)
Bass Reeves - The Real Lone Ranger is the fourth episode of the second season of Gunslingers. The episode explores the life of Bass Reeves, the first black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. Reeves is considered one of the most successful lawmen of the Wild West, with an estimated arrest count of over 3,000 criminals.
The episode begins by delving into Reeves' early life as a slave in Arkansas. Reeves was owned by George Reeves, a wealthy landowner and state legislator. While Reeves was a slave, he learned how to ride, hunt, and shoot, skills that proved invaluable in his later career as a lawman.
Following the end of the Civil War, Reeves fled to Indian Territory, where he became a fugitive. However, his knowledge of the land and his expert hunting and tracking skills made him an ideal candidate for a deputy U.S. Marshal. Reeves was offered the position by Isaac C. Parker, the "Hanging Judge" of the Western District of Arkansas, who was responsible for bringing law and order to Indian Territory.
As a deputy U.S. Marshal, Reeves was tasked with apprehending some of the most dangerous outlaws of the Wild West, including the notorious Indian Territory gang leader Belle Starr. Reeves was known for his skill with a gun, his bravery in the face of danger, and his ability to outsmart his opponents.
The episode also explores the challenges Reeves faced as a black lawman in a time of rampant racism and discrimination. Reeves had to overcome not only the dangers posed by outlaws but also the prejudice of many of his fellow lawmen. However, his success as a lawman eventually earned him respect and admiration, and he became something of a legend in his own time.
Bass Reeves - The Real Lone Ranger is a fascinating and inspiring look at the life of one of the most remarkable lawmen of the Wild West. The episode combines expert historical research with dramatic reenactments and insightful commentary from experts in law enforcement and the history of the American West. Anyone with an interest in the history of the Wild West, law enforcement, or African American history will find this episode compelling and informative.