Bass Reeves Dead
Unique Character
Man of the “Old Days” Gone
Deputy Marshal Thirty-Two Years
January 13, 1910—Muskogee Phoenix--Bass Reeves is dead. He passed away yesterday afternoon about 3 o’clock and in a short time news of his death had reached the Federal court house where the announcement was received in the various offices with comments of regret and where it was recalled to the officers and clerks many incidents in the early days of the United States court here in which the old Negro deputy featured heroically.
Bass Reeves had completed 32 years service as a deputy marshal when, with the coming of Statehood at the age of 69 he gave up his position. For about 2 years then he served on the Muskogee police force, which position he gave up about a year ago on account of sickness, from which he never fully recovered. Bright’s disease and a complication of ailments together with old age were the cause of his death. The deceased is survived by his wife and several children, only one of whom, a daughter, Mrs. Alice Spahn, lives in Muskogee. His mother, who is 87, lives at Van Buren, Arkansas, where a sister of his is also living.
The funeral will be held at noon Friday from the Reeves’ home at 816 North Howard Street. Arrangements for the funeral had not been completed last evening.
( a several paragraph long description of his career follows)
Bass Reeves
January 15, 1920—Muskogee Phoenix--Bass Reeves, Negro, was buried yesterday and the funeral was attended by a large number of white people—men who in the early days knew the old deputy Marshal and admired him as a faithful officer and respected him as an honest man...Bass is dead. He was buried with high honors, and his name will be recorded in the archives of the court as a faithful servant of the law and a brave officer. And it was fitting that such recognition was bestowed on this man. It is fitting that, black or white, our people have the manhood to recognize character and faithfulness to duty. And it is lamentable that we as white people must go to this poor, simple old Negro to learn a lesson in courage, honesty and faithfulness to official duty.
Submitted by Michael Tower