Bass Reeves

**Bass Reeves** is a character in the Paramount+ series, *Lawmen: Bass Reeves*, who is portrayed by David Oyelowo. Bass is a federal peace officer of the Indian Territory based in Fort Smith, Arkansas, who captured over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded.

## Biography

### Part I

Bass is a slave owned by George Reeves, who took Bass with him during the war. At Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 1862, George's army gets attacked by the Union's army. George then tries to inspire his men and tells Bass to follow him. Seeing some men shot for running away, Bass follows George and they manage to kill few men, before Esau Pierce joins them with his army and defeats the Union army. Later, Esau sees Bass and recalls seeing him on the battlefield, and tells him that Bass is a wolf like him.

As George receives dispensation from their general, George and Bass head back home to Grayson County, Texas. There George finds the house empty and tells Bass to tend the horses. After doing so, Bass goes to the small cabin on the side to visit his wife, Jennie, who is happy to see him back alive. After they have sex, George calls Bass and explains that he expected Bass to runaway before he can give him his freedom. Bass wonders what he means and George promises to give him his freedom if he beats him in poker. Bass gets a strong hand and cries as he reveals he has plain flush, but George reveals he has a stronger hand, four of a kind queens. However Bass had just played queen of hearts and calls George a cheater. Getting angry, Bass then beats George and takes his gun. He goes back to Jennie, who upon realizing what he has done, makes him promise that he will run away and won't come back. Bass takes a horse and runs away. He soon encounters three men, but as they don't believe his story, he shoots them. As men with dogs are after him, he leaves the horse and crosses the river. After days of walking, he is eventually found by Sara Jumper, a Seminole woman. Learning that he is a runaway, she agrees to let him live with her and her son Curtis Jumper if he helps with work.

Three years later, in May 1865, having learned the Creek language, Bass buys some supplies at Turkey Creek Trading Post with Curtis. Union soldiers show up and Bass helps them translate to buy what they want. As he helps them load it on their wagon, he sees that Esau is a prisoner and learns that the Union had won the war. Esau warns him to leave fast as things will become bad. However, before Bass can react, some men show up and start shooting at the soldiers. Esau escapes with the other prisoners, and they kill all the soldiers. Curtis then points a gun at Esau, but Bass tells him to not shoot. As Curtis gets distracted by Bass, Esau shoots and kills Curtis, then rides away. Later, Bass and Sara bury Curtis and she tells him that her loss can't be Bass' loss. She tells him to take their horse Pistol and leave.

Bass rides Pistol back to Grayson Country, Texas. He looks for Jennie, but her cabin is empty. Rachel Reeves enters the cabin and explains that she knew Bass would be back and that George isn't there as he is now into politics. Bass asks about Jennie's whereabouts and Rachel reveals that she is in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Bass heads there and finds her, but seeing that she has a child, Sally, he backs off without saying anything. While going on a walk with Sally, Jennie encounters Bass, who hopes that Jennie's new man treats her well. Jennie then explains that Bass is still her man and Sally is his daughter.

### Part II

Years later, in 1875, Bass lives with his pregnant wife and four kids in Van Buren, Arkansas. Bass burns his unsuccessful corn crop wondering if he'll ever be a farmer and then ploughs his field for new planting. Deputy U.S. Marshal Sherrill Lynn rides up and explains that he has a writ for One Charlie and wants Bass to be his posse man, as he heard he is good shooter and knows the territory. Initially Bass refuses, but Jennie convinces him to accept.

While heading for Charlie, they encounter a wagon that was recently attacked and Bass finds a dying preacher inside. Three men then attack them, but Bass kills two of them while Sherrill kills the third. Bass turns away as Sherrill rifles through the dead men's pockets and rides off. Bass stays and buries the preacher, meeting up later with Sherrill. Next day, they arrive at a house occupied by Nita, supposedly One Charlie's wife. Sherrill breaks in looking for Charlie, but Nita pointing a gun at him explains that he isn't there. Bass convinces her to lower the gun and tosses Sherrill out of the house so he can speak with Nita alone. She explains that she is Charlie's cousin and often gets in trouble as she end up paying his debt. She gives them the location of Charlie, who opens fire on them when they arrive. Charlie wounds Sherrill in the arm. Bass tries to convince Charlie to surrender, but Charlie refuses not believing that Sherrill will let him live. Sherrill then throws a molotov cocktail into Charlie's house. Charlie runs out burning, and Bass is forced to kill him out of mercy. That night, Bass is angry at Sherrill and punches him and heads back home, stopping at Nita's to tell her Charlie is dead. She is not surprised.

Unable to sleep, Jennie comes downstairs for water and hears a crying calf. She picks up a rifle and cautiously goes outside where she sees wolves feasting on a calf that is still alive. She fires into the air, scaring off the wolves, and then shoots the partiially eaten calf. When Bass returns home, Jennie reveals that she brought a piano, expecting Bass to have been paid. However, as Bass punched Sherrill and left, he didn't receive money, but tells her he will find a way to pay for it. The next day, Sherrill arrives with two other marshals and explains that he spoke with Judge Parker and he wants to make Bass a deputy U.S. Marshal.

### Part III

On May 10, 1875, **Bass** goes to Fort Smith's Courthouse to meet up Judge Parker. While waiting outside his office, a young man asks for help, explaining that he killed a person on accident. Bass is then called in. Judge Parker explains that he was encouraged to hire him due to his skin color, because Indians would listen to someone like him, however he called him because he needs a good man and shooter. The job is hard and those who manage to survive for long, end up like Sherrill, however Bass is sure that he won't become like Sherrill. Judge Parker then makes Bass swear to serve. Before leaving, Bass mentions that the boy outside needs help, but Judge Parker states that he needs a lawyer.

Bass receives his first job, capturing Billy Crow for connection with a stagecoach robbery. A moment later, Garrett Montgomery introduces himself and offers his service as a posse man, which Bass accepts. The two then head out to look for Billy. Bass tells Garrett that if all goes well, he will keep on hiring him.

Bass and Garrett reach Checotah in the Indian Territory. Garrett guess that the Underwood Gang is behind the stagecoach robbery, due to the female outlaw that robbed Andreas. Bass and Garrett then visit the local hotel, however seeing Garrett the barkeeper wants him out since he owns him a debt. Bass tells Garrett to wait outside and asks the barkeep if he knows something about Billy or Underwood Gang. The barkeep doesn't know about Billy, but points to the table with the men playing poker. Bass the joins the poker table. After a while, he ends up taking all of Big Al's money, who gets angry and reaches to his gun. Bass explains that he is willing to give him back his money if he shares some information. After getting information on where to find Billy Crow from Big Al, Bass takes Garrett and goes to a nearby stagecoach. Bass questions Billy, but Billy declines to be Billy Crow. Billy then tries to lie to Bass, telling him that he heard Billy Crow left earlier in a wagon, but Bass shows him his wanted poster, noting that he looks quite like him. Billy runs, but Bass captures him.

While heading back to Fort Smith, Billy complains that he is in a bad situation, since he can't give Judge Parker names otherwise Huff Underwood will kill him, and if he keeps quiet, he will rot in prison. They stop for the night. Billy and Garrett complain about the cold, but Bass explains that a fire will reveal their position. Garrett then tells a story about his good stove which he had to sell due to his debts. Billy reveals that he knows where Huff hid the money and jewellery. Garrett suggest that they take it and let Billy go. Bass is against it, but as Garrett insist, he reaches for his gun. Garrett believes that Bass intends to shoot him, but Bass reveals that there are men heading towards them, which then shoot and kill Garrett. In the shootout, Bass kills all men. Huff attempts to escape, but Bass chases and kills him too. In the morning, Bass takes Garrett's body and the men's boots and head back to Forth Smith with Billy.

In the courthouse, Bass takes Billy to the cells. On their way, he sees the young boy from the other day, Myson Davis, who seems beaten up. Billy is interested becoming like Bass and reveals the location of the money. Bass then goes to courtroom, where Judge Parker tells Myson that he understand what hunger can drive a person to do, however he still took a life and sentences him to be hanged by the neck until he is dead. A bit later, Bass visits Judge Parker in his office. He explains that they were ambushed to free Billy and Garrett died. Bass states that Billy isn't a bad person and that he told him where the stolen money is. Bass returns home and finds Jennie holding their new baby.

### Part IV

Two years have passed. Bass puts some rags and visits Widow Dolliver, pretending to be Joseph Gamble who seeks some warmth at her house. Dolliver lets him inside and soon her sons return. After some drinks at night, Darrell and Wylie end up fighting and Bass takes them to their room. The two men then wake up in the morning with handcuffs and Bass pointing a gun at them.

Bass heads back to Billy Crow, who now works with Bass and is guarding a wagon with other prisoners, and tells Billy to lock Darrell and Wylie with the rest. At night, while stay stop to eat and sleep, one of the prisoners, Ramsey, tells a scary tale of Mr. Sundown, a slave catcher who ate some people. Ramsey starts to sing, but Bass stops him. Later during the night, Ramsey frees himself and attacks Bass, however Bass manages to beat him. They see that Ramsey had killed one of the other prisoners and ate part of his face.

In the morning, Bass meets up with Minco, an Indian, who tells Bass that he saw Silas Cobb, a horse trader who deals with stolen horses. Minco also reveal that there is a big bounty for Bass and he should be careful. Bass thanks him and pays him, telling him to keep his eyes open. Later Bass visits a brothel, looking for Silas and leaves Billy outside. Bass speaks with the madame, who feels forced but reveals in which room is Silas. Bass then enters through the window busting Silas. Silas offers him a deal that if he lets him go, he will give him bigger criminal, Jim Webb. Bass accepts to not shoot Silas and to tell Judge Parker that Silas gave him information. The woman that was with Silas however wants a deal too and pulls out Silas gun and points it at Bass. That gives Silas a chance to escape, who jumps out of the window and gets on a horse. However as he runs, he ends up shot by Billy. Bass goes to get a doctor, but by the time he is back, Silas had died. Billy reveals that he helped him write a letter to his wife Grace in Jenks.

Bass takes the letter and heads to Jenks. He finds Grace, who figures that Silas is dead and probably died while being with a woman. Bass confirms and explains that he got his final words for her. As Grace is blind, she asks Bass to quickly read it to her as she heard that Mr. Sundown rides on nights like this. Bass puts the letter in his pocket and improvises thinking of his wife. After he leaves, he sees a man on the hill.

### Part V

Bass and Billy see a hanged man with a note, stating that Bass will follow the hanged man's fate. Following Silas Cobb's tip, Bass and Billy head to Baywater's General Store to capture Jim Webb. Bass attempts to sneak close, but Webb's en open fire on him. With Billy's help, they managed to kill Webb's men, however a bullet scratches Billy's neck. Bass leaves Billy and heads after Webb, persuading him to surrender, however as Webb refuses, Bass is eventually forced to shoot and kill him. Bass then returns to Billy and they collect the men's boots. Before leaving, Bass sees a chained dog and sets it free.

Bass returns with the captured outlaws to Fort Smith. He witness in the courtroom Judge Parker finding a man guilty of the murder of William Hicks. Bass then heads to get his payment, where he meet Ike, a former posse man and a current Deputy Marshal like Bass. Leaving the courthouse, Sherrill tells Bass that he needs to escort a prisoner, Jackson Cole, a horse thief, who killed a State Senate candidate in Texas, to the Red River, and turn him over to the Rangers. Bass refuses, since he haven't been home for 41 days and suggest that Sherrill take it, however Sherrill explains that this comes from Judge Parker, and that he has been relegated to paper work, although if Bass speaks with Judge Parker, Sherrill will love to do marshal work again. Having no choice, Bass accepts.

ass returns home to his family, where the young kids barely react to his return. Sally is excited about he Carnival during the weekend and shows Bass the dress she will be wearing. In the morning, Billy comes to pick Bass, who then reveals that he will be gone for a week. Annoyed that Bass won't be able to take her to the carnival, Sally leaves the room. Jennie is annoyed that Bass didn't say anything last night and states that the kids doesn't recognize him, due to him constantly being gone. Bass tries to explains its his job, however Jennie states that there are more important things than money.

Bass and Billy pick up Jackson and head to the Red River. On their way, Billy, several times makes fun of Jackson and his upcoming hanging, however Jackson doesn't regret what he has done. Annoyed by Billy, Bass tells Billy that he doesn't have the grit to be a marshal, although he believed he would have by now and apologizes if he didn't teach him something. Billy asks if Bass is giving up on him, however Bass denies it.

Jackson is fine being led to his death by someone with the same color as him. However Bass doesn't think they are alike, since he doesn't kill people with no regret. Jackson shares that he also served and was at Galveston when the emancipation papers where read, however he felt that nothing much will change and those were just words. A storm starts and as it gets dark, Bass sees a light and decide that they head towards it.

Bass and his group reach the house. The family doesn't speak English, however Billy knows Spanish and explains that they are seeking shelter from the storm. The family lets them in and gives them some food. The man then pours them some drinks, but as Billy sees some mushrooms in a jar, he signals Bass to stop drinking. The woman then states that she sees death and it follows Bass, which makes Billy think that she sees Jackson's death. After done eating, Bass starts to hear things and goes out, where he has a hallucination. Jackson comes out for a smoke and shares that once the war was over, they went to plantations throughout Texas, telling people that they are free. At Rockrose Plantation, James Neblett, the owner, said that his slaves had taken up arms and burned them all. The sheriff, the posse men, all were there, however no one checked if the slaves had weapons. Ten years later, Jackson is out of service and moves back to Texas. Neblett is running for state legislature and wants to pass laws to return things from before the war. As Jackson knows what evil things Neblett can do, he decided to kill him.

In the morning, Bass pays the family and they continue on their way. Reaching the Rangers, Bass is surprised to see Esau Pierce.

### Part VI

Bass accompanies Pierce to transfer the prisoner Jackson 'Jackrabbit' Cole. Bass hopes for a fair trial for Jackson, but Pierce suggests otherwise, implying that Jackson will receive what he "deserves." Despite his reluctance, Bass surrenders custody of Jackson and later visits Sara Jumper's place with Billy, only to find it vacant.

Bass, along with Billy, arrives in Checotah where Bass has a confrontation with Texas Ranger Braxton Sawyer in a bar. After a brawl, they join forces to apprehend a gang responsible for trouble in the town.

At the Reeves farm, tensions rise when Edwin discusses Black empowerment, suggesting that Bass could be a symbol for their cause. However, Bass questions the impact on native people, leading to a heated disagreement with Edwin. Bass apologizes for his absence to both Sally and Jennie.

Later, Bass discovers his paycheck is short and learns that Pierce killed Jackson Cole, or rather claimed he was dead upon arrival to the courthouse which Bass knows is not true. Disturbed, Bass realizes Pierce might be Mister Sundown, an enigmatic figure from Ramsey's story about a man making Black people disappear. This revelation prompts Bass to confront Ramsey to gather more information about Mister Sundown. Moment before Ramsey is hanged, he confirms to Bass that Mister Sundown is a Texas Ranger.

### Part VII

Bass gets taken into custody and escorted to jail. While incarcerated, his mind is consumed by thoughts of Esau Pierce and the malevolent deeds associated with him. A courtroom trial unfolds, and Judge Parker emphasizes that despite Bass's role as a lawman, his case is not exempt from scrutiny.

In a flashback preceding Bass's arrest, Judge Parker and his wife share a pleasant dinner at the Reeves' farm. Recognizing the need for a break, Judge Parker suggests lighter assignments for Bass. At work, Bass is introduced to Willy, a new recruit, by Billy, and despite embarking on a journey with them, he remains entangled in thoughts about Esau Pierce.

Bass and Billy pursue Moody O'Neil, who confesses to murder using a candleholder. Moody disappears the next day, released by Willy, who then berates Bass for his involvement in the execution of an elderly Black woman. Incensed, Willy insults Bass, leading to Bass shooting him.

At the Reeves' farm in the evening, they discover a burning effigy at the door, signaling potential danger. When Bass returns home, Jennie remains silent. Disturbed by thoughts of Esau Pierce, Bass heads to the barn and gets arrested for Willy's murder. In Judge Parker's office, a childhood story prompts Bass to reflect on expectations, questioning whether he is "gold or pyrite."

Bass further reflects on his life, recounting his father's Christmas visit and the lessons taught by William Reeves. Acknowledging the cost of justice, he prepares to face the consequences. In court, Judge Parker announces Bass's innocence.

Despite being fixated on Esau Pierce, Bass confides in Jennie about Curtis's tragic fate and expresses his determination to pursue the responsible party. The episode concludes with Bass, along with Billy and Sherrill Lynn, setting off into the sunset.

### Part VIII

Bass sets out with his fellow companions Billy and Sherrill to capture a man associated with Esau Pierce. After a confrontation in a city alley, where Sherrill's impulsive actions lead to the man being knocked out, they load him into a wagon. Seeking information on Pierce's whereabouts, they take the unconscious man to a remote house.

At the isolated location, Sherrill resorts to violence in an attempt to extract information, but it's only when Bass threatens the man with a pistol at close range that he reveals Pierce's location. Despite Sherrill's desire to scalp the man, Reeves instructs him to take the man's boots. Sherrill mocks the idea that the man won't survive, but against orders, he shoots the prisoner.

Later, Bass faces Texas Rangers at Esau's compound and negotiates with Pierce, demanding $50 for capturing a live outlaw. Pierce pays double, and Bass questions him about Mr. Sundown. Pierce invites him for dinner, unveiling Jackson Cole alive and restrained. Bass demands to know Pierce's scheme, leading to the revelation of Pierce's operation of capturing expendable outlaws, mostly Black, for their valuable bodies.

Forced into slavery by Pierce, Bass initiates a prearranged signal, prompting a surprise attack by Billy and Sherrill. In the ensuing chaos, Bass overpowers Pierce's guard with Cole's help. Engaging in a gunfight, Sherrill steps into a bear trap and decides to end his life. Bass tracks down and kills Pierce, then returns to Pierce's house, finding Sherrill dead and taking money from Pierce's coffers.

The next morning, Pierce's mansion burns as Bass leads Cole and other prisoners to freedom. Bass's resilience is evident throughout the text as he navigates dangerous situations, confronts adversaries, and ultimately triumphs in liberating himself and others from the clutches of Esau Pierce.

Bass returns home to his family.

## Personality

Bass is a responsible, accomplished, and moral man. He is loyal to his family but also to his job, which is a big part of his life.