All That She Wants - Face of Bass

Perhaps one of the best mustaches to ever bring justice to America, the Legend of Bass Reeves is greatly unheard of. Although his mouthbrow puts most others to shame, he was much more badass than simply another furry face.

Bass Reeves was born into slavery in Arkansas, 1838. He was enslaved until the 1860s and during the Civil War was forced to accompany his enslaver to fight for the Confederacy. At some point he gained freedom from his owner, but the story of how he gained freedom is uncertain. Some accounts claim he severely beat his enslaver over a card game. Whatever happened, Bass Reeves ended up fleeing into Native territory. This allowed for him to learn the languages and customs of the Cherokee, Creeks, and Seminoles. The 13th Amendment was passed in 1865, abolishing slavery, and in turn, declared Bass Reeves a free man.

In 1875 when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Native territory, he made James F. Fagan U.S. Marshal and ordered him to recruit nearly 200 deputy marshals. Fagan had heard about Reeves and figured that, with his experience in the war, language skills and knowledge of Native lands, he would make for a good deputy. In the United States, Bass Reeves was the first black deputy to serve west of the Mississippi River. He went on to have a 32 year career as a deputy.

Bass Reeves was a skilled marksman with his rifle and revolver, and he acquired detective skills that he continuously improved with every arrest. He brought in some of the most dangerous criminals of the time, with a career total of over 3,000 arrests. Reeves was also faced with the challenge of arresting his son, who was found guilty of murdering his own wife.

Perhaps the high point of of the 'stached lawman's career was when he was able to bring justice to Bob Dozier, a "jack-of-all-trades" criminal in 1878. Dozier was wanted for many counts of thievery and murder and was very evasive towards law enforcement. Dozier learned that Bass Reeves was pursuing him and informed the police that he would kill Reeves if he continued to follow. This did not deter Bass Reeves, as he moved forward with his hunt into the Cherokee lands of modern day Oklahoma. One night in late December a storm came through the area, and Dozier shot at Reeves from the darkness.

Reeves dove for cover, and then Dozier began to laugh, thinking he had killed his pursuer. However, the bullet only took off the deputy's hat. Reeves stood up and shot Bob Dozier in the neck, killing him instantly.

In another occasion, Bass Reeves had his belt shot off, but he never was wounded in the line of duty. He killed a total of 14 outlaws in self-defense, and he was the inspiration for the character of the Lone Ranger.

His name and legacy continues to prove as impressive as his voluptuous mustache. With NHBO's newest #WhiskeryHistory blend, "The Mustache of Justice," you too could inspire people with stories of your excellence.

Overcome adversity, and look fly while doing it. Lubricate Like Nate.

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Burton, Art T. “Bass Reeves (1838–1910).” Encyclopedia of Arkansas, 19 Mar. 2019, encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/bass-reeves-1747.

DeArment, Robert K. Man-Hunters of the Old West, Volume 2, University of Oklahoma Press, 2018.

Morgan, Thad. “Was the Real Lone Ranger a Black Man?” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 1 Feb. 2018, www.history.com/news/bass-reeves-real-lone-ranger-a-black-man.

Weiser-Alexander, Kathy. “Bob Dozier - Killed at the Hands of Bass Reeves.” Legends of America, Dec. 2020, www.legendsofamerica.com/bob-dozier-oklahoma-outlaw.