Benjamin Bass Reeves

Benjamin Bass Reeves was usually called Bennie or Ben. He was working in a restaurant, when he married a Creek beauty named Castella Brown on Nov. 20, 1900 in Muskogee, I.T. Apparently, at the time, he killed his wife Castella for an alleged infidelity, he was a barber for the railroad. After his release from Leavenworth Prison in 1914, he worked at Melton's Cafe in Muskogee. On June 21, 1917, Ben married Fleccia of Keokuk, Iowa in Muskogee and they lived at 304 1/2 South 2nd St. Ben was still at Melton's on the 1921 Muskogee directory.

A Muskogee attorney Pliny Twine said that he didn't recall Bennie ever having children.

"Notice" Bass Reeves had six documented boys and five documented girls with his first wife that can be found in the 1870, 1890 and 1900 U.S. Census. Over the years, people apparently outside of the Bass Reeves Family have added others through confusion, misinformation and little documentation on findagrave (now removed) and other genealogy websites.

Bio by previous owner. V
V In 1902, Benjamin "Bennie" Reeves was arrested by his father, Bass Reeves for the domestic murder in Muskogee of his wife. Bennie was convicted and sent to the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. (There is some contraversy about this fact.)

Reeves' dedication to the responsibilities of his badge can be given that the one involving the pursuit and capture of his own son. Shortly after the turn of the century, while working out of Muskogee, Bass learned that his son, Benjamin, was wanted for murder. Marshal Leo Bennett had decided to give the warrant to another deputy. The young Reeves, in a jealous rage, had killed his wife, and Bennett, out of respect and sympathy for Bass, thought it best that another officer handle the job. Bass however, was adamant. He told Bennett that it was his job to bring his son to justice. Reluctantly, Bennett gave Bass the warrant. The young Reeves and his wife had quarreled over her unfaithfulness. In a violent rage he had beaten her to death. He then fled into Indian Territory. About two weeks after receiving the warrant. Bass returned with his son in custody. Benjamin was tried and sentenced to life in prison at Leavenworth. Kansas.

Maintained by: Sloan Rodgers Originally Created by: Vickie Mitchell Added: 12 Sep 2011 Find a Grave Memorial 76418569 Source citation