Did Bass Reeves inspire the Lone Ranger?

The truth might surprise you

The short answer is no, the Lone Ranger was almost certainly not based on Bass Reeves. Be that as it may, there are a few similarities.

For instance, it was protocol for deputies like Bass to be accompanied by at least one posseman while out in the field. As such, Reeves often utilized Native American scouts, à la Tonto from the Lone Ranger.

Then there’s the fact that Bass often donned disguises and worked undercover; a possible wink and nod to the Lone Ranger’s mask and anonymity.

Reeves was also known to purchase supplies with silver dollars, akin to the silver bullets the Lone Ranger would use as calling cards.

Finally, many of the men whom Reeves arrested would be sent to the Detroit House of Corrections. And it was in Detroit – in 1933 – that the Lone Ranger made its radio debut.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto from 2013’s The Lone Ranger

Does all that sound like a stretch? Yes, absolutely. I think many of these examples are tenuous at best. Reeves was certainly not the only lawman to employ Native American scouts, nor was he the first to work in disguise. Also, silver dollars were a common currency of the time.

Furthermore, correspondence between the original Lone Ranger creators makes no mention of Bass Reeves. In all actuality, they based the character off Hollywood cowboy actor Tom Mix, with a few healthy doses of Robinhood and Zorro.

So why the hell does everyone claim Bass Reeves inspired the Lone Ranger? Well, you can partially thank author Art T. Burton for this one. Mostly, though, it’s the media doing what they do best and never letting the truth get in the way of a good story.

Art Burton’s name will be familiar to listeners of The Wild West Extravaganza as I’ve personally leaned heavily on two of his books for research – Cherokee Bill: Black Cowboy, Indian Outlaw, and Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves.

These works are detailed, refreshing, well-researched, and historically accurate. Make no mistake about it, Mr. Burton has contributed greatly to Old West history and I have no doubt that he’ll continue to do so.

That said, there is a chapter in Black Gun, Silver Star in which Mr. Burton puts forth his Lone Ranger theory. But that’s all it is – a theory. He never states that Bass Reeves was 100% the inspiration for the Lone Ranger, nor does he claim to prove this. Burton just simply poses a hypothesis and lays out a few intriguing examples.

Apparently, everyone else just ran with the theory as if it were gospel and here we are today.

For what it’s worth, there are some that find the comparisons to the Lone Ranger insulting. These detractors assert that Bass Reeves can stand alone as a real historical figure and doesn’t need to be compared to a fictional character.

On one hand, I’m inclined to agree but at the same time, I also don’t think it’s that serious. Truth is, we often use fictional characters and events to understand history. And sometimes even really bad fiction will serve as a stepping stone to real discovery.

Or, as Art Burton put it — “If the Lone Ranger analogy will help people understand who Bass is and what he did and make his name connect somehow, I don’t think that’s a bad thing”.

Bass Reeves, 1907

While Bass Reeves most likely did not inspire the fictional Lone Ranger, what’s not up for debate is that Reeves was himself a larger-than-life figure.

If you’d like to learn more, check out the most recent episode from The Wild West Extravaganza — Bass Reeves | Lawman (Part 1). Part 2 coming next week.

Odds and Ends

I made a trip to Palo Duro Canyon recently and it was amazing. Photos do not do it justice. If you’ve never been, it’s well worth the trip.

Palo Duro Canyon

While on my travels I also visited the grave of Charles Goodnight. It’s out in the middle of nowhere and the bandanas are still there. On the return trip, I stopped at the Pease River battleground, where Goodnight and the Texas Rangers “rescued” Cynthia Ann Parker.

I also went to the fake Billy the Kid museum in Hico, Texas! To learn more about that, you’ll have to listen to next week’s episode.

Till then, Adios!