Bass Reeves and The Lone Ranger: Debunking the Myth

by Martin Grams Jr.

For almost a decade there circulates a myth that falsely suggested an African-American U.S. Deputy Marshal named Bass Reeves was the inspiration for the fictional character of The Lone Ranger. Triggered by recent folklore and influenced by racial bias, the myth spread across the internet like wildfire. While the real life of Bass Reeves deserves to be better-known, it is unfortunate that this fanciful "Lone Ranger" theory is what has brought him additional attention. A book published a decade ago caused unnecessary confusion by falsely suggesting Reeves was the inspiration of the fictional Lone Ranger. (i.e. Reeves rode a white horse as one flimsy connection.) This book documents the origin of The Lone Ranger through historical archives from across the country, with scanned reprints of the most important of documents, proving that three individuals, living in two different states, were responsible for the formation of The Lone Ranger, and proof that the Masked Man was intentionally patterned off of Robin Hood and Tom Mix, debunking the myth that one person deliberately created a children's program in the local Detroit area in 1933 on a historical figure that had never been referenced in books or magazines until the late 1950s. For people who insist Bass Reeves was the inspiration, and have no archival documents to back up their facts, this book provides a superb opportunity to understand why historians across the country have been debating for so long -- Bass Reeves was never the inspiration for The Lone Ranger.

26 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2018

About the author

Martin Grams is an author and old-time radio enthusiast whose more than twenty books on the subject have qualified him as an expert. He is generous and helpful to his fans and colleagues and his name can often be found in the credits of books dedicated to radio and early television.

While he is one of the younger fans of old-time radio, Martin does not like to talk about his youth, as it proved a hindrance to him when he tried to get his first book published. Determined, Grams decided to self-publish his book about Suspense and has done so several times subsequently.

In addition to writing and researching, Martin and his wife Michelle run the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

Reviews

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An MG Western Anthology About BAss Reeves (BRATLR - DTM)

(MG) has penned a comparison. of Bass Reeves and the Lone Ranger. I am an avid reader of the history of the American west for numerous reasons. First is the Trail of Tears. The Dawson Clan if the Cherokee Tribe made the move. Unwillingly, but they did. The Indian Territory was quiet until after the Civil War. Then the migration west caused modification to all Indian Treaties. The only whites who entered Indian Territory of Arkansas and Oklahoma were outlaws. Some of the most famous outlaws in the history of the west. Judge Isaac Parker appointed Bass Reeves to the position of US Marshal. To compare Bass Reeves to the Lone Ranger is an absolute farce. If Bass Reeves had worn a mask as the Lone Ranger he would have been laughed out of the territory. Bass Reeves had been a slave, then an escapee, then a man of the west not to be reckoned with. His bounty hunting expertise was outstanding. Not only did he capture outlaws with bounties he brought them in alive. After his appointment with the Marshals Service he captured over 3000 wanted men for serious crimes. To make a comparison between a real person and a fictional literary person denigrates the service of an exceptional Black man who served his country as a Deputy US Marshal. Incidentally, if you check the records I do believe the US Marshals Service has numerous that concern Bass Reeves, the epitome of the American lawman.....DEHS

[Patricia K. Reeves]

I don't agree with Martin Grams

[Jonathan Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting as far as it goes, but this is basically a long essay not a book. Besides appendices, etc., only about 17 pages. Just understand what you’re getting.