Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves, a former slave, overcomes racism and adversity to become a respected and feared lawman in the Wild West. His story is one of courage, perseverance, and the pursuit of justice. Coretta Scott King Author Award recognizes his significant contributions to literature. Sitting tall in the saddle, with a wide-brimmed black hat and twin Colt pistols on his belt, Bass Reeves seemed bigger than life. Outlaws feared him. As a deputy U.S. Marshal and former slave who escaped to freedom in the Indian Territories, Bass was cunning and fearless. When a lawbreaker heard Bass Reeves had his warrant, he knew it was the end of the trail, because Bass always got his man, dead or alive. He achieved all this in spite of whites who didn't like the notion of a black lawman. For three decades, Bass was the most feared and respected lawman in the territories. He made more than 3,000 arrests, and though he was a crack shot and a quick draw, he only killed fourteen men in the line of duty. 'Bad News for Outlaws' reveals the story of a remarkable African American hero of the Old West.