Bass Reeves River Valley Marshal Riders help raise money for Reeves statue

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean
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The Saturday (Oct. 2) weather was perfect for horseback riding as the Bass Reeves River Valley Marshal Riders Trail Ride traveled north from downtown Fort Smith along the Arkansas riverfront.

About 40 horseback riders came out to support the Bass Reeves Legacy Initiative. The Bass Reeves Legacy Initiative’s goal is to raise $300,000 to build a 25-foot tall statue of Reeves to be placed in the Ross Pendergraft Park.

The Bass Reeves Legacy Initiative formally launched Sept. 9 its “$100,000 in 100 days” campaign to raise money to fund a large statue of the legendary U.S. Marshal.

The effort has raised more than $100,000 toward the $300,000 goal to fund construction and maintenance of a large statue of Reeves in Pendergraft Park. The schedule for placing the statue, of which Harold Holden has been commissioned to create, was May 2011. However, the Initiative has said the dedication is now set for September 2011 to be part of the 50th anniversary of the Fort Smith National Historic Site.

Reeves began his career as a deputy U.S. Marshal during the term of U.S. District Judge Isaac Parker. Reeves served as a U.S. Marshal between 1875 and 1910.

The horseback riders enjoyed riding along a bike trail that went along the Arkansas River. Riders rode approximately 10 miles. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Bass Reeves Legacy Initiative. As riders arrived back to their beginning destination, there were welcomed by the smell of grilled hamburgers and sides.

While the riders were enjoying an evening of music, they were “robbed” by the outlaws of the Lawbreakers and Peacemakers. The Peacemakers were waiting outside as the robbers tried to escape with the loot. Bass Reeves — portrayed by Baridi Nkokheli, director of the Fort Smith Department of Sanitation — and other sheriff’s men stopped the robbers and a shootout pursued.

All but two outlaws were gunned down in the streets of Fort Smith. The crowd applauded the sheriffs and all was good at the Riverfront Pavilion and a dance to celebrate ensued.