. The Crime and the First Catch The feud began when Jim Webb murdered a neighbor, a preacher named William Steward, over a simple ranch fire that had spread onto Webb's property. Bass Reeves, known for his masterful disguises, didn't ride in with badges flashing. Instead, he and a posseman arrived at Webb’s ranch dressed as common trail-driving cowboys. After being invited in for breakfast, Reeves waited for the perfect moment to spring his trap. Despite a frantic shootout that left Webb's sidekick dead, Reeves successfully arrested Webb and delivered him to the "Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker in Fort Worth. The Great Duel at 500 Yards Webb didn't stay behind bars for long. He secured a $17,000 bond and immediately skipped out, retreating to the rugged terrain of the Chickasaw Nation. Reeves, relentless as ever, tracked him to
Webb has always been obsessed with the lonely figures on the edge of society. His heroes are the "Wichita Lineman" (a utility worker) and the "Highwayman" (a ghost). Bass Reeves fits perfectly into that gallery: the lone man riding into the dark, armed with grit and a warrant. jim webb bass reeves
The rivalry is featured in the Paramount+ series Lawmen: Bass Reeves . While the show depicts the killing of Webb, it alters some historical details for narrative pace. Instead, he and a posseman arrived at Webb’s
After Webb jumped bail a year later, Reeves tracked him to Bywaters Store. This second encounter ended in a dramatic gunfight where Reeves shot Webb from nearly a quarter-mile away with a Winchester rifle. The Great Duel at 500 Yards Webb didn't
Before we dive into the song, let’s set the stage. Born into slavery in 1838, Bass Reeves escaped to Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma) during the Civil War. He lived among the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole nations, learning the land and languages that would later define his career.