Warning. This episode contains some language and descriptions of violence that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Listener discretion is advised.

On the morning of May 15th, 1895, the body of a man was found floating face down in a creek.

The body had been lodged among some rocks and dead branches in the shallow forward.

Two fingers had been shot off. The victims head had been nearly severed with an axe.

The arms and legs were cut and the torso was badly mangled.

The murderer or murderers had tried to burn the body. Then they tried to sink it in a shallow stream by piling on rocks and logs.

Finally, they placed leaves and brush on top of it in an attempt to hide it from view.

Later, officials estimated the body had been there for about 10 days.

It was in a horrible state of decomposition and stunk to high heaven. And that's what drew passers-by to it.

The people who discovered the body immediately sent a messenger to the Marshall's office in Muscogeo, Clahoma.

The deputy on duty that day was Bass Reaves. And it didn't take him long to figure out the awful events that led up to the man's demise.

Hey everyone, let me tell you about a history podcast that should be right up your alley.

It's called Short History of from our new partners at Noiser. It's a straightforward idea.

It tells the short history of things that I'm sure lots of you have wondered about. Go back in time and around the world to learn about things like the Rosetta Stone in ancient Egypt, the mysteries of Easter Island, the true identity of William Shakespeare and much more.

Next year, they're going to investigate the similar subject of the real life inspiration for the Mona Lisa.

There are stories of robberies, revolutions, ancient civilizations, historic events, famous and infamous people, and many more.

And if you subscribe to Noiser Plus in Apple Podcasts, you get exclusive bonus episodes on things like the Whiskey Rebellion and Vlad the Impaler, the True Life Inspiration for Dracula.

Find Short History of wherever you get your podcasts.

From Black Barrel Media, this is Legends of the Old West. I'm your host Chris Wimmer. And this is a four part series of some of the highlights of the career of one of the most respected lawmen in American history.

Bass Reaves. This is Episode 4. Honor Until Death.

By 1890, the land that used to be called Indian Territory looked a lot different than it did when Bass Reaves started working there 20 years earlier.

...