Unlike Hollywood's version, the old wild west
was not only settled by European Americans, it
was also settled by Native Americans,
African/Black Americans, Spanish/Mexican
Americans, Chinese/Asian Americans,and many
other ethic groups.
After the Civil War (1861-1865) during
reconstruction and before Oklahoma became a
state, and passed the "Jim Crow Laws". The
people who lived in the Indian Territories a.k.a.
The Badlands lived in an un-duplicated,
integrated social structure unlike anywhere else
in the America during this time.
People from all ethic groups lived in reasonable
harmony. Judge Iassc Parker a.k.a. Hanging
Judge Parker, stationed at Fort Smith, hired over
200 deputy marshals to patrol 74,000 square
miles which made up the Badlands. The
Marshals were white men only, but the Deputy
Marshals were not only white men, but
ex-slaves, free black Americans, Indians,
Mexicans, and yes even a few women. The
Native Americans also had their own police
forces on tribal lands called the Lighthorsemen.
FYI: Jim Crow Law was enacted between 1876
and 1965; and mandated racial segregation in
all public places/facilities it also outlawed
interracial marriages between Black/African
Americans and European Americans.
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Realm of Zehr
There are millions of other realms (worlds)
besides the world we all know; Realm of Zehr is
only one of them. It's a old west story featuring
11.5" fashion dolls and 1:6 scale action figures.
The Dolls who reside here live in and around
three towns, Plastic City, Dollton, and Port
Realm. Many characters are based on real
people who lived during the 1800's. Through
out the story you will see "Historical Facts" in
the margins which will give you a glimpse of
their real lives, old west terms and/or general
facts.
This is a story about the Zehr family who lived
during this time period.
So sit back, enjoy reading, and please come
back often, this site is always being updated.
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The Freedman's Bureau - was created after the Civil War. It was a U.S. Federal Government Agency operating
between 1865 to 1869. The Freedman's Bureau aided former slaves with food plus housing, oversight, education,
health care, and employment contracts with private landowners. It also help to reunite families separated by slavery
or the Civil War. - Ref. Page: C1-P1
Bass Reeves - (Black American - (1838 to 1910) - His mother was Paralee Stwart a slave, his father is unknown.
Bass Reeves was the most famous Black US Deputy Marshall of his time. He was also an ex-slave and his career
lasted for 32 years. He was born in Arkansas, and later sold to Col. George Reeves of Grayson County, Texas.
After the Civil War he was hired by Hanging Judge Parker. Bass was described as a man who was big, strong,
handy with firearms, ambitious, and held in respect by all who knew him. Bass also had a quick mind, he was
good-natured, and had a zest for life. Although he never learned to read, he would get other people to read his
warrants to him, over and over again until he memorised them and knew which warrant went with which criminal.
Bass Reeves also had two wifes, his first wife was Jennie and after her death he married Winnie Sumter. All
together Bass had eight children. (Although some accounts I have read states he only had one wife and 10
children).I only found the names of four of this children: Bennie, Robert, Harriet, and Sara. During his career Bass
ending up killing 14 men. At the end of his career, Bass Reeves hunted and arrested his son Bennie, after Bennie
caught his wife cheating oh him again - he lost his temper and killed her. - Ref. Page: C3-P3
(ref. "Back, Red, and Deadly; http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-bassreeves.html)
Back To Africa Movement - Returning to the Mother Land was know as the Back-to-Africa movement, or the
Colonization movement. This movement started in the United States after the civil war, and encouraged ex-slaves
to return to their African homelands. The country of Liberia in Africa started because of this movement - being
populated by ex-slaves from the United States and England. - Ref. Page: C4-P5
John Merrick - 1859-1919 - Was a very successful business man / entrepreneur, he started off as a bricklayer,
and went to owning real estate, banks, barber shops, etc. John Merrick was also one of the founders of the nation's
largest black-owned business; despise the fact that he and his mother started their lives as slaves, (his father is
unknown). John Merrick was counted as one of the most prominent and respected businessmen, of both races, in
Durham, NC. In 1898, along with -- Charles Clinton Spaulding (my ancestor), medical doctor Aaron McDuffie Moore,
John Merrick founded the first black-owned and -managed insurance company, North Carolina Mutual Life
Insurance Co. Where he served as President for over 20 years. In 1934 it was the nation's largest black-owned
business, and it is still one of the nation's oldest black-owned businesses today.
Ref Page: C7-P1
ttp://www.stoppingpoints.com/north-carolina/sights.cgi?marker=John+Merrick+1859-1919&city=Durham
ttp://www.theroot.com/multimedia/work-live-earn-multiplycentrepreneurshiv
Swing Station - a stop on the stage coach line, usually the home of a stock tender, where fresh horses or mules
were provided for freight wagons and/or stage coaches, no meals were available for passengers. Swing Stations
were usually 10 to 15 miles apart. (The Writers Guide to Everyday life in the 1800's).
