Was an African American cop the real Lone Ranger?

By Sheena McKenzie, CNN

Updated 1841 GMT (0241 HKT) August 6, 2013

The Lone Ranger is one of the most iconic figures in Wild West folklore, and his story has been rebooted by Disney this year in a film starring Johnny Depp as American Indian tracker Tonto (left) and Armie Hammer as the title hero (right).
Photos: Unmasking the real Lone Ranger
New age ranger – The Lone Ranger is one of the most iconic figures in Wild West folklore, and his story has been rebooted by Disney this year in a film starring Johnny Depp as American Indian tracker Tonto (left) and Armie Hammer as the title hero (right).
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One of the most famous Lone Rangers was actor Clayton Moore, who appeared in the TV series throughout the 1950s. Reeves is certainly not the first Wild West lawman credited as the inspiration behind the fictional character. A 1915 book, "The Lone Star Ranger," was dedicated to real-life Texan Ranger John R. Hughes.
Photos: Unmasking the real Lone Ranger
Moor to the eye – One of the most famous Lone Rangers was actor Clayton Moore, who appeared in the TV series throughout the 1950s. Reeves is certainly not the first Wild West lawman credited as the inspiration behind the fictional character. A 1915 book, "The Lone Star Ranger," was dedicated to real-life Texan Ranger John R. Hughes.
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The Lone Ranger character spawned novels, comic books, a TV series and films around the world. Here Moore visits London's Buckingham Palace in costume as part of an appearance on BBC radio and TV in 1958.
Photos: Unmasking the real Lone Ranger
Wild West to the world – The Lone Ranger character spawned novels, comic books, a TV series and films around the world. Here Moore visits London's Buckingham Palace in costume as part of an appearance on BBC radio and TV in 1958.
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However, one historian believes that this 19th-century Deputy U.S. Marshal, an Arkansas slave named Bass Reeves, was the real-life inspiration for the Lone Ranger. In his book on Reeves, Art Burton points to similarities such as their gray horses, penchant for disguises, use of American Indian trackers, and unusual calling cards.
Photos: Unmasking the real Lone Ranger
The real Lone Ranger? – However, one historian believes that this 19th-century Deputy U.S. Marshal, an Arkansas slave named Bass Reeves, was the real-life inspiration for the Lone Ranger. In his book on Reeves, Art Burton points to similarities such as their gray horses, penchant for disguises, use of American Indian trackers, and unusual calling cards.
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The Lone Ranger remains a legendary character in the American consciousness -- strong, moral, and mysterious -- as portrayed in this 1919 film, "The Lone Star Ranger." As Burton says, Bass Reeves was "a combination of the Lone Ranger, Sherlock Holmes and Superman," due to his cowboy skills, detective mind and almost mythical super strength.