ArizonaRealCountry.com 15 October 2018 fire, Hughes would claim on his deathbed that he was positive he was the character’s inspiration. For years Hughes’ deathbed confession was the most credible narrative until further evidence was discovered that U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves may also have been the real inspiration. Bass would use disguises much like the Lone Ranger to catch dangerous culprits. He also rode a white horse and, instead of handing out silver bullets, he would hand out silver coins; for a while, Bass even traveled with an Indian companion. So why didn’t Bass Reeves’ name come up earlier in ranger discussions? The one thing I didn’t mention, but many of you already knew, is that Reeves was the only black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi. A character fully based on Reeves wouldn’t fly with the discrimination of the early 1930’s.To this day the debate between fans goes on as to whether the ranger was patterned after Hughes, Reeves; or neither of them. The identity crisis was made even more complicated in 1938 when Republic Pictures released the 15 chapter serial, “The Lone Ranger.” Republic’s contract with Trendle gave them free reign with the storyline and the characters, what hit the theaters was very different than what the narrative had been on radio and print; it was more of a “who done it,” out west. Because the character was still somewhat in its infancy, Republic completely did away with any Reid family members; for that matter, Butch Cavendish isn’t even the bad guy leading to the Rangers’ massacre. By Charlie LeSueur Charlie LeSueur, AZ’s Official Western Film Historian. Encore Fellow @ Western Spirit, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. 480.358.5178, azfilmhistorian@gmail.com, silverscreencowboyz.com The gimmick of this serial was that four of the ranger’s friends disguised themselves as the ranger to confuse the gang lead by a man called Colonel Jeffries. As each pseudo-ranger is killed off during this chapter play it’s finally narrowed down to whom the Lone Ranger actually is? One by one the bogus rangers meet their end until it’s revealed to the bad guys and the theater patrons that the real Lone Ranger of this story is none other than…? To be continued. “In Search of the Real Lone Ranger” continues in the November issue. “John Wayne, An Unlikely Star” resumes in December. RELAXING HOME FOR RENT 3 BEDROOM / 2 BATH 1500 SQ FT / SLEEPS 8 3 NIGHT MINIMUM Full-Time, Local, Horse Property Specialist 472 E. Wickenburg Way, Ste. 102 Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Susan Abare, Real Estate Consultant Direct: 928-713-7472 Abarewickenburghomes.com Fax: 623-243-1295 Email: sabare@awardrealty.com In Search Of The Real LONE RANGER Of all the masked heroes, The Lone Ranger just might be the most enigmatic. Was he based on a real person or simply a creation invented by the property’s owner, George W. Trendle and writer Fran Striker; furthermore, just what was the ranger’s complete name? We know that the Lone Ranger’s last name must be Reid because we’re told that his ranger brother is Dan Reid; we even learn that Dan has a son he leaves behind after his death named Dan Reid, Jr. But the full name of the “Masked Man” remained a mystery. For many years it was said that the creators might have had Zorro in mind when they put the character to paper. Eventually, attention turned to a Texas Ranger Captain, named John R. Hughes. He had already been immortalized as the basis of Zane Grey’s book “Lone Star Ranger,” which was dedicated to Captain Hughes as well. To further add fuel to the Novel by Fran Striker Circus personal appearance of Lee Powell Title card for serials first chapter