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- Chattanooga Daily Times, Tennessee, Monday, 17 December 1945
Robert P. Bass, 76, Ex-Sheriff, Dies
Mayoor?s Brother Was head of Police Department
Robert P. Bass, 76, whose long career as a peace officer included experiences as the chief law enforcement officer of Hamilton County and as chief of both divisions in Chattanooga?s police department, died yesterday morning at 4:45 o?clock from a cerebral hemorrhage.
Mr. Bass had been in ill health for the past three years. He was stricken about a week ago at this Glenwood home and failed to rally.
Like his brothers, Mayor Ed Bass, Mr. Bass had spent most of his life in public service and a great portion of it was in the employe of the city of Chattanooga. He took two years out from his career as a peace officer of the city of Chattanooga to serve as sheriff of Hamilton County.
Native of Clayton, Ala.
A native of Clayton, Ala., Mr. Bass was born June 20, 1869, and was the son of James A. Bass and Ann Dill Bass. His father served in the Confederate Army. In 1873 the Bass family moved to Chattanooga. He was educated in the Chattanooga schools and early in life he learned the painting trade. He followed that trade until June, 1903, when he became a member of the Chattanooga police force. Eight years after he joined the force, Mr. Bass became chief of police. At that time his brother, the present mayor, was a member of the state senate and committed to the enactment of legislation abolishing the aldermanic form of government for the present commission form.
The Hamilton County senator kept his pledge and passed the legislation, despite the face his brother was serving as chief of police under the regime the commission bill was designed to remove from office. The new city charter of 1911 had the effect of sending Mr. Bass back to the ranks in the police force, but four years later, after the commission form of government got in operation, he became chief of detectives. The same commissioner, the late T.C. Betterton, who removed him as chief of police appointed him in 1915 as chief of detectives.
Won Sheriff Nomination
In 1918 Chief Bass won the Democratic nomination for sheriff of Hamilton County over the late W. H. Frazier and defeated the Republican nominee, Will Sears, in the general election.
Sheriff Bass did not seek re-election to the office in 1920. A general salary law, taking Tennessee county officials off of fees and placing them on a salary basis, was enacted during Sheriff Bass? administration and he decided that he did not desire the office without the fees. He retired to his North Georgia, farm after leaving the sheriff?s office, but eventually applied for reappointment in the detectives division of the police department. He served in the department for several years until he reached the point where he was eligible for retirement.
For the past five years his physical condition made it difficult for him to move around and he has spent most of his time at home at 852 Glenwood Drive. He and Mrs. Bass, who survives, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in September, 1941.
Besides his wife, Mr. Bass is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Opal Magnus; two sons, Robert G. and Roy M. Bass; a brother, Mayor Bass; sister, Mrs. May McMillan, all of Chattanooga; three grandchildren, Miss Virginia Eckerly of San Francisco, Cal.; and Misses Beverly and Bettye Bass of Chattanooga.
Funeral services will be held at 3 o?clock tomorrow afternoon at the chapel of the National Funeral Home with the Rev. Battle McLester officiating. Interment, Forest Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Herman Pursley, Chief of Police Homer D. Edmonson, former Sheriff Frank Burns, A.D. Baker, County, Councilman W.C. Smith, Pllice Capt. Charles Hartness. Members of the police and fire department will serve as honorary pallbearers.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1869 - 1945 (76 years)