Roy Bean

Roy Bean (c. 1825 – March 16, 1903), born Phantly Roy Bean Jr., was an American saloon-keeper, justice of the peace, and self-proclaimed "Law West of the Pecos." He is best known for his eccentric brand of justice and his colorful persona.

Bean operated a saloon and makeshift courtroom in a desolate stretch of the Texas desert, initially in a tent town called Vinegaroon near the Pecos River during the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad. He later moved to the town of Langtry, Texas, which was named after a railroad foreman.

As justice of the peace, Bean dispensed his own unique form of law, often relying on his personal interpretation of the statutes and his own sense of fairness (or lack thereof). His rulings were often influenced by his personal interests and prejudices. Despite his dubious legal practices, he became a legendary figure in the American West.

Bean's saloon, named "The Jersey Lilly" after the English actress Lillie Langtry, served as a social hub, courtroom, and general store. He was known for his colorful pronouncements and his unconventional methods of enforcing the law. While stories of his life have been embellished over time, he remains a symbol of the Wild West's lawlessness and frontier justice. He often bragged about never having a law book, relying instead on his own "common sense."

He died in Langtry, Texas in 1903.