Judge Roy Bean

Judge Roy Bean was born in Kentucky. When the War of Northern Aggression commenced, he became spy, teamster and a scout. Bean joined the Confederate Army under command of Gen. John R. Baylor during the 1861-1862 Arizona-New Mexico Campaign. He was in an Organized irregular company called "Free Rovers" and took part in the capture of 800 Federals by 250 Confederates. After 1862 was a Confederate freighter, hauling cotton to Matamoros from San Antonio and bringing into Texas much needed wartime goods.

In 1882, he set up in the West Texas town of Langtry and cooperating with the Texas Rangers, he was appointed justice of peace and become known as the "Law West of the Pecos". Bean celebrated fame in unusual court decisions, as in fining of a dead man for carrying a concealed weapon. He is also known for staging the World Championship boxing match between Fitzsimmons and Mayer in 1896 on a sand bar in the Middle of the Rio Grande River as the U.S. and Mexican governments banned the exhibition.

Court was held in the saloon, where he displayed pictures of "The Jersey Lily"--British actress Lily Langtry, whom he never met.