Roy Bean was Born in Kentucky. He became a trader in Mexico and was mining in New Mexico when the War of Northern Aggression commenced. Bean joined an Organized irregular company in Texas, named the "Free Roamers", under the Command of Gen. John R. Baylor during the 1861-1862-New Mexico Campaign and took part in capture of 800 Federals by 250 Confederates. After 1862 was a Confederate teamster, hauling cotton to Matamoros from San Antonio and bringing into Texas wartime goods.

By 1882, Bean was in West Texas, along the Rio Grande and was while cooperating with the Texas Rangers, was appointed justice of peace - "Law West of the Pecos". He founded the town of Langtry, named after Lily Langtry, the British actress, where he spent rest of his life. Bean became infamous with his unique court decisions, such as fining a dead man for carrying a concealed weapon. He staged the Fitzsimmons-Maher world championship boxing match, on a sand bar in the middle of the Rio Grande River after the U.S. and Mexico governments banned the match.

He held court in his saloon, where he displayed pictures of "The Jersey Lily"--British actress Lily Langtry, whom he never met.