Texan saloon-keeper and Justice of the Peace in Val Verde County (1825-1903) who called himself 'The Law West of the Pecos' and held court in his saloon, The Jersey Lilly, along the Rio Grande on a desolate stretch of the Chihuahuan Desert of southwest Texas. Scarce partly-printed DS, filled out and signed three times by Bean, one page, 8.5 x 7, September 23, 1889. Class four State of Texas arrest warrant, No. 1643, issued for Royal B. Trent who is "charged with an as[sa]ult with intent to kill by Firing Two Shots at Wm. Case." Filled out and signed at the conclusion by Bean, who also fills out the reverse and signs his name an additional two times as justice of the peace, in part: "Came to hand 23rd day of Sept, A. D. 189, and executed on the 27 day if Sept A. D. 189, by A. J. Forrest by bringing Mr. Trent into Court." In fine condition. Beginning in 1882, Bean served as both the local barkeep and Justice of the Peace in the town of Langtry, interpreting the law by his own methods and settling all cases with fines, the majority of which he kept. During his tenure, Bean sentenced only two men to hang (one escaped) and horse thieves were released if the animals were returned unharmed. Although Bean lost reelection of his post in 1896, he continued to try all cases north of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. Only the second Bean-signed document we have offered.
