Law West Of The Pecos, tales of Judge Roy Bean. (original) (raw)

�Law West Of The Pecos�

The Moulton Eagle � March 21, 1924 You will look in vain for Eagle�s Nest on the map of Texas today, for the town of Langtry (named for Lillie Langtry of theatrical renown) has taken its place. But in the old days of 40 years ago Eagle�s Nest was famed for just one thing � a saloon. On the front of this building was a sign which read �Judge Roy Bean, Justice of the Peace, Law West of the Pecos.�

For this �red eye� emporium was also the temple of justice for a domain of thousands of square miles, and over it ruled Roy Bean, a king in his own right, whose scepter was a Colt .45-caliber pistol. He was the only justice of the peace in western Texas and he was equipped only with a copy of the Ohio statutes of ancient vintage, a sense of fair play and a strong belief in his ability to interpret the law as it should be, whether it was written that way or not.

He was judge, jury and lord high executioner and there was no appeal from his decisions.

Once two Mexican couples came to him and announced that they wanted to trade life partners. The judge questioned them closely, found them all of the same mind, charged each of the men $15 and a dozen bottles of beer and pronounced the job done. Some time later a state official complained to Bean that in granting this unconventional divorce he had exceeded his authority.

�Why, say!� exclaimed His Honor indignantly. �Have I ever butted into your affairs? They wanted to swap, they paid me, they�re livin� perfectly happy and nobody �round here has found fault. You just go back to Austin and handle your courts the way you want, but this is out of your jurisdiction.�

Judge Bean�s �Law West of the Pecos� was uniformly profitable for him. One day an eastern tourist entered his saloon and ordered a bottle of beer. He laid down a $20 gold piece which Bean promptly pocketed.

The tenderfoot demanded his change and upon being denied it started an argument. �Court�s in session,� announced the judge immediately. �That beer cost you 50 cents and you�re fined $19.50 for disturbing the peace!�

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Murray Montgomery
Lone Star Diary October 11, 2010 Column
See Langtry, Texas