The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-08
Magistrate of the Texas LIanos.

Adyices have reached Austin of the de-
feat Of Roy Bean for reelection as JUS
tice Of the peace at Langtry, Tex, says
a letter in the ST. Louis Globe Democrat
Mr.. Bean is one of the most noted char
acters in Texas. He has served as jus
tice of the peace for the past quarter of
a century in that wild and rough part
of West Texas, Of which Langtry is the
little business center. The decisions and
opinions of Justice Bean have made him
famous throughout the country. He kept
a little saloon until a few months ago,
when the building was burned down
The destruction of this noted drinking
resort was the real cause of Mr.. Beams
recent defeat for reelection. In former
years he was wont to dispense liquid re-
freshments to the Mexicans of that Sec
ton with a royal hberality just prior to
election day, and, as a result of his hos
pitality, his majority was always large.
This time he had a strong opponent, and
was at the disadvantage of not having a
saloon adjunct.
One of Mr.. Beans most noted verdicts
was rendered a few years ago, at the time
the Pecos high bridge of the Southern
Pacific Railroad was in process of con-
struction. This bridge was located near
Langtry, and is in Mr. Beams judicial
one day and was killed The body was
left lying on the ground where it had
fallen, and Mr. Bean was sent for to
hold the inquest. The first thing he did
upon reaching the pace was to search
the body. He found in one pocket a six
shooter, and in another a roll of green
backs amounting to $40 Mr. Bean care
fully counted the money, and then for
mally announced that court was in ses-
C IL I.4aa 41.@I a.
man $40 for carrying concealed weapons.
He placed the money in his pocket and
went back to his saloon.
Mr.. Beans court room and saloon were
one and the same place. This combina ton
served him to good purpose on a number of
occasions. If, after selling a frequenter of
the resort too much bad liquor the revel-
Ter became boisterous, Mr.. Bean would de-
clare court 10 be in sess on, and proceed 10
fine the unruly man or men to the full
limit of their wealth. He always collected
all fines on the spot even if the circum-
stances required the display of his ready
siX-shooter.
1t is reliably related that few years age
the through passenger train for California
stopped at che little station at Langtry
and a young tourist from the East got off
and walked into Mr.. Beans saloon and
asked for a bottle of beer. The beer was
set before the man, and the latter laid
a 500 gold piece upon the rough board bar
Mr.. Bean carelessly swept the coin into
the till, and turned his attention TO some
thing e, e. The stranger drank his beer
and then looked for his change. None
was there. He asked MIR. Bean to give
him his change.
See here, Young Teller. any man thai
amt got no morse sense than to offer a S2t
gold piece in payment for a bottle of beel
don't get no change from me" replied Mr.
! Bean coolly.
The stranger began to rant and rave ovel
the prospective loss of his money. Mr.
Bean let him alone until he became toe
boisterous, and then jumped upon the bar
and said:
"Tll give you to understand that this /:
a court of justice; court is now in session
and l fine you $l9 for contempt of tn:
honorable court You have paid your fine
sab, and can now go-that bottle of beel
cost you 81"
The tourist was paralyzed with fear a
this action, aud backed out of the door anC
caught his train for California.