Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-24
Che Story Tellsr.
A TEXAS JUSTICE.
Stories of Roy Bean, the Fam
GUS Frontier Judge.

| 1eXaS Is JuuSe my DSoH' eiiS PioPAA
etor of the little saloon, THE Jersey
Lily" at this place. He is now round
ing out a long life, but is still active
land as attentive to his business duties
that demand his attention as in his
Younger days. AS Texas Ranger
and scout he has been identified with
the most interesting song and story
of border chivalry. The story Of his
eventful life would read like a border
romance from beginning to end. For
several years he has been the justice
of the peace for this precinct, and
some of the decisions which he has
rendered are the most remarkable on
record. His precinct formerly en-
braced a territory equal in size to the
whole state of Illinois, but since the
division of the original county into
two other counties the size Of the pre-
cinct has been considerably reduced.
Roy, as he is universally called, was
born on the Pike road, twenty five
miles from Louisville, KY. He came
west when only II years Of age,
and after few years of exciting ex-
periences fighting Indians he went to
Mexico to try his fortune. He secur-
ed a position clerking in a store in
the city of Chihuahua. He had been
there a few months when a Mexican
attempted to steal some articles from
the store. Roy promptly shot the
miscreant, infiicting a fatal wound. At
that time there was an intense feel
ing of hatred against Americans in
Chihuahua, and the killing caused so
much excitement among the Mexicans
that Roy left town in a hurried man
ner.
| He next turned up in California as
the proprietor of saloon in corner
Of the San Gabriel Mission, nine miles
from Los Angeles. Roy admits that
this place was one Of the toughest re-
sorts on the Pacific Coast along in the
sos, and he relates many interesting
incidents that took place there. He
gave the "Globe-Democrat" CORES
pondent the following account of a
little affair that occurred at his place
one fourth of July during the great
gold excitement in California.
Fully 5000 people had gathered
around in the old mission to amuse
themselves in various ways. The list
of amusements included horse race,
monte games and cock fights. 1t was
oh 10 hn nf
crowd being Americans, all desperate
fellows, who cared nothing for killing
a man. While the celebration was at
its height a smooth-faced young man,
of exceedingly polite and graceful
demeanor, rode up, dismounted and
entered the saloon kept by Roy. The
newcomer leaned against the bar and
carelessly surveyed the scene. While
quietly looking on he was roughly ac-
costed by a ruffianly-looking man,
who, taking position directly in front
of the young man, and surveying him
from head to foot said with a con-
temptible grin:
well, whar in hell did you come
from?"
| ZIP" replied the young man, in a
pleasant voice, why, I just arrived
from Los Angeles.
You weren't raised thar, war ye?"
asked the bully.
mo; I came from New York"
| II jest don't know whar New York
is; 1 reckon it's way up north some
whar, whar you prizes the sun up with
a hand-spike."
1.-The sun never sets in New York."
was the response.
The quiet demeanor Of the young
man enraged the bully, and he be-
came still more overbearing, declar-
ing himself to be the wild Wolf Of
Arkansaw."
| II was the bloodiest man in the
Cherokee nation" said he. Il am a
long to the Ridge party, and I've kill
ed more Ross men than any dozen
men in the party. killed three Mexi-
cans on my way out here; 1 killed a
soldier at Fort Yuma, and have been
here three weeks and amt killed any
body yet. I'm going to give these
Mexicans a chance to have a funeral,
and if you open your mouth I'll kill
you"
Please, sir, don't bury me alive" !"
said the young man, ironically.
BE keerful, stranger, I shoot, cut
and kill, I do"
Roy was watching the proceedings
from behind the bar. His sympathies
were all with the young man, and,
quietly slipping up to him, he placed
small derringer in his hand. The
young man turned his hand so as to
! secrete the weapon, and when the
bully again continued his insulting re-
marks and threats he coolly looked at
him and said:
You are not dangerous. and 1 don't
think you will hurt me-"
This caused the storm to break
forth, and the bully jumped up, and,
cracking his heels together, cried out
to the crowd.
| Cit out of the way I'm going to
shoot"
A general rush was made for the
doors, and as the desperate reached
to draw his pistol the young man
with a quick movement placed the
barrel of the derringer, which he had
been holding in his hand, against the
breast of the bully and said, in a firm
tone:
My dear sir, hold up your hands,
or will kill you"
The bully found that he had met
his master, and mechanically obeyed
the command.
"Now," said the young man, "un-
buckle that belt and let your six
shooter fall" which command was
obeyed without a murmur.
Now, take a position at that corner
of the room," continued the young
fellow, pointing to the place indicated.
The coward bully obeyed, and the
young man picked up the six-shooter,
Z HI u