Roy Bean

Date of Birth: June 10, 1825

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: March 16, 1903

Biography

Roy Bean, born Phantly Roy Bean Jr., was an eccentric American saloon-keeper and Justice of the Peace in Val Verde County, Texas, who styled himself as “The Law West of the Pecos.” Born in Mason County, Kentucky, Bean moved to Texas around 1847 and engaged in various enterprises, including running a saloon and serving in the militia during the Mexican-American War. In the 1880s, he established a saloon in Langtry, Texas, named after the British actress Lillie Langtry, whom he admired. Bean became notorious for his unconventional and often humorous rulings, which were delivered from his saloon, dubbed the “Jersey Lilly.”

5 Interesting Facts about Roy Bean

1. Roy Bean named his saloon and courtroom the “Jersey Lilly” after his idol, the British actress Lillie Langtry, though he never met her.

2. Despite his reputation as a hanging judge, there is no record that Roy Bean ever sentenced anyone to hang.

3. Bean’s rulings were based more on his own sense of justice and pragmatic considerations than on the law.

4. Roy Bean once fined a dead man $40 for carrying a concealed weapon, using the money to pay for the man’s burial.

5. Bean’s legend grew to the extent that he became a character in American folklore, symbolizing the rough-and-ready justice of the Old West.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Roy Bean

1. “And be sure to make your verdict on a law I like.”

2. “Hang ‘em first, try ‘em later.”

3. “Law west of the Pecos.”

4. “I’m the law around here.”

5. “In my court, we don’t waste time on technicalities.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Roy Bean’s net worth was modest, largely based on his earnings from the Jersey Lilly saloon and his role as Justice of the Peace. Exact figures are not well-documented, but his wealth was sufficient to maintain his lifestyle and finance his various enterprises.