1901 Autograph Letter Signed by James Bean, Brother of Legendary Judge Roy Bean—“The Law West of the Pecos.”
“I regard Chapman as one of the worst common thieves I ever knew…”
Saloon-keeper and Texas Justice of the Peace Roy Bean (ca. 1825–1903) —who styled himself “The Law West of the Pecos”— conducted an unconventional, sometimes extra-legal, and legendary court in frontier Texas.
Here in 1901, Roy Bean’s older brother, James Bean (ca. 1821–?), writes to New Mexico attorney H.B. Holt from El Paso. Bean describes a theft and his dealings with the Chapman family:
You speak of the Chapman acct & refer to statement made by his son that he hired a Mexican for me. The fact is I never saw young Chapman but once in my life & never had a cents worth of business in connection with him directly or indirectly. I had his father with me at White Oaks a short time & he drew about $180.00 while I was away not due him stealing it. I should have prosecuted him but the rest of our Company preferred I should not. ... He located some oil lands in connection with some other parties about White Oaks & think he has an interest in them… I told the Mexican I would do anything I could to help him collect his money & will still do anything that lays in my power for I regard Chapman as one of the worst common thieves I ever knew. (pp1–2, 3)
Accompanying Bean’s letter is a 1972 letter from Donna Adams of Billings, Montana. She refers to James Bean as a friend of Oliver Lee (1865–1941), a suspect in the disappearance and probable murder of Albert Jennings Fountain:
Enclosed is a letter (I believe) from Roy Bean’s brother [James Bean and Roy Bean were the sons of Phantley Roy Bean (1779–1844)]. He was a friend of Oliver Lee who when Oliver Lee was charged with the murder of Albert Fountain [Texas Lieutenant Governor Albert Jennings Fountain (1838–1896), perhaps best remembered for unsuccessfully defending Billy the Kid]. Bean had it transferred to another county and he was never convicted. (This was in Sonnichen’s [sic] book “Tularosa”) [Tularosa: Last of the Frontier West by C.L. Sonnichsen].
A good letter.
Description: 1901 Autograph Letter Signed by James Bean, Brother of Legendary Judge Roy Bean—“The Law West of the Pecos.”
El Paso, Texas. August 12, 1901. [4]pp. ALS. On rectos of stationery of the Hotel Sheldon; pages stapled together. Folds; brief separation at one fold; very good. Accompanied by a 1972 four-page ALS by Donna Adams of Billings, Montana; folds, very good.
[3726300]Price: $225.00