*Groundering

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2134697&forum_id=2#27718803)

One of his first acts as a justice of the peace was to "shoot [...] up the saloon shack of a Jewish competitor".[8] Bean then turned his tent saloon into a part-time courtroom and began calling himself the "Law West of the Pecos."[8] As judge, Bean relied on a single lawbook, the 1879 edition of the Revised Statutes of Texas. When newer law books showed up, Bean used them as kindling.[10]

The Jersey Lilly saloon in September 2005

Bean did not allow hung juries or appeals,[10] and jurors, who were chosen from his best bar customers, were expected to buy a drink during every court recess.[11] Bean was known for his unusual rulings. In one case, an Irishman named Paddy O'Rourke shot a Chinese laborer. A mob of 200 angry Irishmen surrounded the courtroom and saloon and threatened to lynch Bean if O'Rourke was not freed. After looking through his law book, Bean ruled that "homicide was the killing of a human being; however, he could find no law against killing a Chinaman".[10] Bean dismissed the case.[10]

Langtry did not have a jail, so all cases were settled by fines. Bean refused to send the state any part of the fines, but instead kept all of the money. In most cases, the fines were made for the exact amount on the accused's person. Bean is known to have sentenced only two men to hang, one of whom escaped. Horse thieves, who were often sentenced to death in other jurisdictions, were always let go if the horses were returned.[11] Although only district courts were legally allowed to grant divorces, Bean did so anyway, pocketing $10 for each divorce. He charged $5 for weddings, and ended all wedding ceremonies with "and may God have mercy on your souls" (traditionally the end of a death sentence).[14]

Bean won re-election to his post in 1884, but was defeated in 1886. The following year, the commissioner's court created a new precinct in the county and appointed Bean to be the new justice of the peace. He continued to be elected until 1896. Even after that defeat, he "refused to surrender his seal and law book and continued to try all cases north of the tracks".[12]

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2134697&forum_id=2#29828947)