1880s Judge Roy Bean Court Document

Judge Roy Bean Court Document Signed. One page, 8" x 9.5", Pecos County, Texas, n.d. [ca. 1880s], a commitment in the case of the State of Texas v. A. A. Durham. In part: "To John Edgar, Sheriff of Pecos County, State of Texas, I Roy Bean a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, Precinct No. 6, herewith commit into your custody for safe keeping one Martain Nester, a witness for the State in the above entitled cause. He, the said Nester, not being able or willing to Enter into bond for or to give his testimony in the same." The legendary Roy Bean (ca. 1825-1903), who lived on the wrong side of the law until he was appointed justice of Pecos County in 1882, was known for his unusual applications of that law. Once he fined a corpse the $40 that it had in its pocket for concealing a pistol; the money was used to pay for the burial. This document is on lined paper with some thumbtack holes; docketing on verso. Nicely repaired along fold separations. Bottom right corner has been torn, though no paper is missing. Near fine. Heritage Auctions Sale 6028 Lot 45240