Joshua H. Bean (c. 1818 – November 7, 1852) was an American political figure.
Joshua Bean was born c. 1818 in Mason County, Kentucky, to Phantly Roy Bean (November 21, 1804 – June 13, 1844) and his wife Anna Gore. His paternal grandparents were Benjamin Bean and his wife Fernetta Johnston, daughter of Archibald Johnston. Both grandparents were born in Virginia. Bean had a brother Roy, named for their father. He later achieved notability as a judge on the New Mexico frontier, known as Judge Roy Bean.
San Diego was incorporated by the California State Legislature in 1850. Bean, the last alcalde of San Diego,[3] was elected mayor in the first election under the charter on June 16.[4] Bean was the first mayor of San Diego and served from 1850 until 1851.[5] While mayor, he illegally "sold" City Hall and city pueblo lands to himself and his drinking buddy Lieutenant Cave J. Couts (the City Hall was recovered).
In 1851 he moved to Los Angeles, where he kept a saloon and store in Mission San Gabriel, which he called the Headquarters. In 1852 he was ambushed and killed, just outside Mission San Gabriel, during an argument over a woman. Four males were accused of his murder, and were executed. But, officials learned later that the son of Victoria Reid was responsible for Bean's death.[6]
Reyes Feliz, a Hispanic youth, was one of those charged in the murder of Bean. He had given evidence that he had overheard men saying that the killer was the California Bandito Joaquin Murieta.[7]
Bean's brother Roy took over the saloon, and operated it until 1853. He fled California for New Mexico after being indicted for being involved in a knife fight.[8] There he was appointed as a judge and became known as Judge Roy Bean, notable on the frontier.
