How can the life of one relatively unknown man change our 
understanding of Texas history and the American West? Peter Ellis 
Bean, a fairly minor but altogether fascinating character, casts 
unexpected light on conflicts, famous historical figures, and events 
from the time of Mexican rule through the years of the Texas 
Republic.

    Bean's role in Mexico's revolution against Spain and his service 
as an agent of the Mexican government, especially as an Indian 
agent in eastern Texas, provide an unusually vivid picture of 
Mexican Texas, as well as new information about the Indians in this 
region. More explosively, Jackson's research on Bean's career as 
Indian agent casts doubt on the traditional characterization of Sam 
Houston as a friend to the Texas Indians. Bean's career shows 
Houston as a rival for the loyalty of the Indians during Texas' 
rebellion against Mexico, a rival who made false promises for 
military and political gain.

    After Texas gained its independence, Bean acquired vast lands in 
Texas, at one point holding more than 100,000 acres. He was a 
good citizen and a good businessman, involved with real estate, 
sawmills, salt works, agriculture, and stock raising. He was also a 
bigamist.

    Meticulously researched, dramatically written, and embodying a 
unique understanding of Mexican Texas, Jack Jackson's chronicle 
of Peter Ellis Bean not only rescues him from relative obscurity but 
also corrects key aspects of the history in which he was involved 
and brings to life an era more often consigned to myth.

_________________________________________________________

The late JACK JACKSON was an award-winning author and illustrator 
of Texas history. His book Almonte's Texas won the Bates Award 
given by the Texas State Historical Association. His first book, Los 
Mesteños: Spanish Ranching in Texas, 1721–1821, published by 
Texas A&M University Press in 1986, is considered a classic work on 
Spanish ranching in Texas.


Number Six: Canseco-Keck History Series


What people are saying about this book

"Jack Jackson was widely acknowledged as a biographer and historian 
of the first order. This excellent, meticulously documented volume on 
colorful early Texan Peter Ellis Bean continues this author’s already 
established reputation for blending concise research with entertaining 
descriptive narrative. . . . a 'must-have' for those of us who enjoy a 
focus on East Texas regional history and always want to know more. . . . 
Author Jackson left no stone unturned in telling the life story of Peter 
Ellis Bean as it related to the times in which he lived and the people 
who were his peers. . . . Although Indian Agent is painstakingly detailed 
and abundantly referenced, it is a 'comfortable read,' one to which the 
serious historian will return often."—East Texas Historical Journal, 
Spring 2007

"The book should serve as a wake-up call to borderlands scholars 
that Mexican-born Indian agents, such as Ruiz, deserve much more 
attention."—Western Historical Quarterly, Winter 2006

". . . a most impressive piece of scholarship on Texas and Mexico . . . 
superbly researched and well-written. . ."—Jerry Thompson, Regents 
Professor, Texas A&M University

". . . [Jackson] is a historical sleuth of the first magnitude, and he has 
done an astounding job of mining the difficult Spanish and Mexican 
documents in order to piece together Bean's often-obscure life. . . . a 
major contribution to our knowledge of Indian affairs."—Gregg Cantrell, 
Erma and Ralph Lowe Chair in Texas History, Texas Christian University