Background
He was the son of James Marion West Senior, the businessman who created the West family fortune, and brother of Wesley W.
He was the son of James Marion West Senior, the businessman who created the West family fortune, and brother of Wesley W.
He was nicknamed "Silver Dollar Jim", because of his habit of throwing silver dollar coins toward passersby on the street. He was also called "Diamond Jim" because of the diamond-studded Texas Ranger badge he wore. He was known to chase criminals right behind the police.
West kept a fleet of thirty cars, mostly Cadillacs in or around downtown Houston, which were equipped with an arsenal of 30-35 guns.
He became an iconic fixture at Galveston casinos such as the Balinese Room. He is considered to be an archetype for the eccentric Texas oilman.