Dear drolds66,
wow! I really do apologize it has taken me SO long to rsvp to your inquiry. Let's stay in touch better, ok.
It really is a long shot. I have no idea of any Beatys runnin out west in the late 1800's. The Beatys I am aware of came from the 'old country" from Germany or Switzerland or Ireland. It's highly possible they could've been out west in the 1870's. My mom, Janet Beaty, lives in the SE corner of Iowa. I'll ask her or my aunt about a John Beaty. My email is
CJBeaty40@yahoo.com