I have received a copy of your book. It is a treasured resource! Thank you very much for writing it.
—Vada Larson
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John Randolph Smith, Jeff Smith, and Bobby Sheldon, 1973Bobby Sheldon claimed to have witnessed the
Gunfight on Juneau Wharf (July 8, 1898)
Cathy Spude, soon to be author of another book on Soapy Smith, has published a post on the Tombstone History Discussion Forum, which reads,
Cathy Spude
Jeff R. Smith in Tombstone
So this proves that "Soapy" Smith was in Tombstone for the infamous gunfight? Do you know how many Jeff Smith's there were in the country in 1882? The 1880 census lists 184 Jeff Smiths, with 25 of them being born in Georgia. None of them lived in Colorado at the time.
Come on, Jeff. Give us a break...rest on your laurels and don't push it.
Believe it or not there are actually people who do not want to learn new information, perhaps in fear that it will change their previous beliefs. In Cathy Spude's case it is clearly a personal issue as her book's agenda is to downplay Soapy's roll in history in hopes of raising interest in J. M. Tanner who became .Skagway's deputy U.S. marshal after Soapy was shot dead. To add the heated history of Tombstone into Soapy's already exciting life will not help her downplay cause that Soapy was nothing but a tin-horn con man, to say the least.
As I have several detractors on that Tombstone forum, right along with some new found friends and some hard-earned respect, I am giving the members of that forum the opportunity to cast their thoughts as to whether they want to hear about my Soapy/Tombstone information. Lord knows that if none are interested then I certainly don't want to waste my valuable time giving them something they don't want, lol.
Below is a poll for those who enjoy the Tombstone History Discussion Forum. It is here as it won't appear over at the other forum.
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(Click image to enlarge)"Rounding up Soapy Smith gang at city hall, Skagway '98"
I found the paragraph on page 13 of Sarah Palin's new book, Going Rogue.
After his adventures in Tombstone, the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp came north and spent a few years in Nome during the gold rush. On the other side of the law was "Soapy" Smith, a Wild West crime boss whose tight-knit gang moved from Colorado to Skagway. They made a mint cheating gold miners out of their cash. It finally caught up with Soapy Smith: he was killed in a shoot-out with a vigilante gang.
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(Click image to enlarge)Clark Gable as Soapy in the 1941 MGM film
HONKY TONK
Sarah Palin mentions Soapy Smith on page 13 of her new book, Going Rogue. I wonder what she has to say about him? ...well besides being a pillar of honest society up in Alaska.
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(Click image to enlarge)Soapy sells gold soap
art by Averyl Veliz
(copyrighted and protected)
Our good friend, Averyl Veliz is continuing her Klondike Story project that includes Soapy Smith as the main human villian. On her blog she writes,
"Soapy" Jefferson Smith got his nick-name from his soap scam-a name the public called him, but probably never used to his face. He would gather a large audience and pretend to wrap bills around some of the bars. Then he would auction off the bars, claiming that there could be anywhere from $1-$100 in the a bars. He would have members of his gang mixed into the audience and they would "win" big. The audience would get very excited and the bidding would go higher.Gold was also an excepted currency back then because many of the miners would come straight from the creeks to the saloons and that's all they had. For my story, gold is the only accepted currency to put more value and greed to it. This is Swiftwater's (Beaver) first human experience and he realizes that their greed for gold can work in his favor.
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In recent weeks I have received some potential information that leads one to believe my great grandfather, Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith was in Tombstone, Arizona on October 25-26, 1881, the latter day being the date of the infamous gunfight behind the OK Corral between the Earp and cow-boy factions.
Why is this possibly so important? Because it can, and has, opened an interesting can of worms for Tombstone historians, setting up the simple "good vs. bad" into more of a Dodge City (gambler's) War.
(Click image to enlarge)
Soapy looks out a window at the conclusion of the Gunfight behind the OK Corral
The problem is I obtained my information from a Kenny Vail, who absolutely refuses to disclose his provenance, however, if Vail is being truthful about seeing "Jefferson Randolph Smith's" signature in two Tombstone hotel registers on one or both of those dates listed above then it could very well open a new chapter in the political/gambling battles going on within the city, including the addition of a new theory that involves a possible fight for control of Tombstone's criminal underworld and perhaps even one of the reasons why the gunfight took place! My father once told me, "good ideas are often created from bad ideas," so with that in mind please ponder these few thoughts:
Wyatt Earp testified that "Big Ed" Burns (spelled Byrnes in Tombstone) was one of the men who warned him that the "Cow-boys" were handing out threats against the Earp's. Burns was later known as a key member of the Soapy Smith gang in Denver, Colorado and Skagway, Alaska between 1887-1898. If Soapy had arrived the day before the gunfight could it possibly be that parties of the old Tombstone "gambler's war" which had supposedly ended, enlisted the aid of the bunco men in their cause? This would not be the first time by any means that the bunco gangs were utilized in exchange for the right to operate their games, a contract, being a good defining term. Could Soapy Smith have been called upon by Burns, Bat Masterson, or other friends of the Earp's and the Soap Gang? One big question to ask is for which side were the bunco men to aid? Could the fight have been a trap to assassinate one side or the other? All indications point to the bunco men siding with the Earp's
One step at a time.
More research is needed to find out if Kenny Vail's information is on the level. He has a vow of silence in releasing any provenance. Soapy supposedly signed two hotel registers on the dates indicated so that would be the first logical place to check.
The above information was posted on several Tombstone related forums with a lot of fan-fare that led to some new information (for me) regarding "Big Ed" Burns in Tombstone but little in the way of whether Soapy was there. I promise to report on any new information as it comes in.
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Why is this possibly so important? Because it can, and has, opened an interesting can of worms for Tombstone historians, setting up the simple "good vs. bad" into more of a Dodge City (gambler's) War.
(Click image to enlarge)Soapy looks out a window at the conclusion of the Gunfight behind the OK Corral
Photo by James G. Howes (addition of Soapy by Jeff Smith)
The problem is I obtained my information from a Kenny Vail, who absolutely refuses to disclose his provenance, however, if Vail is being truthful about seeing "Jefferson Randolph Smith's" signature in two Tombstone hotel registers on one or both of those dates listed above then it could very well open a new chapter in the political/gambling battles going on within the city, including the addition of a new theory that involves a possible fight for control of Tombstone's criminal underworld and perhaps even one of the reasons why the gunfight took place! My father once told me, "good ideas are often created from bad ideas," so with that in mind please ponder these few thoughts:
Wyatt Earp testified that "Big Ed" Burns (spelled Byrnes in Tombstone) was one of the men who warned him that the "Cow-boys" were handing out threats against the Earp's. Burns was later known as a key member of the Soapy Smith gang in Denver, Colorado and Skagway, Alaska between 1887-1898. If Soapy had arrived the day before the gunfight could it possibly be that parties of the old Tombstone "gambler's war" which had supposedly ended, enlisted the aid of the bunco men in their cause? This would not be the first time by any means that the bunco gangs were utilized in exchange for the right to operate their games, a contract, being a good defining term. Could Soapy Smith have been called upon by Burns, Bat Masterson, or other friends of the Earp's and the Soap Gang? One big question to ask is for which side were the bunco men to aid? Could the fight have been a trap to assassinate one side or the other? All indications point to the bunco men siding with the Earp's
More research is needed to find out if Kenny Vail's information is on the level. He has a vow of silence in releasing any provenance. Soapy supposedly signed two hotel registers on the dates indicated so that would be the first logical place to check.
The above information was posted on several Tombstone related forums with a lot of fan-fare that led to some new information (for me) regarding "Big Ed" Burns in Tombstone but little in the way of whether Soapy was there. I promise to report on any new information as it comes in.
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Back on October 2, 2009 I published a story about an 1883 city license Soapy purchased to operate his prize package soap racket in Washington, Iowa. Signing the license was the city mayor, D. C. Kyle. On November 8, 2009 Carolyn Ellerston, the great granddaughter, contacted me. Below is her response.
From: The Ellertsons
Subject: Mayor D.C. Kyle, Washington, Iowa
To: soapysmi@soapysmith.net
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 7:18 PM
Dear Jeff,Just FYI, the document would pretty much have to be legitimately associated with the location of Washington, Iowa. D. C. Kyle was my great grandfather (my maternal grandmother's father). He not only was the Mayor of Washington at more than one point, but his obituary states that as the Justice of the Peace, he united over two hundred couples. He was also a surveyor for the city or county as well as other places (obit says surveyed in 14 states or whatever). I can tell you that he was Scots/Irish, and proud of it, for he continued to go to his office until in his eighties, and died after a short illness when he caught a cold (probably turned into pneumonia). My mother used to tell that he was very proud of his heritage, and would quite often wear his kilt (Cameron Clan). There sits in my living room, at this very moment, an oval, marble topped table, which came from his home at 302 West Second Street in Washington. After the death of his daughter Jeannette (never married, and lived in the family home until her death in 1954), the family home was sold, and the heirlooms divided. His son, Joseph A. Kyle, and daughter Frances Kyle (my grandmother) were the only two children surviving. My feeling is that the document is legitimate. There are some very nice and helpful people at the Washington County Genealogical Society there, who would most likely be happy to confirm or try to clarify any questions you may have. Sounds like a colorful relative you have there. Would like to read the book.
Best Regards,
Carolyn Ellertson
Kalama, Washington
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(Click image to enlarge)Jefferson R. Smith and a beautiful fan
I just couldn't put your book down so I managed to finish it before I thought I would.Your book fits me very well as I am the type of person that wants the unadulterated truth and I want it backed with documentation. The fact that you included the actual letters was icing on the cake.
Everyone once in awhile a writer comes along that pours his heart and soul into a book and pays the price by actually doing the leg work necessary to create something truly exceptional. You, my friend, have done just that and are to be commended for your efforts.
For the many people who have not heard of soapy Smith, they no doubt cut their teeth on Hollywood's version of the Old West. It's time they sink their teeth into the true Old West and this book is a great place to start.
Bob Wood
Spring, TX.
Spring, TX.
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There is a new program on the History Channel called Cowboys and Outlaws. I think most would agree that a program based on Soapy Smith would fit perfectly. Problem is the History Channel accepts no suggestions and there is no way I know of to get a hold of those in charge of this one program. I am hoping someone out there reading this right now has an "in."
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"Having never heard of Soapy Smith before and I remembered reading some of your past postings on the Jesse James Delphi board about him, a good while ago, peaked my interest in learning more about this man. Your book on Soapy Smith makes one imagine they are there reliving Soapy's movements through his life. It is very detailed, well written and contains a comprehensive list of research footnotes.
If anyone wants to know more about the life and death of Soapy Smith, then this is the book to read and have in your research library."—Gay Mathis
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(Click image to enlarge)Is this Soapy Smith?
According to an auction on eBay the above photograph may be that of Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith (see auction here). The description reads.
Real Photo Postcard - Signed at Bottom "Soapy Smith" - Found a Soapy Smith that was western Con man - Outlaw who was killed in Alaska in 1898 - This could be a photo of him, but could not be his signature - Unused - Made In Canada - AZO card 4 squares - Corners bumped - free shipping - payment due within 10 days end of auction. Thanks for looking.I did write to the owner of the postcard stating that I can say without any doubt that the man in his photograph is not the famous "Soapy" Smith. Soapy dressed in business attire, did not smoke a pipe and only once was known signing his name as "Soapy." More than likely the photograph is an actor playing the part of Soapy in one of the numerous plays in Alaska and Canada that used his character. To his credit the eBayer published my statement into his auction.
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(Click image to enlarge)A billboard erected to protect a purchased lot from "jumping." Creede, Colorado 1892
A modern example of an age old swindle: Lot jumping
In October 2009 the mother of a friend (Travis) of my daughters was stung for $500. "Travis' mother" answered an ad for the rental of a home. The bunco man allowed her to move into the house a little early after putting down a $500 cash deposit. My daughter's finace' helped move the family into their new happy abode. A week or so later my daughter received a frantic phone call for help in moving the family back out of the house. The real owners came home from vacation and did not appreciate finding that their home was occupied. Fortunately "Tracis' mother" had the fake lease in hand and was not arrested, but did need to vacate the house immediately.
My book has some great information regarding lot jumping in Creede, Colorado and in Skagway, Alaska.
- Page 222: Lot jumpers and real estate protection agreements made by Soapy, including the text from an original lot protection racket of Soapy's.
- Page 438: Information on Skagway's battle between the bunco men and the real estate grifters.
- Page 440-441: Selling single lots to numerous owners, all thinking they were the only owner.
- Page 480: Soapy's Skaguay Real-Estate & Investment Company.
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(Click image to enlarge)Jefferson Randolph Smith & "Dad"
The above photograph was taken over the weekend at the Harvest Fair in San Bernardino, California. That's the great-great-grandson, Jefferson Randolph Smith on the left and "Dad" on the right. We were planning on being there maybe two hours, but that quickly flew by seven hours later.
Well known Tombstone, Arizona historian Jeff Morey purchased and received my book, of which he said.
Jeff,You book arrived today and I am most impressed! It is wonderfully presented and a really significant contribution to the field. You have every right to feel proud my friend.Many Thanks!Jeff (Morey-that-is)
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(Click image to enlarge)A shell & pea game in Alaska, circa 1897-1898
Of Soapy Smith—
He is genial and generous, enjoys a fight, pays his debts, gives his last dollar to whoever wants it and steals the first dollar the next man is rash enough to expose to view. ~ Henry James,
San Francisco Call, February 27, 1898.
Should have been "of Soapy Smith"—
He had the calm confidence of a Christian with four aces. ~ Mark Twain.
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(Click image to enlarge)Did Soapy Smith witness the fight or possible even instigate it?
Photo by James G. Howes (addition of Soapy by Jeff Smith)
I am momentarily overwhelmed with some tasks, including the creation of a book "commercial" for YouTube, a history cruise to Alaska that will arrive in Skagway for the 112 anniversary of Soapy's death, and a very special write-up post regarding new information that states Soapy Smith arrived in Tombstone, Arizona on October 25, 1881 and signed two hotel registers the day prior to the infamous Gunfight at the OK Corral. Was it a coincidence that he was there or was he called in by friends? If so.... which side was he on?
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Jefferson R. Smith
ALIAS SOAPY SMITH
Ballad of Soapy Smith
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