Soapy Smith first arrives in Skagway, Alaska August 20, 1897, 5 p.m.

The Utopia
Circa November 17, 1898
Jeff Smith collection

(Click image to enlarge)

oapy's first arrival in Skagway: August 20, 1897, 5 p.m.

On November 6, 2017, I published a newspaper clipping, from the Seattle Post Intelligencer, August 14, 1897 which was of importance as it was significant evidence of when Soapy had first arrived in Skagway, Alaska onboard the steamer Utopia. Soapy is listed as a passenger, as is "L. W. Tozier" (Leroy Tozier), who's letter is written on August 20th, the day the Utopia arrived in Skagway, and published on September 1, 1897. From the previous posts I was certain that the Utopia had arrived between August 18-22, in the late afternoon, and now, with this published letter, I know that the Utopia, with Soapy on board, arrived on August 20, 1897 at 5 p.m. finally ending decades of debate as to the definitive date and time of his first arrival.

      Of importance, is the name Jesse Murphy, mentioned at the start of paragraph 3. Could this be the same Jesse Murphy who shot and killed Soapy on July 8, 1898?

      The remainder of the article pertains to an interesting look at the earliest days of Skagway. 

Seattle Daily Times
Wednesday, September 1, 1897
Seattle Washington
Page 5

AS SEEN BY LEROY TOZIER

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Well-known Seattle Man Writes From Skaguay.

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WENT UP ON THE UTOPIA

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Tells About Various Seattle Argonauts and 

What They Are Doing – All Have Hopes of 

Getting Over the Back-Breaking Divide.

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Capt. E. J. Powers has received the following interesting letter from Leroy Tozier. Everybody in Seattle knows Tozier and will be interested in what he has to say:

Skaguay Bay, August 20, 1897.

      We dropped anchor here at 5 p.m. midway between the British steamers Bristol and Islander, they both having arrived today some three and five hours before us respectively. The three vessels, Utopia, Islander and Bristol, added just 650 persons to the population of Skaguay, which the city, if it may be so-called, is indeed a wonder. 3000 and 800 people are in camp between the water and the summit of White Pass waiting to cross. After a visit on shore, during which time I interviewed men who had been here for from 3 to 4 weeks, I will say that not 10% of the 3800 will cross this season. Seven horses have been killed on the trail by falling from the narrow path during the two days just past, and it is simply hire animals or men to pack goods. Many are preparing to go into winter quarters, and if I mistake not Skagway will be a lively camp during the fall and winter, but not a few have sold their outfits and will return to their home disgusted and without funds. Jack Levy and Frank and Dan Egan are going through, but have met many obstacles that would have defeated those of less courage: Jack Scurry, and Terry and party are in camp a short distance of the trail with fair prospects for getting through. Mr. Green, the undertaker, and party are camped near the beach and so far have made no onward move, except to get under way by Monday. Trennuman sold his Indian steed and intends to do a Yankee trading business until able to go in over the snow. George Noble will move toward the promised lands tomorrow. He was detained by sickness, having been abed for five days, but is now in good condition and has a chance to get through. Charles Cole abandoned part of his outfit and will start in tomorrow by way of Dyea. To my surprise I learned that J. D. Thaggard is among the few who have crossed and is now well on his way to Dawson city. Capt. Barrington and party profited by the captain’s knowledge of the festive red man’s ways and language and went in via Dyea.

      Advise friends to wait until spring, as a blockade is on and with those here and coming five thousand men will be compelled to remain in Skaguay until spring or return home. Several have horses and wagons. They are making from $80 to $100 per day with each team hauling freight from scows to parts of the camp. There is ample room for a city and it is not true that the town is on a barren and rocky beach or that the campers are suffering for shelter. One hundred yards from high tide water there is a grove where a majority are in camp many in tents, some in frame buildings and a very few in the open. Each steamer having space brings lumber from Juneau and before severe weather comes this place will present a comfortable and substantial appearance. The weather is delightful, with the exception of a breeze which comes up Lynn Canal about 3 p. m. and lasts till 7 or 8 p. m. The wind does not inconvenience campers, but makes unloading vessels at anchor somewhat slow and difficult, but not necessarily dangerous. A large piledriver now at anchor in the harbor will soon be used in constructing a wharf 1000 feet in length from high tide to deep water. C. Sperry and F. Clancy have filed upon a water route leading from the flat or city proper up the mountain side to a beautiful lake situated in a basin at an altitude of 800 feet, from which water can be piped at a small expense. When Skaguay becomes a railway terminus they will have a bonanza.

      Ex-Register Jesse Murphy of Olympia, who assisted in surveying the town site, has a general merchandise store and is making big money. R. O. Lasier and party have their tent pitched in an ideal camping spot, where they will remain until winter: then go inside over the ice and snow. Jack D is teaming and doing a rushing and remunerative business. Ex-Collector Andrew Wasson and party are pushing onward and may get through, but like others who have abandoned their boats will have serious trouble at the Lakes in getting afloat. Robert Morgan and Barney McGee are at Lake Bennett awaiting the arrival of small outfits from this side, intending to go inside on receipt of same. Joe and I will go to Dyea Sunday and start for Dawson with our 350 pounds on Monday. Have not the slightest doubt as to our ability to get in as we can get over the Chilkoot Pass in six days and will do all are packing ourselves. We will encounter difficulties in getting our boat over, but will get there just the same. Joe Slenthus has recovered from his tumbled down the stairway and is now out with his pic examining a mountain back of the town. He got his optics on a quarts [quartz] formation by looking through Mariner’s glasses and would give me no rest until I got a ship’s boat and rowed him to the mountain. Expect to go after him soon and will not be surprised to find him with a ton of rock ready for shipment by return steamer. So many have requested personal letters that in order to reply I would have to write all the while; therefore kindly read this and let it act as a circular letter to my friends in Seattle. If you desire to be brief to all not to go to the Klondike until they can travel over the ice and snow or until spring. Tell Archie Hayes that he missed it by not coming, as the packing rate is from 35 to 50 cents, and any old thing in the shape of a horse sells on sight for $150 or $200. Further tell him that if he intends coming in the spring to bring mules or small horses, as the mules are heartier and small horses have a decided advantage over large animals owning to the narrow path and numerous blogs. Town “Uncle” Abner Gilmore and “Uncle” George B. Walker that the seductive game of faro is not in favor here as yet, but all who desire to get “action” upon spare change can find a place and time in any of the five “clubs” now open. Will do my best to send a line from Dyea, but may not have time. With best regards to yourself and my inquiring friends, yours in F. C. and B., Leroy Tozier.

      Just learned that a sawmill plant [Built and operated by Captain William Moore] is here and is now being placed in position and within a few days will be in operation. The company is loaded with orders and cannot fill them for two months.

November 6, 2017

"I found an Italian bootblack and made a contract with him to black my boots for twenty-five cents, which seems high unless you saw the boots. But he hardly got himself into action when I felt a light touch on my shoulder and saw Hislop apparently deprecating the performance. ‘It is hardly wise just now’ he said…. I thought he meant that it was a poor investment in view of the fact that the boots would soon be bad as ever. But he explained that the public feeling was very excited and ran high, and that while it did not necessarily follow course that a man was honest because he had dirty boots, on the other hand there was an irresistible presumption that if his boots shone, he must earn his living by questionable methods."

— Samuel H. Graves, president of the White Pass and Yukon Railway
Alias Soapy Smith, p. 556.

DECEMBER 28

1732: The Pennsylvania Gazette, owned by Benjamin Franklin, runs an ad for the first issue of Poor Richard’s Almanack.

1832: John C. Calhoun steps down as vice president over differences with President Jackson. He is the first vice president to resign.

1846: Iowa is the 29th state to be admitted to the Union.

1869: William E. Semple, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, patents an acceptable chewing gum. The previous “gums” were not very tasty to put into ones mouth.

1872: Dodge City, Kansas saloon employee, Matthew Sullivan, is shot and killed by an unknown assailant who fired through the window of the saloon. Rumor and accusation point at Bully Brooks as the likely suspect.

1875: Charles Earl “Black Bart” Bowles robs the North San Juan-Marysville stage in California. At the conclusion of the robbery he leaves behind an unusual calling card: a poem.

1877: John Stevens applies and receives a patent for his flour-rolling mill, which boosts production by 70%.

1881: City Marshal Virgil Walter Earp of Tombstone, Arizona Territory is ambushed and shot from behind as he walked from the Oriental saloon to his room at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. He is hit in the back and left arm by three loads of double-barreled buckshot. He survives the attack but is crippled. The ambushers are never revealed although there are numerous suspects.

1882: Henry Brown, assistant marshal, is appointed city marshal of Caldwell, Kansas.

1895: Soapy Smith, Edward Keeley, William “Holland” White, and Charles “Major” Meary, swindled J. R. Landry of out of $34 in a rigged poker game in New Orleans, Louisiana.

1902: The first professional indoor football game is played at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Syracuse defeats the Philadelphia Nationals 6-0.