Did Soapy Smith steal a diamond pin in St. Louis, 1885?

"Smith flatly denied taking the pin."
St Louis Globe Democrat
September 7 1885

(Click image to enlarge)

fficers Hannon and Hefferman arrested Jeff Smith at Tom Allen's saloon."

 

 

Did Soapy Smith steal the diamond stickpin? was it outright theft, or was it all part of a swindle, perhaps that victim James Burnside didn't disclose? Was Soapy in St. Louis in September 1885? Was this even Soapy? 

     Here's what we have thus far: "A few nights before" the published narrative (September 7, 1885) James Burnside met up with "Jeff Smith" and Chris Donnelly and they "took a hack ride together," which is when Burnside believes Smith stole the pin. Unfortunately, we do not know the details of the events. At some point the pin was either directly taken from Burnside, or he handed it over, perhaps as payment in a swindle he was the victim of.  Did Smith bump up against Burnside? Did he play a little game, in which Burnside bet his pin, and lost?
     We know that Soapy was still a nomad confidence man in 1885, but was also in the process of making Denver his permanent home. 

• In June 1885 his license to operate his street games was (temporarily) withdrawn.➀ 

• On August 2, 1885 Soapy was a time-keeper for a boxing match in Rawlins, Wyoming.➁ 

• Twelve days later, on August 14, 1885 Soapy is recognized in Denver as a leader in the criminal underworld.➂ 

• Eleven days later, on August 25, 1885, it is reported that the "bunkos" are headed for Boulder, Colorado for the Fireman's tournament, and will "burn up Boulder" with their games, due to the gang "running into hard luck," in Denver.➃ 

It is very likely that the "running into hard luck," in Denver included legal trouble, encouraging the Soap Gang, or at least Soapy, to remain away from Denver for a spell, until things cooled off in Denver. He could have opted to do some traveling around the states, just as he had for years previous, hitting towns and cities, making quick scores, and speedily exiting the area before a victim could involved the law, repeating the process over and over, in other towns along his route. 

     I do not know recognize the name "Chris Donnelly," but he could have been one of Soapy's men who were with him when James Burnside lost his diamond stickpin. If this "Jeff Smith" is indeed Soapy, then it would be one of the few times Soapy didn't leave town in time.

     By October 3, 1885 Soapy is back in the Denver newspapers, having assaulted one of his victims.➄

 

Final remarks: Though the timeline allows the possibility that this "Jeff Smith" is Soapy Smith, it is not provenance that it is. At least not yet.     

NOTES:

➀ Rocky Mountain News, June 20, 1885.

➁ Rocky Mountain News, August 2, 1885.

➂ Rocky Mountain News, August 14, 1885.

➃ Rocky Mountain News, August 25, 1885.

➄ Rocky Mountain News, October 3, 1885.

 

 

"Gaming corrupts our disposition and teaches us a habit of hostility against all mankind."

—Thomas Jefferson.
(Accordingly, he kept meticulous records of his backgammon and card winnings.)