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| Soapy Smith's "star" notebook page 6 - original 1883 Courtesy of Geri Murphy |
(Click image to enlarge)
THIS POST UPDATED
August 21, 2023
August 21, 2023
OAPY SMITH'S "STAR" NOTEBOOK
Part #6 - page 6
This is part #6 - page 6, the continuation of deciphering Soapy Smith's "star" notebook from the Geri Murphy's collection. A complete introduction to this notebook can be seen on page 1.
The notebook(s) are in Soapy's handwriting, and often times pretty hard
to decipher. A large part of this series of posts is to transcribe the
pages, one-at-a-time, and receive help from readers on identifying words
I am having trouble with, as well as correcting any of my deciphered
words. I will include the original copy of each page, an enhanced copy
of each page, a copy in negative, and a copy with typed out text, as
tools to aid in deciphering the notes. There are a total of 24 pages.
This means that there may be upwards of 24 individuals posts for this
one notebook. Links to the past and future pages (pages 1, 2, 3, etc.)
will be added at the bottom of each post for ease of research. When
completed there will be a sourced partial record of Soapy's activities
and whereabouts for 1882-1883.
This page has been successfully deciphered, and positively dated 1883.
Important to note that the pages of the notebook do not appear to be in chronological order, with Soapy making additional notes on a town and topic several pages later.
This page has been successfully deciphered, and positively dated 1883.
Important to note that the pages of the notebook do not appear to be in chronological order, with Soapy making additional notes on a town and topic several pages later.
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| Soapy Smith's "star" notebook Page 6 - enhanced 1883 Courtesy of Geri Murphy |
Click image to enlarge
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| Soapy Smith's "star" notebook page 6 - negative 1883 Courtesy of Geri Murphy |
Click image to enlarge
Here is what I believe to be the correct deciphering of the text. Do you agree, or do you see something else? There are two words I have not been able to decipher positively. All comments, suggestions and ideas are welcome! I will update the new information to this post.
Rear of page 5 (top).
- Line 1: "Left San Francisco" [California]
- Line 2: "Dec 8th paid for 1883"
- Line 3: "fare to El Paso Tex 60.00"
- Line 4: "Left Los Angeles Dec 14th"
Interpretation: An accounting of his travels in California and Texas in December 1883.
Page 6 (bottom).
- Line 1: "Sales in Tombstone" [Arizona]
- Line 2: "A.T. [Arizona Territory] 1883"
- Line 3: "Dec 17th Mon. [Monday] .....$65.00"
- Line 4: "Dec 18th T [Tuesday] ...........$58.00"
- Line 5: "Dec 19th W [Wednesday] .....$53.00"
- Line 6: "Dec 20th T [Thursday] ..........$57.00"
- Line 7: "Dec 21st F [Friday] ...............$23.00"
- Line 8: "Dec 22nd Sat [Saturday] .......$58.50"
- Line 9: "...........................[total]..........$314.50"
- Line 10: "Sent b[?] Dixon"
- Line 11: "$20.00 Dec 22nd 1883"
- Line 12: "Po [Post office] order Tombstone"
- Line 13: "Sales in Tucson" [Arizona]
- Line 14: "Monday Dec 24 1883"
- Line 15: "1 sale ...................................$90.00"
Interpretation: Soapy worked the prize package soap sell racket in Tombstone, Arizona, between December 17-22, 1883 raking in $314.50 for six days work, which is equivalent to $10,148.26 in 2023. That a nice sum, especially considering that each day of work likely amounted to just several hours, and the fact that the pay of the average soldier in 1883 was $13 a-month! Also interesting is that Soapy was only 23 years old at this time. Making this kind of money, one might understand why Soapy chose to remain in the bunco field.
Line #10-#12 Soapy sends "b Dixon" $20.00. Was this a loan to someone named Dixon? Was Soapy paying Dixon based on a loan from Dixon? Could "Dixon" be a town, such as Dixon, California, or Wyoming?
Line #10-#12 Soapy sends "b Dixon" $20.00. Was this a loan to someone named Dixon? Was Soapy paying Dixon based on a loan from Dixon? Could "Dixon" be a town, such as Dixon, California, or Wyoming?
Soapy operates in Tucson, Arizona on December 24, 1883 (Christmas eve) for a profit of $90.00.
SAN FRANCISCO
Oct 06, 2009
Dec 26, 2009 (pt. 1)
Dec 26, 2009 (pt. 2)
Jan 03, 2012
Feb 22, 2021
Feb 23, 2021
TOMBSTONE
Mar 23, 2009
Sep 25, 2009
Nov 13, 2009
Aug 19, 2010
Dec 26, 2010
Sep 04, 2020
Feb 25, 2021
Mar 04, 2021
STAR NOTEBOOK
April 24, 2017
Part #1
Part #2
Part #3
Part #4
Part #5
Part #7
Part #8
Part #9
Part #10
Part #11 (not published yet)
Part #12 (not published yet)
Part #13 (not published yet)
Part #14 (not published yet)
Part #15 (not published yet)
Part #16 (not published yet)
"Nobody ever went bowlegged carrying away the money they won from me."
—"Poker Alice" Tubbs
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Thank you for leaving your comment and/or question on my blog. I always read, and will answer all questions asap. Please know that they are greatly appreciated. -Jeff Smith