Soapy Smith's "STAR" notebook, 1884, Texas, California: Page #21

Soapy Smith STAR Notebook
Page 21 - Original copy
1884
Courtesy of Geri Murphy

(Click image to enlarge)

oapy Smith's early trips in Texas, Arizona, California, and the men he met.

Operating the prize package soap sell racket in 1884.

This is page 21, which appears to be a continuation of pages 19-20, which ends listing cities in Texas, and page 21 continues in Texas. If this is accurate then page 21 dates May-June 1884. 

     This is the continuation of deciphering Soapy Smith's "star" notebook from the Geri Murphy collection. A complete introduction to this notebook can be seen on page 1. These notebook pages have never been published before! They continue to be of revealing interest. The picture that the pages draw is of young 24 year-old Jefferson pursuing "soap sales" over a very wide spread of territory and in a very tenacious, even driven, way.

     The notebook(s) are in Soapy's handwriting, and sometimes 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. My long time friend, and publisher, Art Petersen, has been a great help in deciphering and adding additional information.
     I will include the original copy, an enhanced copy, and a negative copy of each page. Also included will be a copy with typed out text, as tools to aid in deciphering the notes.

Soapy Smith STAR Notebook
Page 21 - Enhanced copy
1884
Courtesy of Geri Murphy

(Click image to enlarge)

     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 1882-1884.

     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.

     Although the communication of twenty-four-year-old Jefferson Randolph Smith II is with himself, the writing also communicates with us about him 142 years later (and potentially far beyond today).

Soapy Smith STAR Notebook
Page 21 - Negative copy
1884
Courtesy of Geri Murphy

(Click image to enlarge)

I am questioning, of course, what the list means. There's few clues that Soapy went to these locations, thus it’s hard to make definitive decisions regarding which towns Soapy actually went to, or not. I cannot find any real reason why Soapy went to some of these, some not having much of a population, money resources or a railroad.

Soapy Smith STAR Notebook
Page 21 - Deciphered copy
1884
Courtesy of Geri Murphy

(Click image to enlarge)

• Line 1: "Marshall Longview" refers to the Longview–Marshall Combined Statistical Area today, covering four counties in Northeast Texas (see map #1). Longview, one of the largest cities in the early state of Texas, was a train town, which helped it become a regional trading center and a major stop for the Texas and Pacific Railroad. 
• Line 2: Palestine, Texas was a railroad town, as was Tyler, Texas (see map #1).
• Line 3: Ft. Worth and Denison, Texas: Ft Worth, a railroad-cow town, was where Soapy is first known to have started with a gang of swindlers. Denison, a railroad town (see map #1).
• Line 4: Sherman and Pilot Point, Texas: 1880 the first train rolled through Pilot Point over the newly constructed line of the Texas and Pacific Railroad (see map #1).
• Line 5: Denton and Wichita Springs Falls, Texas: Denton has a railroad. Wichita Springs Falls has the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad (see map #1).
• Line 6: Henrietta, Texas, has the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad. Abilene, Texas Established by cattlemen as a stock shipping point on the Texas and Pacific Railroad (see map #1).
• Line 7: Colorado City, Texas: Had a train station (see map #1).

Railroad map #1
Texas
1891

(Click image to enlarge)

• Line 8: Although there is a town in Texas named "El Paso," I believe that the "El Paso" in Soapy's notes is the one in New Mexico, as "Lordsburg," being listed, is in New Mexico, both boomed as a commercial centers, being along the route of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Texas and Pacific, and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroads as early as 1881. 

Railroad map #2
Arizona and New Mexico
1884

(Click image to enlarge)

• Line 9: Dealing with towns in Arizona, “Poenix” is most likely “Phoenix.” There is no railroad to Phoenix at this time. Map #2 from 1884 shows the Southern Pacific Railroad on the path towards Phoenix, but likely stopping in the town of Maricopa, where a stagecoach could be taken the remaining distance to Phoenix. The same lack of rails is also the case for one location in Arizona, as well as one in California. In Arizona, Santan is in Pinal County. At that time, there was no town of any kind. The settlement was named "Santa Ana" by its Akimel O'odham inhabitants in 1857, and pronounced "Santaana." Line 10: has “Cal.” [California], so could “Santaana” be “Santa Ana, California?” "Cal.," appearing in the next line under "Santaana" makes the California location of Santa Ana likely. One can reach there from the east by the Southern Pacific Railroad, and from there by rail to Wilmington, which also appears on line #10.
• Line 10: has “Cal.” [California], so could Line 9 actually read “Santana” as in “Santa Ana?” Also lists Wilmington [California], a neighborhood in the South Bay and Harbor region of Los Angeles, California. The Southern Pacific Railroad goes from Wilmington north to Los Angeles (see map #3).
• Line 11: Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, California. A branch line of the Southern Pacific Railroad runs to Santa Barbara. From there, no tracks yet connected (per an 1889 Railroad map) with the California Southern Railroad line up to San Luis Obispo (see map #3).

Railroad map #3
California
1889

(Click image to enlarge)

     Such features, as seen in this page of the notebook, suggest a hypothesis, that Soapy was laying out a prospective itinerary. Some places like Fort Worth he knew—as he had visited there in the late 1870s, and presumably because he lists debts there. Many other places, though, are small and somewhat out of the way, like Denison, Sherman, and Pilot Point. But they are along rail lines and might have been considered places to stop over and perhaps operate some soap sales. He previously made such stops in little towns as well as big ones in Washington, Oregon, California and elsewhere. Additionally, possibly he had heard of these locations from others in the swindle 'profesh,' as places, that they could be worth his while.

     Looking at some maps, I tried laying out the theory to see if there were some coherence. The cities and towns named in the notebook are highlighted on the maps, with drawn arrows from one place to another according to the order in which they appear in the notebook. What's revealed is a continuous progression west until California. There the progression leads steadily north to San Francisco.

     The zig zag westerly direction in Texas (see map #1) corresponds to existing train lines. One can imagine Soapy making his list in the notebook while sitting at a table with a map spread upon on it, tracing with a finger from town to town.

     The theory has some flaws. The progression of places as listed in the notebook don't always fit with connections along the railroad lines (the lines I draw do not try to follow the railroad tracks), and then there are the missing railroads to Phoenix and from Santa Barbara to the San Luis Obispo line. On the other hand, the places without rails are on the list for some reason, perhaps because of what he has heard or was told, that, for example, there's a passable road. He was likely prepared to take stage coaches or other means of transport to those places.

     Soapy also could be considered an explorer for new sales territory. This fits with the hypothesis. The extent and distances he travelled to reach out-of-the-way Nevada City in California is an example. Another was from Seattle up Cook Inlet to Sunrise in 1896, a journey of some 1500 miles.

• Line 12: Santa Clara and Redwood City, California.
• Line 13: San Francisco. Soapy had travelled to San Francisco several times between 1881-1882. He was there on February 22, 1884.
• Line 14: “tinware for" [California] so was Soapy still doing the Cheap John scam? This would have required quite a bit of luggage?
• Line 15: "California."
• Line 16: “List of debt in"
• Line 17: "Fort Worth.”
• Line 18: "C. Dixon" Could this be "Sid Dixon," later associated with the soap gang? The first mention of "C. B. Dixon" is shown in the Fort Worth Daily Gazette, dated February 3, 1883. Dixon contributed funds to a charity. It is not known if this is the same "Dixon" Soapy knew, as information is lacking, including the first name, the last name, and alias'. For an unknown reason Soapy owed Dixon $25.   

Fort Worth Daily Gazette
February 3, 1883

     Also noted in same newspaper above are the names Jake Johnson, his wife, and John Morris. The latter is believed to be John H. "Fatty Gray" Morris of the Denver soap gang. It is known that Soapy met and worked with Morris in Ft. Worth. However, there is another "John Morris" in Fort Worth, so I can verify that this is "Fatty Gray." 

• Line 19: Jake Johnson, of whom Soapy owed $140 to, is mentioned ten times in Fort Worth newspaper between 1883-1887. There is a confidence man named Johnson who worked with Soapy in Denver (page 178 and 180 Alias Soapy Smith), but the name may be an alias. In 1883 Jake was appointed on the board of directors of the Fort Worth Driving Park Association, a nice title for a horse race track. In 1885 Jake becomes the manager of the race establishment. Within a year, Jake won four raffles (January 3, 1883, January 30, 1883, December 23, 1883, and January 15, 1884). Were these rigged or was Mr. Johnson just lucky? In late January 1884 Johnson gave Jim Courtright a gold watch. Timothy Isaiah Courtright (c. 1845 – February 8, 1887), also known as "Longhair Jim" and "Big Jim" Courtright, was a deputy sheriff in Fort Worth, Texas from 1876 to 1879. In 1887, he was killed in a shootout with gambler and gunfighter Luke Short. Before his death, "people feared Courtright's reputation as a gunman, and he reduced Ft. Worth's murder rate by more than half, while reportedly extracting protection money from town business owners.”

     In late December 1884 Jake Johnson becomes a senior partner with famous gambler Luke Short and Alex Reddick in proprietorship of The White Elephant, saloon and billiard hall in Fort Worth.

The White Elephant
Fort Worth Daily Gazette
December 21, 1884

     On February 8, 1887 gambler Luke Short shot and killed Jim Courtright. Courtright felt he was being disrespected at the White Elephant by Luke Short, so partner Jake Johnson, a friend to both men, called the two men together to try and iron out their differences, just outside of the White Elephant. Short and Courtright began to argue, and Courtright drew his gun. The initial account was that Short was faster on the draw, killing Courtright, but in examining Courtright's revolver, a policeman testified that the pistol jammed. Jake Johnson was the only eyewitness to the shootout. It is not known what became of Jake Johnson as he is not found in the newspapers of Fort Worth again. Could he have gone to Denver and joined up with Soapy? 

     I am left to wonder why Soapy owed Jake $140. Soapy was attracted to "the races," and we know Jake managed a race track and horses. Soapy was a gambler who bucked the tiger and played the ponies. He could win big and lose big, and so far as is known, he wasn't one to welch on a gambling debt. The $140 ($4,975.60 today) he marked as owed is evidence of that.

• Line 20: Soapy owed $10 to Gus Jones, but Soapy scratched out the note. Did he pay Gus? Did he know Gus? Gus is mentioned on page 20 of this notebook as well.
• Line 21: monetary amount, scratched out $175.00. Scratched out because he scratched out the $10 he owed to Gus Jones.
• Line 22: monetary amount of $165.00 owed in debts.

Visit the Soapy Smith Soap Box blog

 

Notebook pages
April 24, 2017
Part #1
Part #2
Part #3
Part #4
Part #5 
Part #6
Part #7
Part #8
Part #9 
Part #10
Part #11
Part #12
Part #13
Part #14 
Part #15
Part #16 

Part #17
Part #18

Part #19
Part #20
Part #22 (not published yet)

Part #23 (not published yet)
Part #24 (not published yet)

"He never missed an opportunity to separate the gullible from ready cash. Neither did he ever miss an opportunity to preach and practice the gospel of kindliness and compassion."

——The Reign of Soapy Smith, 1935

Soapy Smith's Tivoli Club Denver location, 1887-1973.

TIVOLI CLUB
(far left)
Circa 1887-1894
Jeff Smith collection

(Click image to enlarge)

HE HISTORY OF SOAPY SMITH'S TIVOLI CLUB LOCATION, 1887-1973.

The business name of "Tivoli" remained until at least 1937!  

     Between 1887-1894 confidence man Jefferson Randolph Smith II, more commonly known by the alias of "Soapy" Smith, ran a saloon and gambling house he christened the "Tivoli Club," and the theories vary as to why the name "Tivoli" was chosen. One theory is that Jeff Smith picked the name "Tivoli" in honor of where he met Mary Eva Noonan, his future bride, at the Tivoli Beer Hall attached to "Big Ed" Chase's Palace Theater. Another theory is that as Ed Chase was Jeff's partner in the enterprise, that he pushed for the name "Tivoli."

Palace Theatre
Tivoli Beer Hall
Managed by William Deutsch

      William "Henry Dutch" Deutsch was a Denver business property owner and business manager in the 1880s-1911. His story, as currently known, begins on March 6, 1881 when the Rocky Mountain News lists him as the manager of the Tivoli Beer Hall and gaming annex for Ed "Big Ed" Chase’s Palace Theatre. The Denver Republican for June 13, 1882 states that Deutsch left the Beer Hall, opening the Lyceum Vaudeville Theater in South Pueblo, Colorado. One year later, the Rocky Mountain News (June 3, 1883) states that he is proprietor of the Tivoli Variety Theatre in Pueblo and proprietor of the Tivoli Beer Hall in Denver. Deutsch obtains property in Denver on Seventeenth and Holladay streets (later named Market) in 1886. He builds the Deutsch block, where in February 1888 he receives permission to open a saloon at that location. In the 1887-1888 Denver city directory he is listed in the city directory as proprietor of the Alhambra Beer Hall at 1321 Seventeenth Street, on the southern end of his Deutsch block. In the 1889 directory he is listed as the manager of the Alhambra Beer Hall. Soapy Smith's Tivoli Club is located on the northern end of the Deutsch block. That Deutsch built and managed the Alhambra Beer Hall means that it is probable that Soapy Smith and the soap gang used the Hall in their criminal activities. 

     At the time I was researching for my book I stopped researching the history of the building after 1895 as it was no longer Soapy's place. What I didn't know at the time, is that the business name of "Tivoli" continued on for at least another 42 years! Was it just a coincidence, or was it in honor to Soapy Smith?

Denver 1908
"Tivoli" circled in red
Courtesy of Visit Denver

(Click image to enlarge)

     It all started in 2011 when I located a large map of Denver dated 1908. Zooming onto 17th  and Market Streets where Soapy's Tivoli Club was located (see above pic with red circle) at 1337-1339 17th Street, the south-east corner of 17th and Market Streets, I found the name "TIVOLI" on top of the building. The address of 1337 refers to the upper floor and the lower floor was 1339. What sort of business ran there was a mystery to me at that time. Was it a saloon? A gambling house? A restaurant or a hotel? At first glance I surmised correctly that the individual that took over the Tivoli Club location kept the name, and that it continued to operate under that name. Upon closer inspection of the map I could see that the south section of the building (Deutsch's building) that held the Tivoli Club appeared to have been altered or rebuilt. At the time, based on this bird's-eye drawing, I believed that most of the original Deutsch block had been torn down except for the portion containing the hotel, but later found that the entire block had remained as it was when it was built in 1887. I believe the artist just made a minor mistake in making the "map." Although the map is dated 1908 many of the old buildings and businesses that Soapy knew, still existed so the map continues to be a great aid.

Denver 1908
Full map
Courtesy of Visit Denver

(Click image to enlarge)

     I went through my files and to the Denver Public Library online and researched the Denver directories for the years 1896-1972. Unfortunately, not all the Denver directories are online so I have gaps in the history.

1888

     In the 1888 Denver directory there are three names, all being members of the soap gang, listed as residing at 1337-1339 17th Street, but the name "Tivoli" does not appear until the 1889 directory is published.

1889

     The directory lists 1337-1339 as "Tivoli Saloon, 17th, se. cor, Holladay." Note that "Holladay" Street was changed to Market street in 1889, but too late for the 1889 directory publication.

Tivoli Saloon
1889 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library

     The directory lists two soap gang members residing upstairs at 1337 17th, John Bowers and William Lorimer, of whom I believe that his friends called him "Billy Larimer," after Larimer Street which crossed 17th Street. Soapy wrote a poem entitled "Billy Larimer" which was published upon Lorimer's passing in the Denver Mercury, March 31, 1894.

     Lorimer ("Larimer") had died in his room located above the Tivoli where he worked as a bartender. The poem can be seen in Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel, pages 321-22.

     That there were bedrooms upstairs is interesting, and even more so with members of the soap gang residing there including John Bowers, James Thornton, William Turner, Jeff Dunbar, Albert Hoffses and others. These rooms no doubt kept the gang close to the bunko action on the "streets of doom," the name given to 17th street between Wynkoop and Larimer Streets. It is also likely that the rooms were used for swindles and fake offices, as some of the names of the gang listed businesses located there.

1890

     In the directory, William Deutsch and his brother Robert are listed for 1339 17th Street, the downstairs saloon of the Tivoli Club. William is listed as the proprietor. William was the property owner and builder of this entire block building in 1887. He leased the corner property to Soapy Smith and Ed "Big Ed" Chase. During this period it was common for Soapy and Ed Chase to list other individuals as "proprietors," to protect the empires of the real proprietors, Jeff "Soapy" Smith and Edward "Big Ed" Chase. It did not fool the police or the newspapers, as every time the "Tivoli Club" was mentioned in the newspapers, Jeff Smith's name was included as the owner. It is possible that Deutsch was a side partner in the saloon and gambling house. Robert is listed as a barkeeper of the saloon. This is the first I have learned that William Deutsch had a brother, let alone one that was involved in the Tivoli Saloon business.

William and Robert Deutsch
1890 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library

1891

     The 1891 Denver directory lists Soapy and Ed Chase. "Smith and Chase, (Jeff. R. Smith and Ed. Chase,) club rooms, 1337 17th." It is the first and only time Chase is listed as a partner.

Smith and Chase club rooms
1891 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library

     Interesting to note is that the 1891 and 1892 directories list "Mrs. Sarah A. Clark, furnished rooms." In the latter 19th century madams advertised their businesses in various ways, and advertising "furnished rooms" included a soiled dove. If this is true then it is circumstantial evidence that Soapy may have been involved with prostitution, or at least rented out rooms to a madam.

"Furnished rooms"
brothel or cribs?
1891 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Public Library

1892

     In 1892 the name "Tivoli Club" is not listed in the city directory, and only soap gang member James Thornton is listed at 1339 17th Street.

1893

     In 1893 the Tivoli Club rooms under Jefferson R. Smith is listed simply "club rooms."

Jeff Smith club rooms
1893 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library

 1894

     In 1894 the saloon is again listed under proprietorship of William Deutsch. However, every newspaper story about the Tivoli Club included its owner, Soapy Smith. In this year Soapy also opened other saloons, such as the Midway saloon located in the Chever Block on the N.E. corner of 17th and Larimer.

William Deutsch saloon
1894 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver Library

     After 1894 Soapy's (Jeff R. Smith) name is no longer listed in the directory, or in association with the property at 1337-39 17th Street.

1895

     In 1895 Soapy fled Denver during his and his brother, Bascomb's trial for the assault on John Hughes, manager of the Arcade restaurant, saloon and gaming house. When Bascomb was sentenced to one year in prison, Soapy didn't see any hope of staying out of prison himself, so he escaped Denver becoming a fugitive of the court.
     As a partner in the Tivoli Club business, it is possible that Ed Chase, played a role in operating the Tivoli business in Soapy's absence, but only William Deutsch's name is listed between 1894-1911. 
     Not a lot is known of the relationship between Soapy and William Deutsch, but if it had been a bad one, I would think he would have ceased using "Tivoli" in the name. Was there a business reason to keep the name "Tivoli" until at least 1937? Did he keep the name for 40 more years in honor of his old friend and business associate, Jefferson Randolph Smith? Those that know the history of Soapy, via my book, Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel, know that Soapy was very good to his friends and those that worked for and with him, and they remained loyal in life, and after Soapy's death. So, could keeping the Tivoli name have been a tribute to his friend, Jeff "Soapy" Smith?

1896

In 1896 Deutsch renames the saloon as the Tivoli Sample Room.

Tivoli Sample Room
1896 Denver directory
Courtesy of Denver library

Deutsch had new business cards printed up, and his name also appears on a personalized glass whiskey flask, the label reading, “Fine Old Monogram whiskey, Bottled expressly for Wm. Deutsch, Tivoli Seventeenth and Market Street, Denver Colo.”

Tivoli Sample Room
WM. DEUTSCH, PROP.
Courtesy, Geri Murphy collection

MONOGRAM WHISKEY
Tivoli (Sample Room)
Courtesy, Jerry Hazalet collection

1905

     In 1905, Miss Jennie Clauson is listed as the proprietor of The Tivoli at 1337 17th (upstairs). Was this another tactic to hide the criminal activities of the gamblers and bunko sharks who used the rooms upstairs for illegal operations and swindles? Was Miss Clauson using the upstairs section for a brothel? Or, was this the beginning of  The Tivoli hotel? 

The Tivoli (hotel?)
1905 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library

The Tivoli, lodgings
1905 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library

     In the same 1905 directory I found about 20 residents in the rooms, men and women, and no known bunko men living there. William Deutsch is still operating the Tivoli Sample Room downstairs.

Tivoli Sample Room
1905 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library

1907

     William Deutsch is proprietor of the Tivoli Sample Room downstairs, while Fred G. Schwab operates The Tivoli upstairs. Another mention of The Tivoli in the 1907 directory reads "furnished rooms." Is it a real hotel, or are some (or all) of the rooms being used for a brothel? 

Tivoli Sample Room
1907 Denver directory
Courtesy of Denver library

The Tivoli (hotel)

Fred G. Schwab, prop.

1907 Denver directory

Courtesy of the Denver library

The Tivoli, furnished rooms
1907 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library

1911

     

William Deutsch still lords over the Tivoli Sample Room, but it is the last year that his name is listed. Did he sell out? Did he pass away? I could not find a detailed biography for him.

     The name of The Tivoli changes to Hotel Tivoli with the coming of a new proprietor, Robert Anderson.

Tivoli Sample Room
1911 Denver directory
Courtesy of Denver library

Hotel Tivoli
Robert Anderson, prop.
1911 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library

1915

     The Hotel Tivoli is still in the directory. However the saloon is now under the new name, the Lion Liquor Company. 

Lion Liquor Co.
1339 17th
1915 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library

1916-1936

     For the next twenty years the Hotel Tivoli does not appear to change. Big change comes for the downstairs saloon as Prohibition (1920-1933) is enacted, ceasing any legal operating of a saloon business. The Tivoli Hotel is listed in the 1923 directory, but there is no mention of it in 1924, nor the addresses of 1337 and 1339 17th. This does not mean there was not a saloon "open" for the discreet drinker, only that the city directory naturally did not list it.Ed Chase died September 27, 1921, If he hadn't sold off his part of the business, and he didn't own the building, did he just let it revert back to William Deutsch at the start of Prohibition?  

1937

     1937 witnessed new proprietor's, probably new owners as well, for both upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs (1337 17th) is still the Tivoli Hotel but the listed proprietor is Hilma Nylander ("wid I W" [widow of Isaac W. Nylander]). In the 1940 census Hilma is listed as the manager, with 17 guests, meaning that with Hilma staying at the Tivoli, there were at least 18 rooms. Downstairs (1339 17th) has changed business to the Plecone and Sons restaurant, which may still have an attached saloon.

Tivoli Hotel and Plecone Restaurant
1337 and 1339 17th
1937 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library

     The Denver directories between 1937-1950 are not online.

1950

     The 1950 Denver phone book lists a name change for the hotel, bringing an end to the use of "Tivoli." The Denver Hotel is listed at 1337 17th, but no business is named or listed for the first floor at 1339 17th. Could a bar (saloon) or restaurant on the first floor have been combined with the new owner of the hotel upstairs, and under the same business name?

Denver Hotel
1337 17th
1950 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library

 

1972-1973

     The next phone book I could access was for 1972. Ironically, there was no listing or phone number for the Denver Hotel, but photographs of the outside of the building clearly show a sign reading "Denver Hotel." At some point between 1937-1950 the name of "Tivoli" is removed. What other business names may have been used is unknown at this time.
     In 1971 the Ginn Mill Bar was located on Larimer Street. In 1972-73 The Ginn Mill on Larimer is no longer listed and the Ginn Mill (restaurant?) and Ginn Mill Tavern opens at 1339 17th street, the location of the Tivoli saloon. Was the proprietor the same for both businesses? The Ginn Mill is later known as "Denver's Oldest Bar." So was it the oldest bar in Denver? How far back are they talking about? There was the break, during Prohibition when all saloons were supposed to be closed, thus not advertised. Did the location remain a saloon, right up to the year the building was razed? If that is the case, having opened in 1887, then yes, it would have been the oldest bar, had developers not razed the Deutsch block building.

Ginn Mill
1339 17th
1972 Denver directory
Courtesy of the Denver library

Ginn Mill Bar and Denver Hotel
1337-1339 17th Street
1973-75 Denver directory

   

Visit the Soapy Smith Soap Box blog

 

Tivoli Club
Dec 09, 2008
Jun 04, 2009
Jul 19, 2009
Jul 23, 2009
Aug 11, 2009
Jan 29, 2010
Apr 11, 2010 
Feb 28, 2011
Jun 23, 2011
Nov 18, 2011
Feb 23, 2012
Jan 14, 2014
Dec 26, 2014
Dec 22, 2015
Oct 29, 2016
Oct 30, 2916
Feb 07, 2020
Jun 23, 2020
Aug 15, 2021

William Deutsch
Jan 02, 2009
Aug 15, 2021

The Tivoli Club: pp. 79-81, 89, 120, 124-29, 131-32, 138-39, 171-72, 176, 182-83, 185, 188, 190, 197, 247-48, 256-57, 260-64, 272-78, 283-84, 286-87, 324, 336, 338, 352, 358, 389, 420.
William Deutsch: pp. 80, 131-32, 248.

"There is but one good throw upon the dice, which is, to throw them away."

—Author Unknown

BUNKO THIEVES of San Francisco in 1876, and their comparison to the Soapy Smith gang.

BUNKO THIEVES.
Evening Post
(San Francisco)
May 6, 1876

(Click image to enlarge)

 

 

 

unko thieves of San Francisco in 1876

and their comparison to the Soapy Smith gang.

Though the article is written well before Soapy’s criminal reign in Denver, it gives a number of comparison clues to how the soap gang in Denver operated. I will add my thoughts and notes within the article. These were not written down rules, but rather common sense in the art of manipulating human nature for the most profit without being arrested.

Evening Post
(San Francisco)
May 6, 1876

BUNKO THIEVES.

The Shrewd Swindlers with Whom San Francisco is Infested.

Their Haunts and Ways of Taking In the Unwary—Some of the More Notable Characters—How Railway Travel is Injured by Their Operations—Fleecing Tourists from Australia.

“Will you walk into my parlor?” said the spider to the fly,
It’s the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy.
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many pretty things to show you when you’re there.”

[Soapy Smith appreciated the poem, "The Spider and the Fly" by Mary Howitt (1829) and it's unintended comparison to the bunko man and the victim. In the mid-1890s he picked up a print of The Web of Arachne by Fernand Le Quesne and is believed to have hung it inside the Tivoli Club in Denver. When he opened his saloon in Skagway, Alaska, he hung the print on the wall and fittingly named the saloon, Jeff Smith's Parlor.]

The Web of Arachne
by Fernand Le Quesne

(Click image to enlarge)

Had the author of the composition from which the above lines are taken chosen to set forth the preliminaries to the invitation, she would, no doubt, have presented an interesting detail of the measures taken by the sagacious spider to insure an acceptance of his invitation by his intended victim. Externally, the appearance of Monsieur Spider was such as to inspire confidence and respect. Natural defects were overcome by artfulness, and the ordinary ungainly appearance improved as much as possible. The natural ugliness of the arachnidan visage was concealed by an open, winning smile. The hairy legs were brushed into glossy smoothness, and though rather thin, seemed the perfection of gentility. The rasping voice of ordinary occasions was softened into one more seductive in tone, and, in short, the tout ensemble of the tempter was as much altered for the better as the necessities of the occasion demanded and the funds at his command, and the furnishing of his toilet-table, would allow. Not only in this direction but in others was his sagacity manifested. (much of next sentenced missing) … crack in the wall, where the potent attraction of a ray of sunshine, or some other equally strong inducement, caused the congregation of an unusual number of flies at that point. His sagacity was further manifested in the selection of one fly in particular to whom he should extend the invitation. It was not offered to flies in general, but to a single individual, and we are led to believe that as the spider, concealed in the darkness of his inner den, looked out upon the passersby, he let one after another pass unheeded, and paid no special attention until he caught sight of one whose particular fatness excited his appetite or whose unsophisticated appearance promised an easy victory. Then

THE TEMPTER SIDLED FORTH.

Clambered gently over the meshes of the net until the outer one was reached, and dangled there in suave composure waiting the coming of his victim, who upon arriving was gracefully saluted with the compliments of the day. The advances being pleasantly received the conversation took a more confidential turn, and soon the fly could not fail to see what a great impression his shapeliness and talents had produced upon his particular friend the spider. No doubt it curiously happened, according to the statement of the spider, that before taking up his present location he had dwelt near the family of his young friend the fly, knew his father and mother well and all the family. All this, however, was but preliminary to the gentle invitation couched in the nicest language and offered in the softest tones. “Will you walk into my parlor?” The fly confiding and flattered, willingly consents, is ceremoniously assisted inside by the spider, who can hardly restrain himself from satisfying at once his appetite, is taken up the dark pathway, beyond the light of day and the reach of his friends and adds one more to the list of the latter’s victims, while he diminishes the number of fools in the world by one. This occurrence is a common one, and takes place more frequently, perhaps, in our city than anywhere else. The spiders are human beings—the term men would flatter them too much—who, having in the great process of evolution descended direct from the tarantula, display all the villainy, treachery and lack of principle characteristic of that animal, with a corresponding amount of knavery and cowardice. Their dens are scattered about the city, hidden from all eyes, save those of the sharper, his victim and the police. The webs, invisible though they are, await the traveler on every corner, though they are most numerous on Montgomery street, on and near the corner of Bush, and from there up to Kearny. Here, also, the spiders may be seen in full force every day, dressed shabbily or fashionably, as suits their purse or the object they have in view. Gamblers, pickpockets, ropers-in, confidence men, monte men and blacklegs of high and low degree, throng the principal thoroughfares with nothing, save in the lower grades, to indicate their trade, and

UNDISTINGUISHABLE FROM MEN OF RESPECTABILITY,

Except by those “fly” enough themselves to know them and their doings. In this “profession,” as in all others, there are different grades of “honor,” according as the work performed is difficult or easy. The burglar who skillfully breaks into your house at night looks down with contempt upon him who merely snatches your watch in a crowd, and quite as contemptuously does the latter, proud of his own skill, look upon the sneak thief who creeps through an opened front door, takes an overcoat and umbrella from the hat-rack and stealthily crawls off to his pawnbroker. The majority, however, prefer swindling to stealing. It is more genteel in the first place, is much less precarious and there are more avenues of escape in case of arrest. The only stock in trade required for the business is a knowledge of human nature, a glib tongue, a thorough lack of principle and a previous acquaintance with some branch of swindling. These qualities make up the sharper, and as they are possessed in a greater or less degree determine his status among his brethren. As the capabilities of the members of the gang vary, so do the means by which their, or rather his, mind as to the method of approach and the way in which to work. It is a matter of often-expressed wonder how the gentlemen who “toil not” managed to keep well dressed and well fed, and yet the swindling business offers as great, if not greater field for individual enterprise than any other. From a “hogging” faro game, bunko and the more aristocratic methods of swindling, down through the intermediate stages of three card monte, the strap game, card and billiard games generally, loaded dice, etc., to the humbler practices of “standing in” with clothing dealers, the ways of turning a dishonest penny are varied and numerous. The sharpers live at the expense of travelers, either from the outside country, from the East or more distant localities, who, unacquainted with the city and its denizens, fall an easy prey. This city, owning to the number of people who are constantly coming and going, the immigrants and travelers from the East and from Australia and China, is

A CHOSEN SPOT

For the fraternity, and the number of them is something startling. Then, in addition, their ranks are receiving constant accession from the hoodlums of the city, the greatest ambition of many of them being to be successful card throwers, or sharpers of some sort. The one department of “bunko” swindling claims the attention of a large number, who working methodically and carefully, are successful to a far greater extent than the few complaints and tales of distress that are told at the Police Office would lead one to imagine.

[The number of known successes is few as they were not published or written down, minus a few examples of profits Soapy noted in his private notebooks and writings as he traveled from town to town in the early days as a nomad bunko man and his operations in Denver and the Tivoli Club. In Denver he was able to pay his gang, his debts, and afford a good life for his wife, Mary and their children, purchased properties, at least one home, and charity to the needy. According to his Mary, at the time of his death Soapy had made near 40 million dollars (stolen).]

The “bunko” men are divided into two distinct gangs, one “going for” the more aristocratic passengers from the East and Australia, and the other for the immigrants and steerage passengers, called “stinkers” in the elegant parlance of the gang. Though well known to each other, the bunko men usually hang together in gangs of three or four, that number being all that is needed to operate at one time. Their loafing places are, as stated before, around the corners of Bush and Montgomery and Bush and Kearney streets. They are also scattered along Kearney, and at the corner of Kearny and Commercial streets there is a saloon which forms their general headquarters.

[Not much different years later within the soap gang organization. Unlike the article, the soap gang in Denver was often divided into numerous groups in numerous locations on and around Seventeenth street, between the Union Depot and Larimer street. There were big mit (fake poker) games, the auction house, the gaming rooms of the Tivoli Club, etc. They also hung together in groups of three or four. When Soapy went to Skagway, Alaska for the very first time in 1897, he went with two other bunko operators, and it was three of the gang that robbed John Stewart in July 1898.]

It is a small, shabby place on the northeast corner, and is kept by a little old man familiarly called “Uncle” by the bunkoists. “Uncle” is a short, fat man with a bald head, who may usually be seen, for all the world like a bloated spider, standing near the door of his “dive.” His head is bald with the exception of a few locks around the sides, his face is red and bloated; his nose so swollen by toddy efflorescence as to have become shapeless and spread over a large part of his face; his eyes are deep-set and small, with a villainous twinkle; a long tobacco-stained gray beard partly conceals a dirty shirt; and altogether he seems fitly named when designated as the elder relative of so promising a family. Around his place and in it may usually be seen a number of sharps and bunko men; those who gather there are as a general thing members of the plebeian division of the gang. This plebeian division is presided over by one "Blewy,” who makes periodic trips out into the country, gets acquainted in various towns, and is therefore prepared, when the harvest season is over, and the “hands” have come to town for a good time, to show them around, exhibit the elephant and the “lively flea” to them, and

TEACH THEM THE WAYS OF THE CITY.

Such tuition, however, is slightly more expensive to those that have money than would be lessons on the best method of swaying a nation from Queen Victoria. One of “Blewy’s” right hand men is a man who may be seen every day around the saloon above mentioned. He is a man about five feet ten inches high, wears a dark gray suit of clothes, a flat black felt hat, such as is usually sported by hoodlums, and has a red, wrinkled face, with sandy mustache and short chin whiskers. His face has a hardened, “tough” look, and his expression invariably causes the observer to wonder when he got out of San Quentin. The aristocratic division is run by “Slim Jim’s Brother,” a brother of the notorious monte man. Chicago Jack. Boston Charley and Tibbetts have already been hauled up before the Police Court on charges of bunko swindling, and Tibbetts is now spending a term in the County Jail. Slim Jim’s brother, “Chicago Jack,” and Harris are about the same hight[sic], five feet eight, or a little below it. They dress on ordinary occasions somewhat alike, in dark suits, usually wearing short sack or frock coats. Harris wears a soft, dark felt hat—has black hair, slightly curling, a black mustache, and an incipient beard on his chin. He dresses to be seen around the corner.

[Likely that the moniker of "Slim-Jim" was pretty common, but then again, it's hard not to imagine that it could be referring to "Slim-Jim" Foster of the Skagway, Alaska, soap gang who assisted in the robbery of miner John Douglas Stewart, that also involved the game of three-card monte.]

These men and their associates are expert cardsharpers, and are up in

ALL KINDS OF SWINDLING.

But their attention has been of late devoted principally to bunko. Whenever an Australian steamer gets in they are on the alert. Around the railroad offices on Montgomery street can be counted any number of them, and their adroitness is a matter of astonishment even to those who know their skill and mode of acting. Two Englishmen run with the gang who are evidently Sydney birds, and these make themselves especially useful. Among the number are men who have traveled in many parts of the world, through the East, in Europe, and in Australia, and are sufficiently conversant with the various cities to make themselves appear to have many acquaintances and to be well known there.

It is the custom for one or more of the gang to go down to the steamer on its arrival, “spot” the newcomers that look most promising either for greenies or money, and note to what hotel they go. A glance at the hotel register afterward tells the place from which they came, and so the sharper is able to inform his confederates of the name of the selected person and where he hails from, together with such other information as might be gained from a confederate on board the steamer or from any other source.

[No need to "glance at the hotel register for the soap gang in Denver as the local newspapers published who was at which hotel, giving their name and where they hail from and sometimes their occupation and why they are in Denver, whether it be business or pleasure. This made obtaining victims from the hotels much easier than those in 1876 San Francisco gangs could.]

That member of the gang who is best acquainted with the place in question then makes it his business to become acquainted with the man and gain his confidence. He may impose upon some acquaintance of his intended victim and obtain an introduction, or he may follow the latter until some very natural way of making his acquaintance presents itself. Nearly every one of the sports has some “gal” in some one of the low concert saloons who introduces him as Mr. Smith, of the London and San Francisco Bank, or Mr. Brown, of the Bank of California, and the greenhorn usually takes it all in and is gratified at forming so aristocratic an acquaintance. Very commonly, however, no circumlocution is used, and the bunko sharp walks up to the man on the street, claiming his acquaintance at once. A gentleman who has seen this done several times says: “It is perfectly astounding how they impose upon a man when they have once settled upon him. They walk up with the most perfect air of gratified surprise, grasp the man’s hand warmly and shake it vigorously. The man is astonished at first, but time after time, after a short conversation I have seen them

WALK OFF ARM IN ARM,

The victim seeming quite [rest of sentence missing]. An invariable accompaniment of the unexpected meeting is an invitation to drink, usually given by the latter, and the two go off to a saloon “kept by a friend of mine” to get the libation that renews the acquaintance. The first meeting usually takes place on Montgomery street, and the drinking saloon selected is a little den on the south side of Sutter, between Montgomery and Sansome near the middle of the block. It is a small, dark place in the rear which is a small board patrician through the door of which a green-baize covered poker-table is visible, and where a small game is usually going on. The two go to this place and get a drink, and the liquor is usually “snuffed” to such an extent that whatever the victim selects for a drink is sure to go to his head and intoxicate him in very short order. Having got him partly or wholly drunk, he is in a fit condition to understand the beauties and mysteries of “bunko.” The sharper confidentially informs him that he has

JUST DRAWN A PRIZE IN A LOTTERY.

And invites him to accompany him to the office and get the money. To the office then they go. These offices are situated in various places, each gang having its own. No one of them remains long in the same building, owing to the precarious nature of the business, but moves, as soon as a good haul has been made, to some other locality. The office is fitted up with ledgers, advertisements of lotteries, and is represented as an agency. A doctored copy of the statutes concerning lotteries, and the rules governing them, lies where it will be likely to seen. The successful candidate receives his prize in bona fide gold coin, and is usually given another ticket which he generously offers to his newly-found friend, or by drawing with it and winning so excites the latter’s cupidity that he is anxious to try his hand, and a “special drawing,” as provided for in the rules, is inaugurated for his benefit. There is really no game at all to it, but it is so explained to the victim that there seems to be

EVERY CHANCE OF WINNING

And none of losing. The cards are drawn from a box and are twenty-six in number, twenty-five being blanks and one entitling him to a prize. When the cards are drawn, the rule is that when a blank comes out the player must “represent” or double-up, or lose what he has already put up. Inspired by the fact that the prize card is sure to come in time, and feeling confident in the game, inasmuch as the man who is conducting it puts up an amount equal to his every time, he keeps on doubling till his funds are exhausted and he cannot come to time, when the “Cashier” coolly sweeps the board and informs the victim that he has lost. A great deal of discretion has to be exercised by the sharpers in picking out men who will not “squeal.” That is, after losing their money, raise a row about it, have the men arrested, and so on. In many cases the bunko sharp is compelled to return a portion of the money to avoid such trouble, and sometimes comes to grief at the hands of the law. In such cases the matter is compromised with the man, his money is returned and he is induced to leave, so that when the case comes up for trial the sharp escapes for lack of prosecution.

[Very little difference in the operations between the San Francisco gangs of 1876 and Soapy Smith's gang in Denver of the 1880s-90s, where there are many examples in which the newspapers report that the victim did not show up to court and the prosecution had no choice but to drop its case. In Denver and later in Skagway, Alaska, this developed into the unconventional procedure of arresting the victim, as well as the con man, in order to make sure they appear in court]

One of the most pernicious modes of gaining the confidence of the travelers, adopted by the sharp, is to represent himself as a railroad agent for some of the Eastern routes. This has really hurt the travel here, the railroad men say, and given

A VERY BAD REPUTATION TO SAN FRANCISCO

Among the foreign traveling public. The Englishmen coming here from Australia are the best game for the sharpers, partly on account of their being usually well supplied with money and partly on account of their ignorance of this city and “its ways that are dark.” Besides this they are not in the habit of squealing, unless they are severely bitten. One of them who came up two steamers ago related his experience. He met a man who was going east on the same train with him, at least that was his statement, and they went around to see the sights together. They wound up, both comfortably “full,” in a saloon on Merchant street, almost in the shadow of the City Hall. Here the Englishman was shown a magnificent gold quartz specimen by his friend, and they and some others raffled for it. Shaking dice for this led on to shaking for money, and, as the Englishman phrased it, “Buggah, the fellahs if they didn’t cozen me out of twenty-five souvrins.”

THE HAULS MADE BY THE SHARPS

Are sometimes very large. Slim Jim’s brother made one haul of £1,400 sterling from one man, £500 of it being sovereigns and the rest £5 notes. The sovereigns he exchanged for United States money in a broker’s office on Montgomery street. The sharps frequently go into the broker’s offices with English gold and notes in smaller amounts. How it happens that they are allowed to carry on their game when from “Nibsy,” the curly-haired “snide jewelry” man, to “Liz,” the bunko apprentice they are all well known to the police is a problem which “no feller can find out. Every day some one is swindled, and the sharpers grow fat while the police smoke good cigars on the street corners. There has been of late among the railroad offices some talk of a vigilance committee to clean the fellows out, as they are all well known, and if no other remedy can be had it certainly would be a good thing for them and for the city.

[Although not confirmed via the newspapers, it is likely that "every day some one is swindled" in Soapy's Denver kingdom as well. It is circumstantial evidence that Soapy worked almost every day, including New Year's Day, etc. In Denver there was little to fear of vigilantes, but it was vigilantes that ended Soapy's life in Skagway, Alaska. Read the whole story in my book, Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel]

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"I never cheated an honest man, only rascals. They wanted something for nothing, I gave them nothing for something."

—Joseph "Yellow Kid" Weil