Soapy Smith's Soap Box

November 12, 2009

Book review #9

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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.

History Channel: Cowboys and Outlaws

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."

November 11, 2009

Book Review #8

"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

Is this a photograph of Soapy Smith?

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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.

November 10, 2009

Modern lot jumping swindle close to home.

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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.

November 9, 2009

Jeff Morey, Jefferson Smith and Dad

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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)

November 7, 2009

Quick quotes...

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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.

November 6, 2009

Did Soapy Smith witness the Gunfight at the OK Corral?

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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?

November 4, 2009

Book review #6

Robert K. DeArment, author of such great historical works as Knights of the Green Cloth: The Saga of the Frontier Gamblers, Bat Masterson: The Man and the Legend, Deadly Dozen: Twelve Forgotten Gunfighters of the Old West, Alias Frank Canton, and more, is the gentleman who wrote one of my book back cover reviews. The delivery of his hard cover copy of the book was delayed due to shipping by media mail from Juneau which is taking longer than previously expected. To counter the delay I sent Mr. DeArment a signed soft cover of the book by Priority mail and will do the same when I recieve the hard bound. Upon receiving the book Mr. DeArment wrote me the following.

I have received the softcover copy of your book and am impressed by it. I thank you and look forward to receiving the signed hardbound copy. The wealth of pictures, which I had not seen in the manuscript copy I first read, add a great deal to the text. Your years of study and research have paid dividends. From this point on, any writer or researcher into the history of nineteenth century gamblers or con men must use your book as a primer.

Best wishes for your continued success,

Bob DeArment

Pinch me I must be dreaming...

November 3, 2009

Book review #5

After my new book was published I was nervous as hell about how the public would evaluate it. You have no idea how relieving it is to receive and read every single one thus far. I am ecstatically proud.

Jeff Brady, personal friend and owner of the Skagway News, sent this in today.

Hi Jeff
Just cracked your book, can't put it down - skimmed to the ending of course to see how you diagnosed the shooting (very thorough) and now am into the intros and the Georgia years. I'm impressed much the way Art was with how detailed and backed up your research is, and how you contrast it with the many stories told over the years. Very impressive at first sitting and can't wait to finish it. Congratulations friend Soapy! —Jeff Brady

PS to Art - the check's in the mail!

I'm going to assume the latter comment is another order as he had sold out his copies before receiving them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOAPY SMITH!

November 2, 2009

Auction update (First Bank of Skaguay)

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The location of Jeff Smith's Parlor Originally the First Bank of Skaguay
Photo by Art Petersen

On October 26, 2009 I posted a story about an eBay auction involving an 1897 signature book for the First Bank of Skaguay. That auction ended on this date with the book selling for $676.00.

Quick quotes...

Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters.

~African Proverb

Book review #4

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Alaska-Klondike gold rush

I received a very nice book review from a customer. With all the names listed in my book from previously unpublished letters and documents I anticipated a number of questions about Soapy's probable association with other infamous characters of the old west hence Bill's question regarding Billy Allen and William Allen. It is filed as a future research project.

"... I am nine chapters into "Alias Soapy Smith" and I have to say this is the most detailed biography that I have ever read. I find it fascinating to read all the details and see familiar names. I was wondering if the Billy Allen and William Allen are the same fellow who met with a bullet from Doc Holliday up in Leadville?"

—Bill "Bungalo Bill" Marq

November 1, 2009

Andy Thomas' The End of Soapy Smith

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The End of Soapy Smith
by Andy Thomas

I am very proud to announce the release of the awaited masterpiece painting by artist Andy Thomas, The End of Soapy Smith. On September 17, 2009 I posted the information regarding the artists plans to paint the Gunfight on Juneau Wharf at his Maze Creek Studio in Carthage, Missouri.

Andy Thomas and I poured over the historical information provided in my book, Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel and my large collection of photographs of the area and the people involved. This historic and monumental portrayal of the shootout between Jefferson Randolph Smith, alias Soapy Smith and Frank Reid is the most authentic portrayal I have ever seen. I said it before and I'll say it again, I can hardly contain my excitement for this painting! The terrible and fateful moments before my great-grandfather's empire in Skagway, Alaska on July 8, 1898 is reduced to history as Soapy Smith's criminal career as well as his life abruptly expires when a bullet pierces, his heart, is magnificently captured by the artist Andy Thomas. The painful agony in Frank Reid's face is felt and the jolting shock of instantaneous battle fully engulfs Soapy's face.

I am extremely proud to be a part of this project and very pleased to see the historic detail the artist chose to include, right down to the known position of all those involved and the illumination of gunfire upon the planks of the wharf directly below the combatants feet. The Irish employee of the newly arrived White Pass and Yukon Railway, Jesse Murphy, begins his advance towards the center of action and makes his own history seconds later by wrestling the rifle away from the wounded Soapy and shoots the unarmed "king of Skagway." At the same moment in the painting Soapy's men in the far background are stunned at the turn of events. W. H. Jackson can be seen to begin a rush to aid his fallen leader. Seconds later he aims his revolver at J. M. Tanner before fleeing the scene with the rest of his cohorts.

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Juneau Wharf

The historic detail that Mr. Thomas is evident to this historian. The wharf woodwork and railings took some close-up study. I would not be surprised to see the proper plank count. The back ground mountains as well as the frontier structures of 1898 Skagway are matched through the use of numerous period photographs.

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Jeff Brady as Soapy Smith and Ashley Smith,
the great-great-granddaughter of Soapy begin
the trek towards a reenactment of the gunfight.

The night-time sky appears to have been closely matched from a photograph I supplied the artist, taken at approximately 9:15 p.m. on July 8, 1998, the centennial of the gunfight.

In painting the historic characters Mr. Thomas used period photographs of the men involved. The only one that could not be properly depicted accurately was the Irishman, Jesse Murphy as no known photographs of the man exist. Frank H. Reid and Jefferson Randolph Smith II are nicely rendered, right down to Soapy's Spanish-American ascot tie received as a patriotic gift from an admiring Seattle woman. Comparing photographs clearly reveals the artist did his homework.

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J. M. Tanner

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Van Triplett