Soapy Smith

Washington Post / November 3, 1907

HIS BOLD ATTEMPT TO STOP AN INDIGNATION MEETING SINGLE-HANDED ADDED TWO GRAVES TO CEMETERY.

[From the New York Evening Post.]

Many versions of the dramatic end of “Soapy” Smith and the subsequent cleanup of his gang in Skagway have been written, but it is probable that the facts have never been brought to light in all their details. Recently, W. H. Welsh, Superintendent of the Canadian Detective Bureau, who was instrumental in cleaning up the gang, told the story this way:

The chief actor in the drama was Jeff Smith, universally known as “Soapy.” His record included almost every known brand of swindle from gold-bricking to

Washington Post / August 14, 1898

Odd Traits of the Gambler Who Was Killed in Skaguay.

From the San Francisco Examiner.

A man of contradictory characteristics was Jefferson Randolph (“Soapy”) Smith, who perished in his boots the other day while attempting to maintain his self-conferred director generalship of Skaguay’s destinies.

“Soapy’s” power as a leader of ruffians was attained through his ability to accurately measure men at a glance and to adapt his method to meet any exigency. Sincere only in his basic purpose to scare or cajole, he could assume at will the reckless bravado of the frontier bully or the subtle finesse of the business

View full size. Two Skagway docks near where Soapy Smith was killed in 1898.

Skaguay, Alaska, Feels the Strong Grip of Military Rule.

Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette / July 23, 1898

Juneau, Alaska, July 17, by Steamer Al-Ki to Departure Bay, July 28 -- The town of Skaguay is still under martial law, and all saloons are closed. Twenty-six men who have been bound over by the United States commissioner have been taken to Sitka. County Surveyor Reid, who killed "Soapy" Smith recently, received a