T he most comprehensive biography of jefferson randolph soapy smith ever written. Recommend to those interested in a real the life of a real con man. Jefferson randolph soapy smith ii is the main antagonist of the 1980 jack london film klondike fever. The story of smiths assault on john hughes seems to signal the beginning of the end.
Soapy smith forgotten heroes book 3 by stanley sauerwein. One of the most notorious con men and swindlers of the old west was a man known as soapy smith, who perpetrated most of his nefarious deeds in colorado and alaska but who got his start in texas before he was ever known as soapy. This is an extension of my book, a lias soapy smith, the life and death of a scoundrel, with the purpose of publishing new research, correcting mistakes and spotlight items of interest regarding american bad man, jefferson randolph soapy smith. Alias smith and jones is an american western television series that originally aired on abc from january 1971 to january 1973. Known as the king of the frontier confidence men he was beyond comparison the most artful grifter of his time. His story is a fascinating one, one that you, having only so much space, have only touched on. He was a major figure in organized crime in colorado and skagway, alaska he was born in coweta county, georgia. Hannibal heyes and kid curry, two of the most wanted outlaws in the history of the west, are popular with everyone except the railroads and the banks. Jefferson randolph soapy smith ii november 2, 1860 july 8, 1898 was an american con artist and gangster in the american frontier smith operated confidence schemes across the western united states, and had a large hand in organized criminal operations in both colorado and the district of alaska. This new biography of jefferson randolph smith ii, alias soapy, is written by a greatgrandson of the subject, jeff smith. He was born jefferson randolph smith ii in georgia to a prosperous and educated family. Alas smith and jones is a british comedy sketch television series featuring mel smith and griff rhys jones that ran for four series and two christmas specials on bbc2 from 1984 to 1988, and later as smith and jones for six series on bbc1 from 1989 to 1998. After that i would suggest my one website page on the fight here, and then there is the wikipedia page.
He was the subject of a 1994 book by okelleys greatgreatniece. Alias soapy smith by jeff smith, 9780981974309, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. But soapy was a pretty smallcaliber outlaw compared to, say, billy the kid. According to beckmann, alexander was a conman as well as a stage performer. Fitzhugh lee was a general during the civil war, but soapy was honoring lee, the american consul general based in havana, cuba alias soapy smith p. Home buy the book preservation trust blog discussion forum history part 1 history part 2 history part 3 history part 4 art of a gunfight soapys. After his 24 years of research and writing, it is hard to imagine a more comprehensive biography of soapy smith ever being published. In this book, from georgia to texas, from denver and the silver and gold boom towns of colorado, to mexico and the western states to the great northwest, and to the last frontier, alaska, you will travel with soapy smith to his criminal empires and final bold, deadly showdown with vigilantes.
The life and death of a scoundrel, the biography of jefferson randolph smith ii august 2, 2016 by matt miller. Alias soapy smith is a fantastic read, and incredibly well researched, i purchased my copy directly from the author when first realeased, who also provided additional information about soapy smith. Smith gained notoriety through his prize soap racket, in which hed sell bars of soap. Smith in, alias soapy smith the life and death of a scoundrel. Home, buy the book what others say sources presentations links contact us about. To follow up on this subject, his greatgrandson and namesake, jeff smith, has graciously agreed to answer some questions here, about his search for truth regarding his famous ancestor.
He is also the boss of will ryan and the soap gang. The hobby has since expanded to over twenty figures, lots of smalls props, and several book shelves of themed dioramas, including the inside saloon of jeff smiths parlor, outside denver scene, and soapys office. There may be more biographies of soapy smith to come but none will flash the resources, research, or passion of alias soapy smith. I am a greatgrandson of the real soapy smith, the 19th century bad man of colorado and alaska fame. The most comprehensive biography of jefferson randolph soapy smith written thus far. Jeff smith, a greatgrandson of soapy smith, adapted this article from his biography alias soapy smith. An author once told my father that a film about soapy smith would be a mix between butch cassidy and the sundance kid and the sting. My favorite soapy figure is my first creation, based on his time in skagway, alaskan, 18961898, seen being created on this page. Honky tonk was a great film, however a remake should have a different title, say, alias soapy smith, lol. The life and death of a scoundrel by jeff smith covid19 update.
For other people with the same name, see jefferson smith disambiguation. Alias soapy smith belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the old west, the klondikealaskan gold rush, early alaskan history, denver political history, or the study of consmanship and. By any chance, have you read my book, alias soapy smith. There is a ton more to his story than what you can find anywhere else.
His most famous scam, the prize package soap sell racket, presented him with the sobriquet of soapy, which remained with him to his death although he traveled and operated his confidence swindles all across the. Colorado con man soapy smith died an alaskan legend. This is the definitive, old west centered, fully documented biography of soapy smith. In my family we have a saying, if you have a skeleton in your closet, you might as well make him dance. Jefferson randolph soapy smith ii november 2, 1860 july 8, 1898 was an american con. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. The admiration for roosevelt, montana hunting and all things outdoors is evident in dan aadlands wellwritten in trace of tr. Alias soapy smith belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the old west, the klondikealaskan gold rush, early alaskan history, denver political history, or the study of consmanship and gambling at the turn of the 20th century.
The life and death of a scoundrel, is the absolute best for details of that fateful gunfight, if you wish to know the details. Another man who sacrificed for his country was theodore roosevelt. If youre interested in the details of soapys illustrious life and i do mean details. A colorful historical character, soapy smith, provided a great story from the old west, and considerable food for thought in my previous blog entry.
Jeff smith is the greatgrandson of jefferson randolph soapy smith ii. Devoted to the latter 19th century confidence man, gambler and criminal kingpin. This is the blog of the soapy smith preservation trust. He was killed in a shootout in skagway when he was 37 references. There is more than one author in the goodreads database with this name.
I have a website, a blog and a new biography on the true life and death of this amazing bad man, alias soapy smith. Alias soapy smith by jeff smith is a massive biography of a notorious outlaw of denver, colorado, and skagway, alaska. I first met jefferson randolph soapy smith while doing research about the goldrush era town of skagway, alaska. Jefferson randolph soapy smith ii november 2, 1860 july 8, 1898 was a con artist, saloon and gambling house proprietor, gangster, and crime boss of the 19thcentury old west. The life and death of a scoundrel 2009, which is suggested for further reading. The life and death of a scoundrel paperback january 1, 2009 by jeff smith author 4. An extraordinary confidence man, gambler, and allaround bad man is set against the carefully researched historical times of the evolving old west. Smith is a major character in the 1986 novel the great alone by janet dailey. Soapysmith 106 points 107 points 108 points 1 month ago i ordered one of these on sep 28, got a notice that it shipped on oct 7, as of oct 9 ups tracking says it never left, all they did was print the label, but it still hasnt shipped. Alexander himself claimed that he was involved in the shooting of alaska gold rush conman, jefferson soapy smith, although no evidence exists nor is he mentioned in the context of smiths death in the thorough historical biography on smiths life and death. With ben murphy, roger davis, pete duel, walt davis. He is a notorious con artist and gambler who is abusive to dogs and has a reputation for having a major criminal operation in colorado and alaska.
See more ideas about soapy smith, alaska and skagway alaska. In tracing trs hunting treks, the author tracks elk, much as the 26th president once did, through the rugged big horn mountains and the absaroka wilderness. I spent 25 years researching and writing the life and murderous death of one of the wests most infamous, and some say often unfairly maligned, masters of the criminal arts and naturalborn. By 1895, jefferson soapy smiths denver organization was losing ground to the blonger bros. I might be a little biased thought, as i am a greatgrandson of soapy. Summary this new biography of jefferson randolph smith ii, alias soapy, is written by a greatgrandson of the subject, jeff smith. Firearms figure only occasionallyalbeit significantly when they doin jefferson randolph smith iis life of. In the case of soapy smith it took about a century, but indeed truth has come to light.
Jefferson randolph soapy smith ii november 2, 1860 july 8, 1898 was an american confidence trickster and gangster. Great grandson, jeff smith, tells the tale of jefferson r. Soapy smith simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. As a crime lord soapy organized a large and powerful gang of talented scoundrels and rogues in order to assume control of the criminal underworlds in denver and creede. The infamous soapy smith was a late 19th century american old west confidence man and gambler par excellence. The biography of jefferson randolph smith ii, widely known as soapy, who was one of denvers and the wests most notorious con men, consumes a staggering 592 pages. In her introduction, these are the only scholarly treatments of soapy smith that cathy spude found worthy of mention. The life and legacy of the wild wests most infamous con artist kindle edition by charles river editors. Edward capehart okelley october 1, 1857 january, 1904 was the man who murdered robert ford, who had killed the famous outlaw jesse james to receive a bounty. The life and death of a scoundrelthis comprehensive biography of an extraordinary confidence man, gambler, and organizer of confidence men is set against the carefully researched historical times of the evolving old west. The life and death of a scoundrel alias soapy smith. How fun it would have been to meet soapy smith duck. Her book king con chronicles one jefferson randolph soapy smith, and his various criminal operations.
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