The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1898-08-17
KILLED IN ALASKA.
UNIQUE COMBINATION OF VIRTUE
AND CRIME.
Checkered Career of "SOapy" smith,
Plunger and Gambler Kind Hus.
band and Father and Honest
Public Official.

PuDIlC UIIlclal.
News was received here yesterday of
the killing of "Soapy' Smith, the old
time Louisville sport and plunger, in
Skaguay, Alaska. He was shot and al
most instantly killed by City Surveyor
Reid on July9.
jeff, or 'Soapy," as he was better
known, was unique com bination OF viz
tue and crime. He was the kind husband
and father, the charitable citizen and
h meet public official and the "sure
thing" man, ever ready to lure men to
his den and win from them their earn
Ings.
He made Louisville his stamping
ground for years, and was at one time
one of the best-known characters in the
city. He was a terror in the gambling
halls and pOol-rooms and was frequently
known to have made winnings amount
ing to $4,000. He was a 'true blue"
plunger, aud for years was familiar fig
ure at the race course here.
Smuh began his tempestuous career in
St. Louis. His full name was Jefferson
Randolph Smith lie earned his sou0ri-
quet If 'Soapy" from the fact that when
in hard luck he would 90 to different
towns and earn money by selling soap on
the street corners. When he had dis
posed OF 400 OF 800 bars of soap he would
rush from the stand and catch train
from the city. A well known sporting
man says that Smith sold over 1000
worth of soap in Louisville during one
month in 1885.
He always came to Kentucky during
the fair season and made tour of thu
state, selling soap and fleeing the coun-
trymen. He was last in Louisville five
years ago. He left with over $4,000 in
lis pockets. He spent money freely, ami
was kndhearted and generous.
He first became famous by story that
he had protected the life of Bloody Bri-
dies Waite, then governor of Colorado.
The story was that single handed and
armed only with a shotgun he kept an
entire company of infantry at bay A
few months ago he repeated his feat at
Skaguay, when he protected a bartender
who had shot two or three men from
the fury of mob until the arrival of the
United States marshal from Sitka. AS
a United States marshal, Smith was res
olute tn his enforcement of The law, and
in 1891 he cleared out the crooks in
Creede and placed the camp in the hands
of the4aw and order people.
When Smith went TO Alaska, however.
he became another man. Gathering some
thirty of the most hardened and desper-
ate men about him he proceeded to take
affairs into his own hands.
According TO the story received here.
he opened saloon on the main street of
Skaguay. 1t was called "Jetf Smiths
Parlors," and here his gang had head
quarters.
Naually, there We're ugly rumors
about Smith and his "ParlOrs," apd the
more reputable c!tiz5ns gave the place
wide Delth, but, in spite of this, the per-
sOnalty of the man was strong enough
TO stitie the ill-feeling against him.
On memorial day Smith delivered the
address at the celebration in memory of
the soldier dead, and on the Fourth of
July he acted as chief marshal of the pa
rade. Up to this time no deed of vio-
lence had actually been brought home to
Smith and his gang, but when, on July
s, miner named Stewart was robbed of
81 $40 in the saloon by a carefully de.
Vised plan the evidence against the
gang was so conclusive that the citizens
resolved to protest against such lawless-
ness.
Smith attempted to overcome the ris-
ing tide of public sentiment. Ali day he
walked the streets, daring the citizens
TO attempt to down him. In the evening.
when more than 300 men had gathered
to organize a vigilance committee, he
walked down to the dock alone with his
Winchester thrown across his arm to
dlsperse the riotiug.
Az The wharf he was met by City Sur
Veyor Reid, who was on guard. During
the scu1le that followed Smiths rifle
WAS discharged and Reid was wounded.
To save his life the official drew his re-
voiyer aud shot Smith twice. One bul.
let passed through his heart, killing him
Instantly.
Smith left property in st. Louis that
is said to be valued at 500, 000.-Louis-
willie Courier Journal.
4 Great ROnk Ernnf