Arizona republican., 1898-07-29
CLEANSING SKAGUAY.
HfIIina of -<Soapy" Smith Gives Law
 Proper Chance.

M6dQOWS, D. S., Juiy 1O.- Especial correspondence of The Re publican 1.-The first shipment of gold from Dawson arrived at Bonnet yester- day. It only amounted to $500,OOO, but it is definitely stated that the amount of gold to come out will be very large The men who arrived seventeen in number-were close mouthed and in a hurry. They went by Dyea and were evidently in dread of hold-up.
 They wouldn't talk much but they were emphatic in saying that reports of the wealth of the Klondyke region had not been xaggerated-hardly could be exaggerated. Twenty million dollars are ready to come out. So small an amount of gold came out on this trip, because it was, to many. doubtful that steamer could success fully make return trip. This having been demonstrated the larger ship ments of bullion may be expected this way; since from Dawson to Skaguay or Dyea is now but a trip of eight days.
 After that-not the flood, but the rush. In other places people say.
 When my ship comes in." Here we say. When the rush comes"
 A very commendable tragedy was en- acted at Skaguay yesterday. Soapy Smith was shot to death by good citizen named Reed-the city engineer Three men passed through here a couple of days ago and stopped at the camp for dinner They told me about the arrival of gold from Dawson and they showed such a knowledge Of sKlondyke affairs that 1 asked them if they were not of the party that had come out This they denied, and there shut up like oysters.
 They went on to Skaguay and were met by some of Soapy's boosters who offered to pilot them to a place where they could sell their dust to good ad- vantage. They proceeded, lamb-like. to the back room of Soapy's der and were there held up and relieved Of $4,0DU.
 The citizens, upon hearing of this, became greatly wrought up; held an indignation meeting and denounced Smith and his gang most vigorously. This has been done before, and the whole matter would probably have blown over as quickly as usual had not Soapy lost his head and attempted ac- tive resentment.
 He walked boldly into the meeting and up to Reed. who was just then speaking very plainly about the chief bunco steerer. He hit Reed over the head with a gun, then shot him twice Reed drew and shot Soapy dead. Reed s wounds are said not to be dangerous The United States marshal was then given tWenty-four hours to leave town The crowd was anxious to lynch him, but cooler councils prevailed. Then began hunt for bunco men. They were rounded up from all parts of the town and will be sent to Sitka for trial and it is to be hoped long imprison- ment.
 The operations of this gang have been bold to degree that would have been impossible, save for official con- n1Vance. Of course games were always going in their headquarters, but a stranger was not allowed to bet unless he showed his money-showed that he mad 1t to bet. Then gun was placed at the back of his head, his money calmly taken out of his hand, and he was turned loose to do as he pleased. Complaints to the marshal did no good He always found it impossible to dis cover the culprits.
 Soapy has enjoyed a long career of ziniquity. He is said to have killed eighteen men. But by his cleverness and a liberal system of divy-up, he has managed to escape serious conse quences heretofore. On one occasion he was brought before a certain judge to answer charge of playing a sure thing game-the old soap game, from which he got his name. The judge was inclined to be severe. But Soapy beg ged to show his honor the game, and agreed to abide by his honor's decision