The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-05-12
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"SOAPY SMITH, CHANGES
HIS MIND
by Captain
G. Elliott Nightingale
Copyright, WNU

a MORE notorious political rack
4 \ eteer never lived than "Soapy"
Smith. For years he and his gang
sters did just as they please up and
down the west coast, and when
"Soapy" decided to hit for the Yu-
kon during the historically famous
gold rush, he took most of his gang
of ruffians, cut-throats and robbers
with him. Almost overnight
"Soapy" gained complete control of
Skagway, and soon the town was
wide open multiplied by ten.
Skagway's streets became battle
fields where provoked and unpro-
voked gunfghts occurred daily as
some of "Soapy's" rufians robbed
and plundered outgoing, well-heeled
goldrushers and incoming goldseek-
ers alike. At night, raucous voices
singing lewd and filthy songs were
augmented by cries of murder"
from the street. Might was right in
every sense of the word, meanwhile
all sorts of gyp-artists, card sharps,
confidence men, and shell-game
crooks robbed and plundered right
and left, keeping out of trouble be-
cause "Soapy," the Big Boss, had
arranged the police and judiciary
to suit himself.
tSoapy" and his ieutenants
planned and executed hundreds of
robberies and swindling schemes,
growing richer and more powerful
the while. Then came news the
Northwest Mounted Police were
about to escort about 100000 in
notes and gold from Lake Bennett
post, to Victoria, British Columbia,
via the port at Skagway. Surely
this was too juicy a plum for
"Soapy" and his gang to miss.
Moreover, up to this time, both
"Soapy" and his henchmen had
baked at any Sob" that might
make them step into Canadian ter
ritory. Even the reputedly daring
"Soapy" entertained a healthy re-
spect for the Men of the Mounted
Here was a job they could pull
right on American soil where, by
rights, the Men of the Mounted had
no business. And so "Soapy' and
his brain-trust sat down n d
schemed, planned and arranged for
every emergency. This was to be
the job of the decade. "Soapy"
organized an army of 100 we'll
armed men, engaged boats, and
planted scouts here and there; the
commissioner of the Yukon terri
tory babe good-by, and good luck,
to three Men of the Mounted, In
spector Wood and two constables.
Their load consisted of their own
personal kits, and the 5000, 1000.
After many anxious miles dur
ing which the three Men of the
Mounted followed the Skagway
trail, and nodded the time O. day
with furtive eyed rascals who
were evidently "Soapy's" scouts, In
spector Wood and his men arrived
at Dyea where they Immediately
boarded waiting rowboat and
were soon rowing out across the
bay. Hallway across several we'll
armed men in rather large row.
boat manned by half dozen stout
muscled oarsmen, did their best to
intimidate the Northwest Mounted
and made several attempts to bring
the two boats into a collision. In
spector Wood, handling the steer
ing oar, warned the ruffans to keep
their distance or he would fire upon
them, and, thus arguing back and
forth, the two boats finally crossed
the bay without any shootings or
drownings. Upon arrival at the
wharf, however, Inspector Wood
and his men received a rough and
tumble reception from almost a
hundred ruffians lined up and ready
for the big robbery. AS the Men of
the Mounted stepped to the wharf
carrying their $2O0,00O they were
tripped and jostled and pushed
about hither and yon as they tried
to make their way toward a small
steamer that lay alongside await
ing their coming. Kicked and
pushed and tripped and otherwise
held up and delayed, things began
to look really serious. The great
robbery was imminent. And then,
just when it seemed that the Men
of the Mounted were about to be
smothered by the mob, the captain
aboard the steamer footed the YES
sells horn, and instantly a score of
armed members of the Royal naval
reserve were over the side and
down among "Soapy's" gang. In
no time the Men of the Mounted and
their 100000 were snatched from
the mob and were aboard the
steamer.
''Soapy" Smith, surrounded by at
least a score of his most trusted
gunner, had Witnessed the whole
show from the deck of a tug that
was "treading water" nearby. Al
though he had seen his best plans
go haywire, he was still smiling or
sneering, when he opened up con-
versation with Inspector Wood.
Like ter have yer stay round
Skagway day er two, 'Spector,"
said "Soapy," 'it's a mighty nice
town y'kin have anything yer
want Name it an it's
yores. How bout it? 'Spector?"
THANK you, Mr.. Smith," the in
spector replied, coolly, "but l must
&C about my business. I'd advise
you to keep off Canadian territory
IN the future, as you have done, so
..