History Daily: Con Man Soapy Smith is Shot Dead

Episode Release Date: July 8, 2025
Host: Lindsey Graham
Podcast: History Daily
Platform: Airship | Noiser | Wondery

Introduction

On this episode of History Daily, host Lindsey Graham delves into the life and demise of Jefferson Randolph Smith II, better known as Soapy Smith—a notorious con man of the Wild West. From his humble beginnings in Texas to his rise and fall in Denver and Skagway, Alaska, this episode uncovers the intricate schemes and eventual downfall of one of history’s most infamous swindlers.

Early Schemes: The Birth of Soapy Smith

[04:51]

Jeffrey Randolph Smith II, affectionately nicknamed Jeff, started his journey into the world of deception in the late 1870s at a carnival in San Antonio, Texas. A teenage cowhand tired of the grueling cattle work, Jeff sought diversion through the allure of sideshows. It was here that he encountered a man adept at performing the shell game—a classic con where a pea is hidden under one of three walnut shells.

Despite repeated losses, Jeff’s determination led him to recognize the potential of such cons. “Losing his entire month's wages in this shell game doesn't leave Jeff dejected. Instead, he'll be inspired,” Graham narrates, highlighting the pivotal moment that transformed Jeff into a master con artist.

Ascending in Denver: Master of the Con

[04:51]

After leaving Texas, Jeff traveled across the West, honing his skills under seasoned grifters. Settling in Leadville, Colorado, he learned the "soap scam," a deceptive sales tactic involving fraudulent soap sales. Relocating to Denver, a booming mining town, Jeff established his first major operation.

“As more people gather around him, he promotes the miraculous properties of the soap he has for sale in the display case,” Graham explains how Jeff captivated Denver’s populace. His soap scams often included wrapped currency notes, enticing gullible customers to believe they could win significant cash prizes. These schemes flourished until Jeff's arrest for selling soap without a license—a mistake that inadvertently christened him "Soapy."

Under the mentorship of Doc Bags, Soapy expanded his repertoire, orchestrating crooked card games, fraudulent lotteries, and fake auctions. “It's an education that Soapy will put to full use,” notes Graham, emphasizing how Soapy mastered the art of deception to accumulate wealth and influence.

Expansion to Skagway: The Klondike Gambit

[11:47]

In pursuit of greater opportunities, Soapy Smith ventured to Skagway, Alaska, amidst the Klondike Gold Rush. The influx of stampeders provided fertile ground for his cons. However, his operations soon led to severe conflicts, notably with Andy McGrath, a laborer who accused Soapy’s saloon of poisoning his drink and robbing him of $140.

“Andy knows that someone like Soapy is behind what's happened to him, and he shouts it at the top of his lungs,” Graham recounts the escalating tension that culminated in violence. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of both Andy and the U.S. marshal who attempted to mediate, plunging Skagway into chaos.

Soapy's attempts to salvage his reputation—including clandestine financial support to the marshal's widow and relocating the bartender accused of the shootings—proved insufficient. “When news of John's acquittal reaches Skagway, some of its citizens only renew their commitment to ending the town's growing crime problem,” illustrating the community's growing resolve against Soapy's criminal empire.

The Final Showdown: Soapy's Demise

[17:34]

By 1898, Soapy's unchecked swindling in Skagway had irked the local populace to breaking point. A group known as the Committee of 101 organized a decisive meeting to dismantle his operations. Ignoring invitations, Soapy attempted to disrupt the meeting, leading to a tense standoff at the town docks.

“Soapy sneers at Frank, and the two men exchange insults, and then shots ring out,” narrates Graham, detailing the fatal confrontation. Soapy was shot through the heart during the altercation, marking the violent end of his reign.

Following his death, his associates fled or were apprehended, and the community mourned the loss of Frank Reed, the U.S. marshal fatally wounded in the shootout. “Soapy Smith won't be remembered so fondly in the town, but his reputation will live on elsewhere as one of the most prolific con men of the Old West,” concludes Graham, encapsulating Soapy’s lasting infamy.

Legacy and Conclusion

Soapy Smith’s life story is a testament to the allure and peril of deception during the American Wild West era. From a young cowhand entranced by quick riches to a feared and respected con man, Soapy's tactics and charisma left an indelible mark on the towns he swindled and the annals of history.

“His brazen acts of deception were only brought to an end by his violent death in a shootout,” reflects Lindsey Graham, summarizing Soapy's complex legacy as both a cunning entrepreneur and a ruthless criminal.

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History Daily is produced by Noiser and Airship, bringing you true stories of the past that shaped our present.