Soapy Smith: A Very Bad Man

Hello, "History Guy." I am a great grandson of Soapy, as well as the author of Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel. While my family always appreciates people talking about Soapy, unfortunately, I noted right from the start that you used long outdated material. For instance, right at the start you talk about Soapy being a cowboy on a cattle drive. This was dis-proven decades ago. He was never a cowboy. The idea that he was one, comes from the poem, "Jeff & Joe," written in 1892. It's been since confirmed, via letters and from Soapy's own notebooks, that he got into sales in Texas, and moved into "cheap John" work, the equivalent of a jam-auction today.

My depression era grandparents would laughingly call me “Soapy Smith” when I was telling a tall-tale...I finally know why 🤣🤣🤣🤣

When history guy said, he needed to find a place where a conman wouldn't have to keep moving on, I thought he was going to say Washington DC

HILARIOUS! I haven't thought about the name Soapy Smith in about 40 years... But I saw this video's title, and it reminded me that 'Soapy Smith' was the nickname that my Grandfather (who was in his 80s in the 1970s) used for ME when I was little. I always asked, "don't you mean SNUFFY SMITH"? And Grandpa would say "nope... Soapy was much worse" and then he'd always laugh. Thank for the great memory!

There used to be a bar in downtown Denver named Soapy Smith's. I visited there frequently when I was a younger man but never knew the meaning behind the name. The title of your video here caught my eye. Thank you for bringing this story to me!

I miss this: "Hi, I'm the History Guy; I have a degree in history and I LOVE HISTORY! If you love history too, then this is the channel for you."

I'd say the History Guy has given Jeff Smith the kind of remembrance he deserved, a cautionary tale.

When I was in Skagway I was told that the miners were required to have a specific weight in supplies to proceed to the gold fields. The beginning of that route was the photo you had of that long line of miners trudging up the hill. They could not possibly carry all those supplies up the hill all in one trip. Soapy stole what they left behind and then sold it back to them for their return trips. Yes, he’s a true legend in Skagway.

A great story teller this History Guy. Another long lost art in America. Keep up the good work and hopefully inspire others to continue in your footsteps. Its priceless. Just sit and listen!

All history, good and bad, deserves to be remembered....totally agree Mr. History Guy! 🍻

On my Soapy Smith websites I have the following quote: "Upon the world he made his mark, and from him we learn how not to be one."

I watch this in the U.K. ON June 23rd 2020. How wonderful to hear, in a different context during your introduction, that history should be remembered if only that we might not repeat it.

0:49 I love that word "Scoundrel"!!!! It's so old timey and such a damn good description that cannot be replaced by any other word to more accurately describe a certain individual or group of individuals

I study genealogy for the same reason you study history: it deserves to be remembered. In my family tree, I found a great-grandfather who was, by any account, not a good person. By studying him -- and what he did to my great-grandmother -- I could better understand the life decisions that my grandfather and my father made.

I was waiting for him to con someone out of a boat. Every good story has a pirate...

I like the way you addressed the small detail of Soapys beginnings after his grandson commented, the fact that you could be open to correction when additional information is provided is the sign of a good youtuber, great stuff.

I love this feed.... I hope it survives though this period of time when everyone is trying to erase history ?. “ ALL HISTORY NEEDS TO BE REMEMBERED!!!” Can’t change the past .

In my eyes, history is never boring. It is our best teacher. Good video Mr History Guy!!

We were in Skagway in 2016 on the anniversary of Soapy's death. They remember him annually by toasting him at the town pubs and then, after an appropriate amount of fluid refreshment, everyone heads to his graveside and urinates on his grave. Unfortunately our cruise ship left before we were able to "honour his memory" with the locals. Would have been fun.

Wow, as a native Coloradan, this was a great story to hear. Having been born in Denver, been to Leadville and been to Skagway, a very informative story indeed. Thank you again!!!