The Bascomb Smith Letter Here is a complete letter written by Bascomb Smith in November of 1895. Bascomb is in the Denver county jail for his participation in the attempted murder of John Hughes a saloon proprietor. Bascomb's education was very limited as you will be able to see when you try to read this letter. Corrections and guesses are in the [blue] brackets. We lined up the sentences as closely as possible to the letter so the reader can follow along with our deciphering work. The reader is invited to add guess work to what Bascomb was trying to write. Interesting to note that Bascomb did not sign his name with the "b" at the end, whereas birth and early records indicate his parents and family did           Denver, Colo. Nov. 18, 1895 Dear Bro Jeff,                      I thought I would write to you.  I have writen Severl [several] times but never got aney ancer [any answer.] I gest [just] Received a letter From Emie [Emmie] and Eava [Eva,] it is to bad Bob Emies [Emmies'] Husband has lost his mind and is in Jail at Beltan [Texas] and our too [two] Sisters are in a very bad fix[.]  if I was out or ever get out I could help them to get along Som [some] way for Criest [Christ] sake if you can go there or can do any thing for them do it for they are in a bad fix[.]  if I had aney [any] money I would Send it to them if it was the Last I had but I have not got aney [any] money not one cent and in a very bad fix my self[,] but I may get out some time and if I do I will go to hard labor Rether [rather] and to see my own Blood Suffer for aney [any] thing[.] I have lernt [learned] a very dear leson [lesson] but I think it will be a good thing for me[.]  I Saw Mr. Clay and he said he got a tellorgram [telegram] from you[.] he said he would do aney [any]thing he cold [could] to get me out but you know how that is[.]  that may be the last of it[.] the grand jury found another Bill agent [against] me[.]  I will go out to plead not Saladay [guilty?] to Salt [assault] and Entent [intent] ...[to] Kill[.]  I don't Know how I will come out[.] Every thing goes wrong and it would not serprise [surprise] me if I get in the pen before they get thrugh [through] with me[.]  ald [alderman] Deneson was fired out of office a day or two ago[.]  he...[won't?] have the pleasur...[e of] proscuting [prosecuting] me any way[.]  I said to Clay that I herd [heard] you was coming back[.]  he said he would be glad to see you…[again?] the grand jury found a bill agent [against] Sam Blonger for obtaning [obtaining] stolen goods[.]  it was about a check I got him to get the money out for me when you had the Joint over Solmons Pawn Shop[.]  the check was for Six Hundard dollars[.]  Sopose [suppose] you rember [remember] it[.]  Bowers and Jackson won it so they want me for a witness[.] what would you do if you was around[.] I dont [don't] Know of aney [any] more to write so I will close[.]  from your Bro [Brother] Bascom Smith            Cor County Jail Use the links below, or see all  pages available in the side-bar on your left Back To Top - Home - History Part 1 What's New - Soapy's Wake - Contact Us Play The Shell Game - Links - Site Map  Do Not Use Images without prior written consent from Jeff Smith