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"To differentiate mythology from fact"





"We are not proud of what he did
but rather of what he left behind."
- Jeff Smith
 
The Soapy Smith Preservation Trust is a sanctioned voice for the Smith family* regarding Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith. The website, Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith, is a subsidiary and the official mouthpiece of the foundation, whose main purpose is for the distribution of information in regards to Soapy Smith. 

The family established the Soapy Smith Preservation Trust to:
  • Represent the descendants viewpoint
  • Preserve and disseminate the factual history
  • Correct misinformation and curtail intentional fabrications


History

The Trust was originally formed in 1985 under the name, the Soapy Smith Collection, whose membership consisted of family members who had inherited the main portions of the family artifacts and documents.  In June 2006 it was expanded and renamed to accommodate all members of the Smith family with an interest in the history of the entire bloodline.


Why a Trust? 

It is very likely Soapy Smith kept most, if not all, of his correspondences, personal, business documents and letters. These have been preserved by members of the Smith family. Inclusive, the family has invested over one hundred years in researching and investigating the life of this infamous bad man. Being the primary and foremost source of information we therefore feel we should be recognized in the historical community as the leading voice on the factual events of Soapy Smith's life.

 

Officers
Jeff Smith, President
Geri Murphy, Vice President
Ellen Rafeedie, Family History Director
Erik Andersen, Family History Vice Director
Jeanie Shaftner, Newnan, Georgia Family Site Curator
John “Grub” Culligan, Historical Weapons Analyst
Board of Trustees
James Smith, Senior Manager
Mildred "Bunny" Godard
Consultants
Art Petersen
Cheryl Jenkins


*The Trust does not claim to represent 100% of the Smith family







Please Help us stay afloat with a donation!
Funds to go towards needful concerns 
such as the upkeep of this website and 
the care of Soapy's grave.
Membership Request

Become a member of The Friends of Soapy Smith and receive up-to-date information on history and modern events as they pertain to Soapy and the rest of the Smith family. This is all by email. You don't need to be a family member; just interested in Soapy Smith's history. Best of all it's FREE! In fact, if you join today we will give you the one dollar bill below!

cut along line

good absolutly nowhere



To  Do

A list of things to think and ponder

  • Start a fund drive for maintenance of the Soapy Smith Skull on the rocks by the wharf.
  • Start a fund drive for maintenance of the Soapy grave site. [in process]
  • DNA testing on Soapy's lock of hair on display at the Alaska State museum in Juneau.
  • DNA on blood taken from the ascot/tie worn by Soapy the night of the shooting (July 8 1898). On display in the city museum, Skagway, Alaska.