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Attention Smith family members!
Do you recognize this Smith?

"Unknown Smith, Sheridan, Missouri"

Please notify us here if you have any information on this "unknown Smith." It may all be just a coincidence but this photo was found in Felix Mulgrew's daughter Louise's keepsakes. The above photograph was sent in by Karen Hendricks along with her story about her gg-grandfather, Felix Mulgrew, who has a direct connection to Soapy.

New member of “Friends”
...with questions


Felix B. Mulgrew
1854-1915

Karen Hendricks is the gg-grandaughter of Felix B. Mulgrew. Mulgrew had some running correspondence with Soapy between May-November of 1897 and through Karen we are learning a little more about one of Jeff’s many friends.

On February 16, 2008 Karen wrote Jeff,

Hi,

I wrote a few days ago regarding my gg-grandfather Felix B. Mulgrew and his correspondence with Soapy Smith. I would still like to know where this correspondence could be found or microfilmed or photocopies or anything! I am more than willing to pay for them! 

I also misquoted my information on his champagne sale. That should have been to Swiftwater (not Wild) Bill Gates!

Thanks
 Karen Hendricks

Jeff responds,

Here is what we have right now. Jeff had just returned to St Louis to be with his family when on May 13, 1897 he wrote a letter to Felix B. Mulgrew in San Francisco. There is no record of that first letter Soapy had sent.

It is believed that Jeff had contacted Mulgrew for financial assistance in his quest to build an empire in Alaska during the start of the Klondike gold rush.Financing a trip to the gold fields was not cheap. In order to set up his operations in Alaska Jeff probably had to borrow money. I believe Soapy sent word out to potential financiers regarding his intentions of profiting from the stampede. Mulgrew had some money and was more than willing to financially back Jeff’s plans. From San Francisco, Mulgrew took a trip up to Spokane, Washington and loaned Jeff $3,500. Within a couple of months Mulgrew needed his loan paid back.

San Francisco, Nov. 29, 1897

Jeff R. Smith, Esq.:

Dear Sir – “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” I’m busted- up a stump, and about as desperate as you were when we first met. That Spokane trip cost me about $4,000, in all, including $3,500 I advanced you. When I got back and paid some debts, helped along some poor people, I soon found myself down to cases, or within a few hundred of being so. It was a case of “dig up,” again, so I started for the Klondike. A party here agreed to pay my wife and children $50 a month for a year, in consideration of a half-interest in what I located. Well, I didn’t get there. Our river boat broke down and we were frozen in at the mouth of the Yukon. I had to borrow money to get back to Frisco.

I don’t know which way to turn. As I had about $7,000 only a few months ago, those who knew me naturally think I ought to have money now. I don’t know anybody I can borrow of, and I must raise at least $200, but actually need $300. Hell is to pay all around. If I had $200 to $300 I would get on my feet and pull out. I have a chance to book 100 people for Dawson at $300 each, including 1,000 lbs. of provisions, besides transportation. That would give me $30,000. I can get a 150 ton boat, to carry 100 passengers, delivered at St. Michael, for $20,000. Such a boat would give 100 tons freight capacity, aside from the 50 tons allotment to passengers, and at 5 cents per lbs. I can take in $10,000 from freight. Thus I would take in about $40,000, while $30,000 would pay for the boat, grub, etc. That would clear the boat and give about $10,000 in cash, and to that could be added what the boat would earn next year on the river. I would let her freeze up somewhere near Dawson and use her for a hotel for 8 or 9 months. I have two or three capitalists on the string for this plan, but that is for the future. I’m dead broke now, and I want you to be my friend if it breaks a leg – or breaks somebody else.

My wife often speaks of “Dr.” Smith and always says: “Jeff will pay you when he prospers.” I feel sure you will too, but a little now is an absolute need.

In Seattle recently I heard you had been in town and was flush. I met Mr. Thompson, who told me you had gone to Nashvill (sic). I wired you there, to the track. I am sending this letter to Mr. Thompson to forward, as he probably knows your address. For the gods’ sake do not disappoint me. My wife sends best wishes for your happiness.

Yours truly,

H. B. [F. B.] Mulgrew

The above letters were published with a number of other letters in an article entitled, Correspondence of a Crook,  January, 1907 and February, 1908. (100 years ago). It was later republished in Alaska-Yukon Magazine, October 1908. p. 385-386. The spelling of Mulgrew was published in both as H. B. Mulgrew but Karen Hendricks showed Jeff Mulgrew’s signature and it was clear that the “F” could easily be mistaken for an “H.”

Karen had already figured out on her own that the letter might be published in the booklet, Correspondence of a Crook, and ordered it.

Karen adds insight to Mulgrew,

My gg-grandfather was born in San Francisco in 1854. About 1856 the family moved to Healdsburg, but did live for a time in San Francisco after that. In 1876 he and his brother John F. Mulgrew started the "Healdsburg Enterprise." They sold the newspaper a few years later and Felix went on to dabble in real estate, being a newspaper reporter and served a term as a representative for Sonoma county. He and his brother John didn't seem to be able to settle down in one town or job, they were always on the go! We know that Felix was involved in the Klondike gold rush as his name appears on the Klondike rolls and on the 1900 census, his name appears on board ship in Alaska. After 1900 though, it is hard to track him. We know he was involved in the Alaska Transportation Company from the article about his dealings with Swiftwater Bill Gates. In 1906 he was touring the gold mines of Nevada and was involved in the sale of the Esmeralda mine. He died in 1915 at one of his daughter's home.

He had two daughters, Flora and Louise and one son, Martin. Flora is my great-grandmother. The wife referred to in one letter, would be his second wife, Blanche.

I have attached a few files. One is of a letter written to one of Flora's sons. As you can see from the signature, it is very easy to mistake his "F" as an "H." So I whole-heartedly believe the H. B. Mulgrew is really F. B. Mulgrew. There is no one in California with the surname Mulgrew at that time that has a first name that begins with the letter "H."

I look forward to your replies and will look over the Friends of Soapy Smith info.  I have been to Skagway a couple of times and have friends who live in Alaska so have always felt a connection to that area.

Karen Hendricks

Welcome to Friends of Bad man Soapy Smith Karen.

Jeff wishes to add that Karen is the very first person to donate $20 to the fund. We are grateful and hope others will follow suit. The donation button (at top) is a brand new feature here. Funds collected will go towards keeping this website operating as well as a host of suggestions that are coming in, including,

• the upkeep of Soapy's grave.
• the repainting of the huge Soapy Skull on the hillside over looking the Skagway Bay.
• Sponsorship of the Soapy Wake held annually at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.