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The Smith family wishes to extend their gratitude to Whit Haydn, Jim Richards, Jeff Brady and all the people
who have organized and supported the Wakes in memory of Jefferson R. Smith.
Thank you!
110th Anniversary
Soapy Smith Wake
July 12, 2008
109th Anniversary
Soapy Smith Wake
July 8, 2007
| "It's a sure-thing!" |
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| Ashley Smith operates the chuck-a-luck table, 2007 |
| Members of the "Friends of Soapy Smith" |
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| "German Pete" and "Minnisota" are long time attendees |
The 4th annual
109th anniversary Soapy Smith Wake at the Magic Castle was an absolute success! Thanks to Whit Haydn and the Magic Castle.
Was there any doubt?
The wake was
held downstairs of the Magic Castle in the W.C. Fields bar, and it was packed solid with several hundred reenactors in 19th
century clothing and guests in three-piece suits. The $5.00 entrance included play money for gambling at the faro tables and
a brochure on Soapy and how to play faro. The money collected was donated to the Magic Castles, Dia Vernon Charity Fund. Guests
were also invited to purchase numerous auction items, including a small wood chip off the original grave marker, beautifully
displayed in a shadow box. The chip sold for $80. There were bars of souvenir Soapy soap and Soapy Smith posters for purchase.
In the planning stages, we were hoping to have one faro table, but were fortunate enough to have four! All of which were busy
the whole night long. They were owned and operated by reenactors and collectors, so the players were not only instructed on
the play, but given a full character portrayal at each table. At one table Wyatt Earp was dealing, while at another, you might
find a "drunken" Doc Holiday. They were all very entertaining. The guest who won the most "money" at the
end of the night was awarded one of the Soapy grave marker chips in a shadow box. An $80
value, according to this years auction.
| Many guests dress the part |
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| Soapy, Wyatt, Morg Earp & "Doc Holliday" play faro |
Jeff Smith once again brought the original grave marker and spoke to the crowd
on new found information regarding the history of Soapy. He mingled the rest of the night with interested guests. He said
he talked until his throat gave out. Jeff was there throughout the evening to answer questions about his great grandfather
and signing autographs. There was a notable increase in the size of the crowd, and the knowledge of Soapy this year.
| Beauty and the chip |
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| slivers of the original grave marker were auctioned off |
| "The Song-Bird" |
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| Brandy LaPlante sings the Ballad of Soapy Smith |
Two time, U.S. champion pool trick shooter,
Chef Anton, wowed the crowd with his humorous and skillful trade. He is very popular. "Professor" Dave Bourne,
from HBO's Deadwood, played his 19th century piano while beautiful and talented Brandy LaPlante sang popular
melodies from the era. These are two really nice people.
Many guests came in old west clothing and the costume contest had some very interesting entries.
Once again, Jeff was one of the judges, and said this year was even harder than last to decided who the winners were. Larry
Bitterman, of Old Frontier clothing Company donated one of his finest shirts as a prize.
Jeff
Smith donated several slivers that had fallen from the Soapy grave marker, to the event. Whit Haydn placed them in two beautifully
decorated shadow boxes, complete with signatures of authentication. One of the boxes went to the raffle and the other was
placed in the auction and realized a final bid of $80. Not bad for a sliver of wood smaller than half a tooth-pick. At 9:00 p.m. Jeff took the stage and spoke on the adventures of Soapy. At 9:15 pm, the
approximate time of Soapy's death, Jeff asked Whit Hayden to come join him on stage and the two men gave the toast we
all had gathered for. What a night it was. Next years bash will be even bigger. We plan to turn the whole Magic Castle into a den of
thieves competing against each other to take the prize. People will be able to register as dealers or players. Dealers
can run their own faro tables, Monte games, chuck-a-luck, dice, shell game, fast and loose, coin pitch, etc., and play for
each others and for the players' Soapy money. The player and the dealer with the most Soapy dollars at the end of the
evening win the two biggest prizes of the night. -Whit Haydn
See more photographs
of the 2007 event HERE
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108th Anniversary
Soapy Smith Wake
July 8, 2006
See
Hundreds of photographs taken
at the 2006 event HERE
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107th Anniversary
Soapy Smith Wake
July 8, 2005
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| Photos by Bob Busch |
The 107th annual Soapy Smith Wake was an
absolute success. Thanks to Whit Haydn and the Magic Castle. Was there any doubt?
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| Ticket into the 2005 Wake |
The Wake was held downstairs of the Magic Castle
in the W.C. Fields bar. The $5.00 entrance was paid by several hundred guests, who were also invited to purchase raffle tickets
for numerous collectible Soapy Smith items donated. There were also bars of souvenir Soapy soap for guests to buy for an additional
$5.00. There were no claims of cash prize inside. Later in the evening there were rumors that someone had found a $100 bill
in one of the soap wrappers, but the "winner" turned out to be none other than "German Pete" (Peter Menyhart),
pulling off another one of his infamous cons, all in the sprit of fun.
| Whit Haydn receives Soapy Smith Award |
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| Photo by Bob Busch |
Jeff Smith awarded
Whit Haydn with a framed photograph of Soapy as he lay in the morgue, a nice photograph worthy of hanging in a bedroom. The
Soapy Smith award goes out annually to those who have made a major contribution in keeping the spirit and memory of Soapy
alive and well. Jeff Smith had a table filled with a collection
of rare photographs relating to Soapy and his life. He also brought the original Soapy grave marker for all to ponder. Jeff
was there throughout the evening to answer questions about his great grandfather. There was a notable increase in the
knowledge of Soapy this year. Many of the questions were in regards to details about certain events in Soapy's life. It
was nice for a change not to have to start with the very basics, although Jeff is always glad to do so.
| Greg Campbell and wife Terry from Pioneer Town |
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| Photo by Bob Busch |
Many guests came in old west clothing and the costume contest had some very interesting entries. Larry
Bitterman, of Old Frontier clothing Company donated one of his finest shirts as a prize. Jeff Smith, Larry Bitterman and Peter
Menyhart were the judges. A fun time was had by all.
Jeff
Smith donated several slivers that had fallen from the Soapy grave marker, to the event. Whit Haydn placed them in two beautifully
decorated shadow boxes, complete with signatures of authentication. One of the boxes went to the raffle and the other was
placed in the auction and realized a final bid of $90. Not bad for a sliver of wood smaller than half a tooth-pick.
| World Champ Pool Trick Shot, Chef Anton |
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| Photo by Bob Busch |
U.S. champion pool trick shooter, Chef
Anton, wowed the crowd with his humorous and skillful trade. Dave Bourne, from HBO's Deadwood, played 19th century piano
while Brandy LaPlante sang popular melodies from the 1890's.
| Brandi LaPlante, the "songbird" sings for the Wake |
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| Photo by Bob Busch |
At 8:30 p.m. Jeff took the stage and spoke on the adventures of Soapy. There were many intelligent
questions from the crowd. Afterwards Jeff asked Whit Hayden to come up to the stage and Jeff awarded a framed photograph of
Soapy as a gesture of thanks from the Smith family for all his dedicated work on behalf of Soapy. 9:15, the approximate time
of Soapy's death, rolled around and Jeff gave the toast we all had gathered for. Everyone in the place all raised their
glasses.
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106th Anniversary
Soapy Smith Wake
July 8, 2004
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| Photos by Bob Busch |
The photographs above were taken at the annual "Soapy" Smith wake held at the Magic Castle
in Hollywood, California, July 8th, 2004. Photo, top left: award-winning
magician and Professor for the School for Scoundrels Whit Haydn, performs the shell game with some very large nuts.
Photo, top right: great grandson Jeff Smith, dressed as "Soapy," addresses the crowd at the
wake. Behind Jeff is the original grave marker, now owned by Jeff. Photo, middle left:
Dave Bourne played a beautiful 19th century piano during the wake. Photo, middle right:
Chef Anton, Whit Haydn, and Jeff Smith prepare for the 9:15 p.m. toast to "Soapy's Ghost,"
next to the original grave marker. Photo,
bottom left: Beautiful Nancy
Haydn and Chef Anton. Photo,
bottom right: World champion trick-shot
pool shark Chef Anton demonstrates his skill.
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?
read
Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel
No images
or text may be used without prior written consent.
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