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| The current grave marker |
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| An unidentified person decorated Soapy's grave |
Since his death in July of 1898 the grave site of Soapy Smith has
gone through five known grave markers. Why so many? They were stolen, shot at,
blown up, vandalized and replaced. Each marker has it's own unique story. If only they could talk.
| The first marker, 1898 - 1901 (+-) |
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| Art Petersen Collection |
This is
the first grave marker. This photograph was probably taken by Rev. R. M. Dickey in July of 1898. It was replaced or stolen
sometime after 1901. Note that there is no difference between this marker and the one at the top of this page. This marker
seems to have remained undamaged between 1898 and 1901, whereas the later markers received more than their fair share of graffiti.
Considering that Soapy Smith was very unpopular after his death and anyone in the least association with him was kicked out
of town, there is a question as to why this marker's font was so much fancier than the fonts on all the other graves in
the gold rush cemetery of the same period. This marker may have possibly been on the grave as late as 1917.
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| The second marker, 1901 (+-)- 1927 |
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| Jeff Smith Collection |
The second marker was placed on the grave between 1901 and 1917. There are hundreds of
carved names that were etched into this marker while it stood over Soapy's grave giving testament to the time it was up
and the popularity of visiting his grave. One of the markings has a date of 1917.
This
marker is believed to have been up in 1919 when a massive flood washed Soapy's body out to sea. The marker was found and
placed back on a site as close to the original gravesite as possible. In 1927 Harriet Pullen received $50 from Tom Kearney
asking that she fix up the grave. She had a nice marble headstone made and exchanged it for the wooden marker which she placed
on display in her hotel along with other Klondike gold rush memorabilia. It resided in Harriet Pullen's care
until 1973 when it was sold John Randolph Smith, a grandson of Soapy. It was handed down to Jeff Smith in 1987.
| The third marker, 1927 - 1950s |
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| Cement marker paid for by a friend of Soapy's |
This is the third marker. The marble headstone paid for by Tom Kearney and placed there
by Harriet Pullen in 1927. Martin Itjen became the graves caretaker starting in the 1930s. There were several postcards showing
this marker as it appears to the right and later with a metal cage over it. This marker became target practice for vandalism
and gun practice.
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| Marker #3 with a protective cage |
This is believed to be the above marker (#3) encased in a protective wire cage. Note that
the lettering matches the locations of the one above. The letters are dark, so perhaps they may have been painted. A postcard
of this marker had a postmark of June 21, 1954 so we know it was up in that year. It is believed this marker was eventually
blown up with dynamite.
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| Marker four, 1950s -1997 |
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| A nice fence placed around the site |
This is the forth marker. The date of it's manufacture and maker is unknown. It was
made of metal with a wood border and then a wooden post and metal pipe fence was placed around it.
Looking just below the pipe closest to the photographer you can
see the bottom portion where marker #3 was originally located.
| Marker four in need of replacement |
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| July 8, 1974, first annual Wake |
The forth
marker in 1974 at the very first annual Soapy Smith Wake, in poor condition and ready for replacement.
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| The fifth marker, 1997 - present |
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| Authentic replica of the second marker |
The fifth
marker is actually a reproduction of the second marker. Jeff Smith photographed and measured the second marker in his possession,
believing it was the first marker and James Richards of Skagway had the copy made. It was placed on the grave in 1997.
| 2008 |
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| Replica of the first marker, Whitehorse Ranch |
The last marker is a replica of the very first one placed on the grave, however,
this one is not on Soapy's grave in Skagway, Alaska but rather placed in the memorial cemetery grounds at the Whitehorse
Movie Ranch in Landers, California. It was made by artist Jerry "Judge" Gargolione. It was unveiled erected in a
ceremony on July 8, 2008 the 110th anniversary of Soapy's death.
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No images may be used without prior written consent.
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