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“He left his mark on
this world, and from his deeds we learn
not to be one.”
"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.
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
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!
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MEMBERSHIP REQUEST FORM
A
list of things to do and wish for 1.) Start maintenance of the Soapy Smith Skull Memorial on the hillside by the Skagway wharf, erected
in 1920. 2.)
Start a fund drive for maintenance of the Soapy grave site and to replace the fence surrounding it. [in process] 3.) DNA testing on Soapy's lock of
hair on display at the Alaska State museum in Juneau.
4.) 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.
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