Hi, I am Jeff Smith, a great-grandson of Soapy Smith, and author of the book, "Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel." Frank Reid was a member of the "lot grifters," the opposition gang in Skagway. He was "appointed" City Engineer, thus had control of lot sales. He was not an innocent man. Even shot an unarmed man in Oregon. Reid did not call the vigilante meeting, but rather he went to the meeting and was appointed a guard, along with three other men. Soapy and Reid did exchange about five to eight shots when Soapy shot Reid in the groin. Reid had previously shot Soapy in the arm and leg. Both men fell to the wharf, Reid paralyzed, and Soapy wounded. Jesse Murphy, one of the other guards, ran up to Soapy and wrestled the rifle from Soapy, turned it on Soapy and chambered a shell, as Soapy hollered out; "My God, don't shoot!" Soapy died instantly, and Reid died 12 days later.
Oh Wow. I'm glad you had more information on the story. Like my Grandpa would have said about Paul Harvey. "Now you know the rest of the story". Thanks so much for your comment. I hope you still enjoyed it. Even with some of its inaccuracies.
Hi, I am Jeff Smith, a great-grandson of Soapy Smith, and author of the book, "Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel." Frank Reid was a member of the "lot grifters," the opposition gang in Skagway. He was "appointed" City Engineer, thus had control of lot sales. He was not an innocent man. Even shot an unarmed man in Oregon.
Reid did not call the vigilante meeting, but rather he went to the meeting and was appointed a guard, along with three other men. Soapy and Reid did exchange about five to eight shots when Soapy shot Reid in the groin. Reid had previously shot Soapy in the arm and leg. Both men fell to the wharf, Reid paralyzed, and Soapy wounded. Jesse Murphy, one of the other guards, ran up to Soapy and wrestled the rifle from Soapy, turned it on Soapy and chambered a shell, as Soapy hollered out; "My God, don't shoot!" Soapy died instantly, and Reid died 12 days later.
Oh Wow. I'm glad you had more information on the story. Like my Grandpa would have said about Paul Harvey. "Now you know the rest of the story". Thanks so much for your comment. I hope you still enjoyed it. Even with some of its inaccuracies.