Presentations

Jeff Smith is a great-grandson of and the foremost recognized historian on gambler, bunco artist and all around bad man Soapy Smith. Since 1989, Jeff has spoken to numerous organizations about the infamous Colorado and Alaskan crime boss. Speaking engagements can include first-person performances of some of Soapy's most famous swindles, including the prize package soap sell racket, The shell and pea game, and three-card monte. Artifacts, important letters, historical documents, photographs, and an original grave maker can accompany the speaking engagement for display purposes, depending on travel requirements and liabilities.



Fee: $400 plus expenses. Depending on the organization and the location, special considerations may affect the fee. Details can be arranged by contacting Jeff Smith.

Following are some of the locations Jeff has given presentations to.
  • The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (National Park Service), Skagway
  • The Washington State museum, Tacoma, Washington
  • The Alaska State museum, Juneau, Alaska
  • City of Skagway, Alaska
  • W.O.L.A. (Western Outlaw Lawman Association), Denver, Colorado, (08/02/1991)
  • Magic Castle, Hollywood, California
  • Creede Historical Society, Creede, Colorado
  • The Notorious Clanton Gang, Norco, California
  • The Old West Social Club, Norco, California
  • End Of Trail (S.A.S.S.), Corona, California
  • Calico Ghost Town, Barstow, California
  • Whitehorse Ranch, Yucca Valley, California
  • KTOO Juneau, Alaska radio show
  • The Haunted Saloon (webcast), hosted by TombstoneArizona.com (01/09/2007 and 04/10/2007)
  • Coweta/Newnan Historical Society (3/24/07)
  • Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival at Melody Ranch, California (04/28-29/2007)
  • Chronicle of the Old West radio show (4/28/2007)
  • Doombuggies 10th Anniversary Wake, Disneyland, Anaheim, California (02/25/2008)
  • Big Nose Kate's Saloon (special guest blackjack dealer for PharoBank.com), Tombstone, Arizona (10/26/2008)
  • Cyrano's Theater Company (The Ballad of Soapy Smith), Anchorage, Alaska (02/26 through 03/1/2008)
  • KFQD 750 radio, The Big Alaska Show. Studio guest, Anchorage, Alaska (02/28/2009)
  • Skagway, Alaska (summer of 2022 - two shows daily).
  • Cochise County Corral of the Westerners, Tombstone, Arizona (2023)
  • Prescott Western Heritage Foundation, Inc. (February 28, 2024)

♦ What others say about Jeff's presentations ♦


Jeff did a great job. It was good to meet him, and I have to tell you that I am really looking forward to his book even more now that I've had a chance to see some of the documentation he has. The problem we have with most Western characters is a dearth of personal records, but Soapy left extensive correspondence and even records about his "business" operations from Texas to Alaska. Here is a chance to see a Western legend inside out, and I think Jeff definitely has a winner.
—Gary Roberts, author

I work at Sears with my wife Susanne. For a week now they have been making a sales pitch. "Hurry down stairs you only have a few minutes left!" And so on. In my mind's eye, I see you leaning on the table talking, "How are you fixed for soap?" I loved it. That's the ONLY reason I attended that night to hear Soapy! It's about a 100 mile trip for me, and with gas as it is, I have to be careful. I wanted to see you and little Soapy (your son). You really pulled it off very well, my friend! Under the gun, you pulled off the old time again.
—Jim Petersen, historian

When I saw Jeff assemble the Tripe and Keister at the Soapy Smith night at the Newnan Historical Society a few months ago, I was immediately fascinated. When he flipped the top and brought the shells out, I got goose bumps. This stuff is amazing....
—Dave Armstrong, magician

I think you have a legitimate right to be proud of the work you have done on the manuscript. It's substantive and comprehensively indexed and footnoted. You've put a hell of a lot of work into the manuscript, and it shows to very good effect. I have a sense that by the time it is finished, it's not only going to shine brightly but also sing sweetly.
—Art Petersen, Klondike Research

It was such a pleasure to have you be our special guest during our phenomenally successful production of The Ballad of Soapy Smith. Your presence certainly added to the popularity of our play. The post performance question and answer period was actually extraordinary since usually a percentage of the audience does leave. In your case the entire audience stayed and were enthralled by your insights and knowledge of your great-grandfather. ... It was easy to observe that you enjoyed interacting with people and sharing your stories.
—Sandy Harper, Director, Cyrano's Theater Company
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