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T he 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!

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110th A nniversary S oapy S mith W ake
July 12, 2008

See HERE

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109th A nniversary S oapy S mith W ake
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

T he 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?


T he 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

J eff 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

T wo 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.


M any 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.

J eff 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.

 

A t 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.

N ext 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 A nniversary S oapy S mith W ake
July 8, 2006

See Hundreds of photographs taken
at the 2006 event HERE

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107th A nniversary S oapy S mith W ake
July 8, 2005

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Photos by Bob Busch

T he 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

T he 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

J eff 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.

 

J eff 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

M any 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.


J eff 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


A t 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 A nniversary S oapy S mith W ake
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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