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Album: Seattle, Washington 2007
Image: 520 / 545
Date: 2007-09-03 11:21:50
Tags: Seattle

Soapy Smith

Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith was one of the most infamous people of the Klondike Gold Rush. He arrived in Skagway in October 1897 with a gang of con man. In one famous con, recent arrivals were greeted by men who offered to send telegrams to their families for only $5.00. However, the "telegraph wires" ended a few yards behind the office. Tired of Soapy's ways, leading citizens created a vigilante group to rid the town of the criminal element. Soapy Smith was confronted on July 8, 1898 and killed in an exchange of gunfire. Primarily remembered for his illegal activities, Soapy Smith was also remembered by some for his generosity to charities, churches, and those in desperate need.

Alex McDonald

"Big Alex" McDonald was a large, awkward, shy man. He spoke slowly and was unable to read or write. Still, he became one of the Klondike's richest men, earning the nickname "King of the Klondike." He made his fortune without ever lifting a shovel. He would buy seemingly worthless claims and hire others to work the claims for him. He purchased claim 30 Eldorado for a sack of flour and a side of bacon. 30 Eldorado turned out to be one of Eldorado's richest claims, yielding up to $5,000 a day. He could easily have retired, but continued buying claims and land, much of it worthless. Like many other stampeders, he died broke.