Skagway, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Fatal Duel
Photographed By Jeff Smith, July 8, 1998
1. Fatal Duel Marker
Erected 1998.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is July 8, 1901.
Location. 59° 27.257′ N, 135° 19.196′ W. Marker is in Skagway, Alaska. Marker is at the intersection of Second Avenue and State Street, on the right when traveling east on Second Avenue. Located on the southeast corner of Second Avenue and State Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Skagway AK 99840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jeff. Smith’s Parlor (within shouting distance of this marker); Arctic Brotherhood Camp Skagway (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Skagway and White Pass (about 500 feet away); Skagway Centennial Statue (about 500 feet away); Inspector Charles Constantine (about 500 feet away); Three Thousand Pack Animals (about 500 feet away); Bank of Alaska (approx. ¼ mile away); Mollie Walsh (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Skagway.
Regarding Fatal Duel. Note the marker states the gunfight took place on
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Soapy Smith Preservation Trust. Trust website:
Alias Soapy Smith, king of the frontier con men, boss of the bunco brotherhood. (Submitted on December 17, 2008, by Jeff Smith of Williams, Arizona.)
2. The port of Skagway. Wikipedia entry:
Between 1897-1898, Skagway was a lawless town, described by one Canadian Mountie as "little better than a hell on earth." Fights, prostitutes and liquor were ever-present on Skagway's streets. The most colorful resident of this period was bad man Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith. He was a sophisticated swindler who liked to think of himself as a kind and generous benefactor to the needy. He had gracious manners and he gave money to widows and stopped lynchings, while at the same time operating a ring of thieves who swindled prospectors with cards, dice, and the shell game. His telegraph office charged five dollars to send a message anywhere in the world. [$5 in 1898 is the equivalent of more than $2700 today.] (Submitted on December 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
3. The Shootout on Juneau Wharf. Wikipedia entry
: “The duel ended with both Smith and Reid being fatally shot – Smith was shot in the heart and died shortly afterwards, and Reid dying 12 days later due to injuries from the fight. The fight was
Source: US Library of Congress via Wikipedia Commons
2. Jefferson “Soapy” Smith standing at bar in saloon in Skagway, Alaska. July 1898
Additional keywords. Soapy Smith, Frank Reid, Skagway, Alaska
Source: The Skagway News via Wikipedia Commons
3. The Skaguay News, Friday, July 15, 1898
“Soapy Smith’s Last Bluff Called by Frank Reid. Armed with a Winchester he endeavors to intimidate a large meeting of Indignant Citizens on the Third Wharf. Dead in a moment — shot through heart. The jail quickly filled with members of “Soapy’s” Gang by citizens armed with Winchesters. Brave Frank Reid seriously wounded. The inquest, aftermaths and notes.”
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 1996
4. Gravesite of Frank Reid - Hero of Skagway
Reads, "He gave his life for the honor of Skagway"
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 1996
5. Jefferson "Soapy" Smith Gravesite
Aged 38 years
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2008, by Jeff Smith of Williams, Arizona. This page has been viewed 4,051 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on April 5, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. It was the Marker of the Week July 8, 2018. Photos: 1. submitted on December 17, 2008, by Jeff Smith of Williams, Arizona. 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on December 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
