Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith

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Comment by Jeff Smith 6 hours ago

Direct from my blog, entitled, What is that Soapy's wearing?

(Click image to enlarge) What's Soapy Smith wearing?

Courtesy Denver Public Library

In the photograph above Soapy is wearing some sort of pin on the lapel of of coat (circled in yellow). I often wondered what it was exactly. It appeared to be some sort of soldier which made sense as the photograph was taken in the the spring/summer of 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Soapy was extremely patriotic as can be seen by the hanging displays behind the bar. In fact every known photograph of Soapy's saloons in Colorado and Alaska had flags and red, white and blue bunting hung inside and out.

So What is it?

Why it's Uncle Sam!

The above Uncle Sam pin is actually a smaller version but obviously the same figure. That's one more mystery solved.

Comment by Jeff Smith on December 6, 2009 at 9:27am

Bill is being modest. Having the software is one thing, but knowing how to use it is another. On top of that is just plain simple directing talent. I'm not talking about just turning it on. I'm talking about making it sing. Plus, the man has more film and sound equipment then most rappers! Ok, maybe that was a little over the top, but he does have a lot of nice equipment.

He could have added more pop and flash in the video but he knew better to subdue the effects to let the content speak for itself. He is, in my opinion, a professional.

Comment by Odessa Red on December 6, 2009 at 7:54am

Hi Bill...sometimes it's a small world so it never hurts to ask! :) I'm sure the Tombstone Marquardt obit did seem kind of weird!

Comment by Bungalo Bill on December 6, 2009 at 12:39am

Thanks for the kind words about the video. Tweren't nothing, really. Modern software makes things easy once you learn how to use it.

I don't believe I am related to the San Berdoo Marquardts. Our name is actually common in the midwest up in Iowa and Nebraska. By coincidence, once while reading the Tombstone Tumbleweed, I learned of another Marquardt, a school teacher who tragically passed away a few years ago. She had been born in a town not 30 miles from where I was born, yet not related as far as I know. I read her obituary in my hometown newspaper also. It gave me an eerie feeling. I have always felt a connection to Tombstone and seeing her name in the newspaper gave me a chill. There are not a lot of people in Tombstone, which is now my second home.

Comment by Gay Mathis on December 5, 2009 at 11:36pm

Excellent video with a very interesting subject "Soapy Smith"..IMO..

Comment by Jeff Smith on December 5, 2009 at 9:09pm

Thank you Rebecca. You wouldn't think there'd be too many people around with that name.

Comment by Odessa Red on December 5, 2009 at 8:52pm

That was an awesome video...what a great endorsement! Bill did a very nice job putting that together!...(btw...I would wonder if he is any relation to a Mrs Marquardt who used to be an elementary school teacher in San Bernardino???) :)

Comment by Jeff Smith on December 5, 2009 at 8:42pm

This comes directly from my blog...enjoy!

"Bungalo Bill," aka Bill Marquardt, a good friend of mine and a fan of Soapy's produced the wonderful video commercial for my new book. I am naturally hoping it will help sales but more importantly several family members have come forward and thought that the video did more than just help sell my books. That in fact the exciting video helps bring the name of Soapy Smith to the fore front of old west history. The following is what I wrote to Bill.

The Soapy Smith Preservation Trust and members of the Smith family asked me to convey to you their appreciation for producing such an exciting video. Beyond helping to sell my book, a family goal is to bring Soapy Smith's name into the main-stream as a viable and interesting character of the old west. You have helped us in that goal. Thank you.

Comment by Jeff Smith on December 1, 2009 at 10:15pm

Artist John Bruce captures the moment vigilate Jesse Murphy pulls the trigger sending Soapy Smith to his grave. The rifle he uses is Soapy's with whom he had just wrestled it away from.

Comment by Odessa Red on November 30, 2009 at 8:42pm

LOL...guess I'll have to watch it again!!...I was driving my car listening/watching! ahhahaa!

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