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Jeff Smith
- Corona, CA
- United States
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- Blog Posts (22)
- Discussions (276)
- Events
- Groups (15)
- Photos (208)
- Photo Albums (10)
- Videos (16)
Jeff Smith's Groups
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Carpool the Old West
7 members
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Friends of the South
46 members
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Fans of 19th Cent. Music
17 members
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music
40 members
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Famous Old West Graves
19 members
Jeff Smith's Discussions
TROUBLES IN THE WIND
Replied 5 hours ago
TROUBLES IN THE WIND
Replied 9 hours ago
TROUBLES IN THE WIND
Replied 10 hours ago
"Welcome to my parlor," said spider to the fly.
Jeff Smith's Photos
About Jeff...
Hi, I'm Jeff. I'm a single, 50 yr-old who is still a kid inside. I love the history of the late nineteenth century. I consider myself a historian. I like to write and read pure non-fiction. One of my favorite hobbies is exploring old newspapers. It's amazing how much history is out there and how many colorful characters are waiting to be "discovered" and written about. I write almost everyday on a blog and my own discussion forum as well as several that I watch. My main interests revolve around the criminal adventures of my g-grandfather, the infamous old west confidence man, gambler and crime boss, Jefferson Randolph Smith II, more commonly known as "Soapy" Smith. My interests branch out from there to include the history of his gang and the history of other bunko men, along with the saloons and gambling dens they worked out of.
I am president of the Soapy Smith Preservation Trust and Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith. The Trust is a family descendants organization whereas Friends is for anyone interested in the adventures of Soapy Smith.
I am currently finishing up a manuscript, Alias Soapy Smith, The Life and Death of a Scoundrel. It is due out in July 2009. This project started in 1985 and I am thrilled to see it brought to completion. My dream is to see a quality film produced on Soapy Smith, one in which I am involved with as a technical adviser, so my next project is a screenplay adaption of the manuscript.. After this current book is out I have plans for other book projects. I will also continue my research on Soapy and hope book sales are good enough to demand a second edition.
I have a Soapy Smith website that I am proud of. It is a labor of love. I will be adding greatly to it once my book is out on the market.
Alias Soapy Smith
My blog centers on "new" information I find on Soapy Smith; from the authentic Soapy quotes in old newspapers to the funny stuff, like the Soapy Smith Car Wash in White Horse, Canada.
Soapy Smith Soap Box
I am president of the Soapy Smith Preservation Trust and Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith. The Trust is a family descendants organization whereas Friends is for anyone interested in the adventures of Soapy Smith.
I am currently finishing up a manuscript, Alias Soapy Smith, The Life and Death of a Scoundrel. It is due out in July 2009. This project started in 1985 and I am thrilled to see it brought to completion. My dream is to see a quality film produced on Soapy Smith, one in which I am involved with as a technical adviser, so my next project is a screenplay adaption of the manuscript.. After this current book is out I have plans for other book projects. I will also continue my research on Soapy and hope book sales are good enough to demand a second edition.
I have a Soapy Smith website that I am proud of. It is a labor of love. I will be adding greatly to it once my book is out on the market.
Alias Soapy Smith
My blog centers on "new" information I find on Soapy Smith; from the authentic Soapy quotes in old newspapers to the funny stuff, like the Soapy Smith Car Wash in White Horse, Canada.
Soapy Smith Soap Box
Latest Activity
Most of you I consider good friends, but I have to say this lynch mob mentality disturbs me greatly. I am sure Bill did wrong but you all are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Sure can't help but think it has something to do with his being hom...
George, my statement has absolutely nothing to do with your comment.
You guys are going too with this...
Is this it? Randsburg Old West and Bluegrass Jamboree
Comment Wall (116 comments)
- At 11:13am on November 29, 2009,
JOHNNY RAMIREZ said… - Jeff,
I thank you for your comments, and I agree about historians speaking about 'Cowboy's.' They were a different breed of men not a separate species of man. It was a hard life for them and a short one, and it only lasted for about 15 years. My Great Uncle Pete was a Cowboy, but he never talked about it.
- At 4:44pm on November 25, 2009,
Gayle Martin said…
- Well I'll be damned. Learned something new today. I think it was one of my teachers in grade school who said that prior to the 20th century women only had the right to vote in Wyoming. Thanks for the update.
- At 12:18pm on November 21, 2009,
Jeff Smith said… - Hi, Bobbi. This forum is unique in that most people who join do not realize there is such a diverse difference in what people are interested in. Most people in general confuse the "old west" and the "new west" thinking they are related. The "old west" (nineteenth century) is about history whereas the "new west" (twentieth century up) is a "lifestyle" for lack of better wording. People often think they are the same because there are so many "cowboys" involved in the "new west," but if you think about it, being a "cowboy" today is vastly different from what it was 150 years ago. That the two are the same or related is the same as saying today's dentist, teacher, or every other occupation is related to the "old west" other than in name and occupation.
The point I'm trying to make so that you might understand some of the comments you have received from some of the members, and will probably receive in the future, is that the modern "spirit of the west" may not interest, or be of any use to the members interested in the way life really was in the old west. This is also true on the other side of the coin. Many of the "new west" people have no clue about the "old west" except what they've seen in fictional movies, nor do they care to hear about it. There is a "battle" going on in which members on both sides would like to see the other side subdued. True West magazine started in 1953 as a periodical for history. Bob Bell, the owner has created this forum but failed to see that many in both camps do not see eye-to-eye. In your line of work or interest does it perhaps bother you when people, let's say as an example, handle a horse wrong and then insist they are doing it just fine? Now try to imagine how the "old west" historians feel when the topic of the fabled "code of the west" comes up. Perhaps you might not be aware that there was no "code." Yet that debate has been posted and will again arise.
Yes, all are welcome here, and there is a good mix of members who like both the old and new west. Perhaps a good suggestion would be to keep in mind that when posting try to remember that you are talking to people who love the real history as well as to people who love the fictional genre. It's easy to get the two mixed...and that's when conflicts usually arise.
- At 9:49am on November 21, 2009,
Bobbi Jeen Olson said… - Thank you for the message! I am hoping to fit in as I live and love the western lifestyle. I live on a piece of John Wayne's Old Red River ranch were we raise all natural beef and corriente cattle. I use my place for many films and photo shoots which people told me that it would never work but it has been a great success.I team rope, do stunts and act in many different projects but I specialize in western projects. I can cut'em, clean'em and cook'em with the best of them. I am involved with a huge charity event called,"Louie & The Duke" with all proceeds going to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
So what is western? Is it just people who are old west enthusiasts or is it people that live and love and promote the western live style.
I believe we all have to come together and support one another to keep the west alive.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you,
Bobbi Jeen Olson
- At 7:08pm on November 18, 2009,
Melvin Graf said… - Jeff, I completely agree with your analysis of "TA." The person at issue has hidden behind women's skirts before so it's no surprise. As we all well know, this crook is a narcissist and must constantly receive attention, whether it be good or bad.
- At 4:25pm on November 18, 2009,
Karin K. McKechnie said… - *sigh* that would work for you, Mr. Smith--but my name seems to confuse mere mortals...
- At 4:13pm on November 18, 2009,
Ginny Morgan said… - Egad...Did Ms Spude read the same book I did? Sheesh....(roling eyes)
- At 4:10pm on November 18, 2009,
Jeff Smith said…
- Karin my dear you hit the nail on the head. It's the old, "say what you wish about me, just spell my name right."
- At 3:45pm on November 18, 2009,
Karin K. McKechnie said…
- I miss ONE day and missed all this ruckus? That's it...I'm getting an iphone:)
Just remember, people who are controversial pot stirrers like 'Ms. Spude' are good for business. Good luck!!
- At 3:29pm on November 18, 2009,
Jeff Smith said…
- Hi, Odessa Red.
Cathy "Spewed" (like it!) Spude is an author who is writing a book on Soapy in a vain attempt to knock him down to "no interest" status. Obviously she is upset that my book is much more than she imagined it would be. I have dealt with her for years and she is lacking. You can scan my blog, discussion froum, and website for numerous interesting confrontations I've had with her, including the theft of my work.
I believe she is currently mad because she recently joined in with the Tombstone history crowd and figured she'd be leaving Soapy behind, only to find Soapy was there as well, and perhaps played a very important roll considering he stayed in the Cosmopolitan Hotel at the same time the Earp's were fortified there. My publisher knows her too and we both figure this will probably be the only main negative comment about the book. All one has to do is view my good reviews to get a counter point.
Jeff Smith's Videos
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Soapy Smith soap sell
Added by Jeff Smith
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Jeff Smith's Blog
Keep your eyes open and anger in check...Something wicked is going on here.
Hi, everyone.
This is fresh off the grill and few details are to be had yet. I thought I'd better post something before major problems occur.
It appears that some devious troublemaker is sending private messages using another member's name. If you receive a nasty-mean message in your private mailbox question the authenticity. Find out first if the sender is the one who really sent the message. In the mean time if you have a disagreement with someone don't send anything through the private mess… Continue
This is fresh off the grill and few details are to be had yet. I thought I'd better post something before major problems occur.
It appears that some devious troublemaker is sending private messages using another member's name. If you receive a nasty-mean message in your private mailbox question the authenticity. Find out first if the sender is the one who really sent the message. In the mean time if you have a disagreement with someone don't send anything through the private mess… Continue
Posted on November 12, 2009 at 4:00pm — 18 Comments
This weekend at WHITEHORSE RANCH, the BIG event...
Hi, gang.
My friends, "German Pete" and "Minnesota Maureen" are gearing up for this year's main event out at their movie ranch. He has a private mailing list and I asked him if I could post the latest news. He consented and here it be... (I placed key points in bold text). I sure hope to get to meet some of you there! Peter and Maureen ALWAYS show everyone a great time.
Howdy all,
we just got back from Paramount Ranch,where we did a movieshoot for Disney.We all had great fun.Thanks to all who… Continue
My friends, "German Pete" and "Minnesota Maureen" are gearing up for this year's main event out at their movie ranch. He has a private mailing list and I asked him if I could post the latest news. He consented and here it be... (I placed key points in bold text). I sure hope to get to meet some of you there! Peter and Maureen ALWAYS show everyone a great time.
Howdy all,
we just got back from Paramount Ranch,where we did a movieshoot for Disney.We all had great fun.Thanks to all who… Continue
Posted on November 9, 2009 at 3:00am — 11 Comments
Stan H. is posting some early period music!
Posted on October 31, 2009 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments
Play the KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH on-line game!
Posted on October 30, 2009 at 2:20pm — 3 Comments
Are you afraid to post? Do you dread asking questions or making a comment for fear of an argument?
I am not posting this for those who simply enjoy reading the posts and have no interest in joining in. That is everyone's preference. This post is for those who would really like to join in but fear the hot water. I'm here to say Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Do not be afraid of debate. Do not be afraid to be wrong. The latter comment is a good one for everyone to remember.
Getting yelled at seems to be a big fear with some. No one enjoys it and it should not be done to y… Continue
Getting yelled at seems to be a big fear with some. No one enjoys it and it should not be done to y… Continue
Posted on October 29, 2009 at 8:30am — 11 Comments
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