Today is Wednesday, July 8th, 2020.

On this day in 1898, the Wild West's most notorious con man, Jefferson Randolph, or Soapy Smith, was killed in a

shootout in Skagway, Alaska. Welcome to Today in True Crime, a parcast original.

I'm Vanessa Richardson, and today I'm joined by our guest host Carter Roy.

Parcast listeners might recognize Carter from a few parcast shows including one we

host together, Famous Fates, and Parcast's first ever show

Unsolved Murders True Crime Stories.

Thanks Vanessa. On Unsolved Murders we take you to the scene of the crime

putting listeners in the moment as we

investigate thrilling and disturbing cases. Every week I get excited to tell a

new crime story whether it's digging into cold cases on unsolved

murders or here on today in true crime. And I'm so glad you could join me to cover

today's thrilling crime story. Carter will discuss some of the historical aspects of

Soapy Smith's final shootout while I'll cover the narrative.

Absolutely, let's get started. Due to the graphic nature of today's crimes

listener discretion is advised.

Extreme caution is advised for listeners under 13.

Now, let's go back to July 8,98 in Skagway, Alaska. Soapie, Alaska. Soapy Smith wasn't having a pleasant evening.

That morning he'd woken up as the uncrowned king of Skagway,

a man both loved and feared by the people of his town.

But in just a matter of hours, he was despised.

He couldn't step foot outside his parlor without being sneered at, so he decided to stay inside,

...