HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION, CLEARING, GRAVEL

their attempt at summary justice,
the crowd surged towards the jail.

Then, through the stampeding
mob, spread word that “Soapy” was
collecting money for the widow.
Slowly the crowd dispersed and ere
the rising sun had painted the snow-
capped peaks with lemon and scarlet
it was learned that “Soapy” Smith had
handed widow Rowan a_ thousand
dollars in gold and bank-notes, with
the promise of more to come. His
name was on everybody's tongue. Not

only had he succeeded in attaining
public recognition, but, with it, he
had won the acclaim of Skagway.

Sande
Lumber Mills Ltd.

Lumber Manufacturers

SPRUCE - HEMLOCK - CEDAR
Rough or Dressed Timber
Products

C.N.R. Shipping Point

*

TERRACE B.C.

PATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS

Als

LAUNDRY and DRYCLEANERS

ALBERT PONTO, Proprietor

Special Service to Travellers
*

Out-of-Town Orders Given
Prompt Attention

*

Phone 221 TERRACE, B.C.

TELEPHONE 112

Page Twelve

Lakelse Construction Company Limited

TERRACE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

and HEAVY EQUIPMENT

I’m Going to Run This Town

Losing not a minute he proceeded
to consolidate his gains. With a flow
of silvery oratory he addressed a
cheering crowd next morning. “We've
got to have law and order here,” he
told them, his black eyes flashing.
“From now on I’m going to run this
town——and run it right!” And to the
amazement of an incredulous citi-
zenry, “Soapy” proceeded forthwith to
make good his promise.

His first step was to knit the crim-
ina] elements into an organized whole.
Then he opened a combination dance
hall, gambling joint and saloon as
headquarters, giving it the euphonious
title of “Jeff’s Place.”

And behind an enormous desk
in a room behind the bar he
established himself as Skagway’s
Citizen and Lawgiver Number
One.

But this impudent assumption of
authority was not destined to go un-
challenged. Viewing the swift and
sinister developments with growing
alarm, Sam Lowell, Doctor Good
(later of the firm of Good & Turnbull,
Winnipeg), Captain Tanner, Major
Strong and other leading citizens
snapped into action. That night was
born the Vigilance Committee of One
Hundred and One which promptly
proceeded to throw a monkey-wrench
into. the machinery of “Soapy’s”
spurious “government.” Next morn-
ing bearded miners and citizens alike
gazed with surprise at the proclama-

‘

tion posted in prominent places
throughout the town:
NOTICE
All confidence sharks, bunco-

men, sure-thing men and other
objectionable characters are here-
by warned to leave Skagway and
the White Pass. Failure to com-
ply with this warning will be
followed by prompt and ener-
getic action by the Committee
of One Hundred and One.

It was a crisis that “Soapy” had
obviously not anticipated. But he met

GRANT & NEWTON LTD.

Electrical Contractors
Head Office: TERRACE, B.C.

the situation with his usual savoir-
faire and promptitude, his unerring
knowledge of human nature telling
him that only by a swift and theatrical
counter-stroke could he hope to main-
tain his dominant position.

“Yo heli with the Committee,” he
jeered as worried henchmen brought
the news. “We'll run those high-
binders out of Skagway. Want a
Committee, do they? Well—we'll
give them a real Committee, and raise
their ante, too!”

That night there was a crowded
meeting of Skagway’s hoodlums, and
next day, cheek by jowl with the
notice of the vigilance committee
appeared another one, signed by
Jefferson Randolph Smith, summon-
ing one and all to an indignation
meeting in Sylvester Hall.

Next day there emanated from the
executive office at “Jeff's Place” the
following bold announcement:

WARNING

so-called Committee of
Hundred and One ate

The
One

EMPIRE HOTEL
TERRACE, B.C.
24 Rooms and Five Apartments

Running Hot and Cold Water
REASONABLE RATES

Clarence Meeks, Manager : Phone 249

POHLE LUMBER CO.

Manufacturers of:
Boards, Dimension, Planks
Scaffold Plank, Ties
Timbers up to 40 feet
IN eens
Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock
Western Red Cedar

TELEPHONE 252

Mill and Sales Office:
TERRACE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

P.O. BOX 571

Branches: KITIMAT and PRINCE RUPERT, B.C.

THE SHOULDER STRAP