14. Soapy Smith became Colonel Jefferson Smith
The political turmoil in Mexico led Soapy to write to its president, Porfirio Diaz, in 1895. Smith proposed to the beleaguered Mexican President the formation of an American Foreign Legion, and offered him its services in quelling the various factional rebellions south of the border. He styled himself as Colonel Jefferson Smith, though he had no military experience. He informed the Mexican leader that a legion of tough American westerners would be of infinite value to his cause, and that the men would all be loyal to their Colonel. He established a recruiting post in Denver, but whether Diaz ever replied is disputed. Nothing came of the idea.
Despite the “cleanup” of Denver, several of the activities established by Smith, the Blongers, and others continued, though in an underground manner. Bascomb and Soapy were eventually charged with attempted murder after an uncooperative tavernkeeper was beaten. Bascomb was arrested. Soapy eluded the authorities, who likely tipped him off, and fled Denver. The charge was serious enough that a warrant for his arrest throughout Colorado was issued, and Soapy fled the state. For the next few years, he drifted, looking for a new location to establish another criminal empire. He went from Texas, to California, to Montana, back to California, to Portland without success.
