4. Smith built his empire through bribery and graft in Denver
Soapy Smith recognized the need to have local government and civic leaders look the other way regarding some of his more questionable activities. As would Al Capone in Chicago in the 1920s, Smith made himself appear as a man of the people, concerned with the welfare of his town. He donated liberally to churches and charities. He closed his saloons on Sunday’s, allowing ministers to conduct services in them while their churches were built. People in need in the city’s neighborhoods could approach one of his men, and aid was forthcoming, in the form of cash, or jobs, or whatever was needed.
Soapy paid kickbacks to saloons and tavernkeepers for allowing his men to fleece their customers at the gambling tables. He managed to take over a large part of the liquor sales market, and paid innkeepers a kickback for buying his liquor. Keeping the clergy and the common people in his pocket was not enough, he also bought the loyalty and support of the city government and the police department. He purchased an establishment, Tivoli Saloon and Gambling Hall, and with exquisite irony installed a sign over the entrance which read “Caveat Emptor”, a Latin phrase meaning “Let the buyer beware”. One of his card dealers was a fellow by the name of Bat Masterson.