5. A court case demonstrated Soapy’s powers of persuasion
Those ignoring the warning sign above the Tivoli Club’s door often found themselves relieved of every dime in their pockets. Finding an honest game in Soapy’s establishment was possible, but for the uninitiated highly improbable. Soapy operated out of the club most days, and his skill at recognizing well-heeled saps was legendary. He often directed the victims to the best game, plied them with free liquor, and sent one or more of his working girls over to further distract them. Two such welcomed customers found themselves out $1500, believed they had been fleeced, and took Soapy to court to recover their stolen money.
Soapy addressed the court in his own defense, and reminded it that the Tivoli Club was a valuable public institution, helping to educate the good citizens of Denver. He compared the club to the Keeley Institute, which at the time offered a “cure” for alcoholism. Soapy said the club was vital to the cure of compulsive gambling. He pointed out to the court that his accusers had both sworn to never gamble again, and claimed credit for curing them of their problem. “I should be recognized as a public benefactor”, was Soapy’s indignant assertion. He was acquitted.