Creede,-Soapy-Smith organized criminal gangs that virtually ran both towns. During this period, Smith was a frequent visitor to Washington where he was acquainted with senators, businessmen, and newspaper editors.
In 1897, hearing of the Klondike gold strike, Smith told his Washington friends he was going become a respectable hotel keeper in Alaska. However, his reformation was short-lived. By late 1897, he and his criminal associates had taken over Skagway.
Smith's criminal regime lasted less than a year. A Vigilante Committee was formed in the spring of 1898 to oppose him, and the conflict came to a head early in July.
