William Sidney "Cap" Light - William Light, Soapy Smith, and The Third Killing

William Light, Soapy Smith, and The Third Killing

In 1891, William Light joined up with his brother-in-law, Jefferson Randolph Soapy Smith and his criminal empire in Denver, Colorado. Light was with "Soapy" and the soap gang when they attacked the Glasson Detective Agency. In 1892, Soapy Smith made himself the "boss" of the new silver rush camp of Creede, Colorado. Soapy urged his brother-in-law, William Light, to accept a position as camp deputy marshal. Light accepted. William "Reddy" McCann, a Creede faro dealer, with a killing history of his own, was drinking heavily one night. At about 4:15 a.m. on March 31, 1892, McCann was on Main street shooting out street lights. McCann retired into the Branch Saloon when Light walked in and confronted him. Light attempted to arrest McCann who resisted. Light tried to talk sense into McCann, then suddenly slapped McCann in the face, knocking a cigar out of his mouth. Both men drew their weapons and fired, five or six shots in all. McCann fell to the floor and his last words were, "I'm killed." The coroner's jury showed that Light had used self-defense, but Light was so distraught over the killing that he quit his job and the Soapy Smith gang.