William Sidney “Cap” Light – Texas Marshal and Soapy Smith Man

The life of William Sidney "Cap" Light, a figure etched in the annals of the Old West, presents a complex and compelling narrative. Born near Belton, Texas, around 1864, Light initially carved a reputation as an exemplary lawman. His career, however, took a sharp turn when he became entangled with the notorious con man and criminal mastermind, Randolph Jefferson "Soapy" Smith, his brother-in-law. This article delves into the contrasting chapters of William Sidney “Cap” Light’s life, from his early days as a respected deputy marshal to his involvement in the shadowy underworld orchestrated by Soapy Smith.

Born into a family of merchants, W.R. and Eliza Hyatt Light, who had migrated from Tennessee, young William Sidney “Cap” Light first pursued a career as a barber. However, the allure of law enforcement soon beckoned. At the young age of 20, he accepted the position of deputy marshal in Belton, Texas. His entry into the world of frontier justice was immediate and impactful. Barely settled into his new role, Light joined a posse that successfully tracked down and neutralized William Northcott, a local outlaw, on March 24, 1884. This early success solidified his commitment to upholding the law in the burgeoning Texas town.

Three years later, in June 1887, Light solidified his ties to the community by marrying Eva Katherine Smith of Temple, Texas. This union would prove to be a pivotal moment in his life, as Eva was the sister of Randolph Jefferson "Soapy" Smith, a man destined to heavily influence Light’s trajectory. While Light initially remained dedicated to his duties as a lawman, the seeds of his future involvement with Soapy’s criminal enterprises had been sown. He and Eva would go on to have two children, William Jeff Light, born in 1890, and Emma Ruby Light, born in 1892, further anchoring him to the fabric of Texas society.

August 1889 found Light assisting the marshal of nearby Temple, Texas. During this period, he was tasked with transporting a captured prisoner named Ed Cooley to jail. Cooley attempted to escape, and in the ensuing struggle, Deputy Light was forced to shoot him. This incident, while justified, likely contributed to the hardening of his resolve and perhaps a growing acceptance of the harsh realities of frontier justice.

Later that fall, another incident further tested Light’s commitment to maintaining order. A man named Sam Hasley, known for his rowdy reputation and involvement in the Early-Hasley Feud, was causing a disturbance in Belton while intoxicated. Hasley, defiant and confrontational, ignored Light’s orders to go home and instead rode his horse on the sidewalk, daring the deputy to take action. Light, left with no other option, attempted to arrest Hasley. When Hasley drew his gun, Light responded with deadly force, shooting him dead.

The following year, in March, Light was once again involved in a fatal confrontation. This time, the incident occurred at Temple’s Cotton Exchange Saloon. Felix Morales, drunk and disorderly, created a disturbance, prompting Light to intervene. Morales, in a drunken stupor, pulled his gun on Light. However, Light’s reflexes and experience proved superior, and Morales was killed. A local newspaper report described Morales as having died with "his pistol in one hand and a beer glass in the other," a stark and somewhat tragic epitaph.

Up until 1891, William Sidney “Cap” Light’s career as a lawman was, by all accounts, exemplary. He had demonstrated courage, decisiveness, and a willingness to use deadly force when necessary to maintain order in the rough-and-tumble environment of the Old West. However, this trajectory was about to change dramatically.

In 1891, Randolph Jefferson "Soapy" Smith, Light’s brother-in-law and a notorious figure in the criminal underworld, persuaded him to join him in Denver, Colorado. Soapy, known as the "King of the Frontier Con Men," had established a firm grip on the city’s criminal activities. Light’s arrival in Denver marked a turning point, as he began to associate with and participate in Soapy’s illicit operations.

One notable incident involved the gang’s alleged "attack" on the Glasson Detective Agency. According to accounts, the agency had attempted to coerce a confession from a young woman. Upon learning of this, Smith and his men, including Light, reportedly raided the agency’s offices, brandishing pistols. This act, whether genuinely motivated by a sense of justice or simply a calculated move to enhance Soapy’s public image, further solidified Soapy’s reputation as a folk hero among some locals.

In 1892, Soapy moved his operations to Creede, Colorado, a booming silver rush town teeming with opportunity and lawlessness. He convinced Light to accompany him. In Creede, William Sidney “Cap” Light was appointed as a deputy marshal. In this position, he played a crucial role in solidifying Soapy’s control over the rapidly growing settlement. Soapy essentially became the "boss" of Creede, wielding considerable influence over its economic and political landscape.

On March 31, 1892, Light’s gunfighting skills were once again put to the test. He encountered a drunken William "Reddy" McCann, a faro dealer with a reputation for violence. McCann, heavily intoxicated, had been firing his gun at the town’s street lights in the early hours of the morning. Light confronted McCann at the Branch Saloon, attempting to arrest him.

McCann resisted arrest, becoming argumentative and belligerent. Light attempted to reason with him, but McCann refused to comply. Finally, Light slapped McCann in the face, knocking a cigar from his mouth. McCann retaliated by drawing his gun, but Light, once again, was faster. He shot and killed McCann. A coroner’s jury later ruled that Light had acted in self-defense.

However, the constant killing and the morally ambiguous nature of his involvement with Soapy Smith’s gang had taken its toll on Light. He decided that he had had enough and chose to leave his deputy job and sever his ties with Soapy Smith. He returned to Texas, seeking to distance himself from the violence and corruption that had defined his time in Colorado.

Upon returning to Temple, Texas, Light applied for a position as a detective with the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad in June 1892. However, he was unsuccessful in his application. Bitter and resentful, Light blamed the railroad’s chief detective, T.J. Coggins, for his rejection. Sometime later, while heavily intoxicated, Light encountered Coggins and attacked him, beating him with his fists and the barrel of his pistol. This act of violence led to his arrest and imprisonment for assault.

During Light’s hearing, Coggins, seeking revenge, pulled his revolver and fired several shots at Light’s head. The bullets struck Light just below the jaw, in the neck, and near his right ear. The wounds were so severe that many believed he would not survive. Miraculously, however, Light recovered from the near-fatal attack. Coggins was arrested for attempted murder, but for reasons that remain unclear, he never faced trial.

In a bizarre twist of fate, a year later, on December 24, 1893, Light was traveling on a train when a tragic accident occurred. While handling his revolver in his pocket, he accidentally discharged the weapon. The bullet severed his femoral artery, and he bled to death within minutes. He was only 30 years old. The life of William Sidney “Cap” Light, a man who had walked both sides of the law, came to an abrupt and unexpected end. His story remains a fascinating and cautionary tale of the complexities of life on the American frontier.