Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-08-07
TRACY is DEAD.
Commits Suicide After Being
Wounded by Pursuers.
Four Citizens and Deputy Sheriff
Effect the Capture.
Tracy Badly Wounded and Probably
Would Have Died.


David Merrill, escaped from the Oregon
penitentiary at Salem on June 9, af-
ter killing four prison guards, killed
himself. early this morning, after be-
ing wounded by the rifle of one of 4
posse in pursuit.
After battling the officers of two
states, after wonderful flight of
nearly 400 miles across Oregon and
Washington. Tracy was hunted down
by four citizens of the little farming
town Of Creston. and a lone deputy
sheriff. Sheriff Gardner and posse ar
rived in time to guard the wheat field
through the night, but the work had
already been done. The posse that will
share the reward was made up as fol-
lows: G. A. Straub. deputy sheriff;
DR.. E. c. Lanter; Maurice Smith, at
torney; j. ]. Morrison, railway section
foreman and Frank Rittengen.
These men, armed to the teeth, set
out from Creston, about 2 o'clock yes
terday afternoon. They We're working
on the information of the Goldfinch
youth, who had been forcibly made
the companion of the Oregon convict
for over "a hours at the ranch of T.
B. Eddy on Lake Creek, about three
miles south from Fellowes station, on
the Washington Central Railway. The
party made all possible haste in get
ting to the ranch. When within Il
few hundred yards of the farm they
encountered Farmer Eddy moving in
one of his fields. While engaging him
in conversation, they saw man issu-
ing from the barn door.
rs that Tracy?" asked one of the
party.
1T surely is replied Eddy.
The party separated, Lanter and
Smith accompanying Smith in the di-
rection of the barn, while the other
two men swung round to the other
side. Two of the hunters stepped be-
hind the barn on a slight eminence,
from which they could watch every
thing that went on. and Eddy con-
tinued on up to the door. Tracy came
from the barn and began helping his
host unhitch the horses. He carried
no rifle, although he had his revolvers
in place.
The fugitive finally saw the men
carrying rifles and turned sharply to
Eddy and said:
who are those mem"
Il don't see any men, said Eddy.
Tracy pointed out the two men on
the hill Eddy informed his companion
who the men were and the outlaw
made a leap for the barn door. The
pursuers stepping a bit closer COM
handed.
Hold up your hands"
The outlaw jumped behind Eddy and
first placed the farmer and his horse
between himself and the pursuers. He
commanded the farmer to lead his
horse to the barn and remain under
cover. moving toward shelter. When
near the stable he broke and dashed
inside. He quickly reappeared. rifle il
hand and started on dead rum
Turning on the two men nearest him,
the desperate fired two shots. but with
out his usual luck. neither bullet tax
ing effect Without waiting for fur
Their fighting Tracy made dash down
the valley leading south from the barn
and headed for the brush.
In an instant the man-hunters were
off in pursuit, firing as they ran. Com
ing to a rock Tracy lodged behind it
and resting his gun on the rock, began
fusilade. Eight shots in all were
fired by the outlaw. not one hitting its
mark. Seeing that he was not succeed
| ing, he bolted for a wheat field close
| by. At the edge of the field he STUN
bled. falling on his face, and crawled
i into the grain on his hands and knees.
1t was growing dark and the pursuers
not daring to move in closer, decided TO
surround the place and wait for Gay
light. In the meantime Sheriff Gard
ner with Policemen Stauffer and Gem
merlin of Spokane, Jack O'Farrell OF
Davenport, and other reinforcements
| had arrived on the scene and they went
| into camp around the field during the
night.
Shortly after Tracy disappeared
shot was heard from the direction OF
| the wheat field. No investigation was
made. however, until this morning. As
soon as dawn came an entrance was
made into the wheat field
Tracy's dead body was found lying
amid the grain with his face turned
| toward the sky. His left hand thrown
over his head, neld revolver, whicn
had inflicted the death wound. The
thumb of his hand was on the trigger
of the pistol. His right hand, thrown
across the lower part of his body. firm
Ily grasped the barrel of the famous
rife. Death was inflicted by revolt
yer held close to the forehead. The top
of his head was badly shattered.
Two bullet wounds on the left leg
showed the cause of the mans de-
spondency. One shot had broken the
leg between the ankle and the knee.
The other cut the tibial artery, which
of itself was sufficient to cause death.
1t is believed that both of these
wounds were received after the convict
left the shelter of the rock and made
his break for the wheat field. The
fugitive had taken strap and buckled
it tight around his leg in an attempt
to stop the bleeding. Despite the tight
ly fastened strap. the bleeding contin-
iued until he probably realized his hope
less condition and ended the struggle
He was dressed in blue overalls, a white
shirt and wore no coat or vest. He
wore bicycle cap and pair of rough
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