The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-11
LIKE A PHANT TOM.
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nearly all the time watching for his
pursuers. He left the house after dark
headed either for Seattle or the Palmer
cutoff. Not only did Tracy force john
son to buy the revolver. but he made
him borrow the necessary money in
Kent. johnson went to Tacoma and Sc
cured the weapon without sounding any
kind OF warning to the authorities. He
was badly frightened. Tracy seems to
have prediction for people named
Johnson. He made Louis B johnson or
Bothell drive him from that place to
Woodland park after he had killed
Deputy Sheriff Raymond at Wayne. At
Fort Madison he entered the home OF
John Johnson and decamped with An
derson, the hired man and after leaving
the Gerrelps home at Renton he fed to
the house OF Kent Johnson.
That the murderer is becoming anx-
iouS for his safety was shown by his
conduct at the home of E. M. Johnson.
He seemed to realize that his exploit at
Renton had reached the limit His
gaiety has been replaced by the nerv-
of his rope. At times he acted like one
at bay His audacious carelessness has
given way to apprehension and watch
fitness.
at o'clock Wednesday morning and at
the point of a revolver forced Johnson
to cook him breakfast. After finishing
the meal he told Johnson to go to Ia
revolvers and 100 rounds of ammunition
with the threat that if he gave infor-
nation to the authorities of that place
he would murder the entire family.
johnson left Kent the O'Clock train,
returned at o'clock. While he was
absent from Kent Tracy remained in
the vicinity of the home and appeared
to be uneasy as if expecting visit
from the officers. Several times he went
to the top of a small hill in the rear of
the Johnson home and viewed the sur
rounding country.
Upon the return of johnson from Ia
cook him enough provisions to last
week. She boiled two dozen eggs, fried
bacon and gave him an extra large
supply of sugar and flour.
Tracy compelled the men berS of the
family to remain on the premises until
the return of johnson from Tacoma
He did not leave the house until after
dark. Usually Tracy has engaged in
bits of repartee with members of the
families he has held up. This time ne
appeared to be excited and according
to Johnson seemed very much worried.
Tracy said very little during his stay
at the johnson home. Outside his de-
mandS for food and the instructions he
gave johnson regarding the kind of re-
volvers to purchase he did not attempt
| to open a conversation with any MEM
| bers of the family. In several hon es
| the outlaw has shown a fondness for
| children. At Johnson'S he paid no at
| tention whatever to them and spent his
time in observing persons who passed
| the house.
| johnson has left his home and re-
| fuses to return until Tracy has been
heard from. He is fearful the convict
will return and carry out his threat.
johnson has read the newspaper ac-
| counts of the desperado's acts about
! Seattle. He describes him perfectly and
| now wearing is the same he had on
! at the Gerrell home at Renton. Sheriff
| Cudihee was in conversation with John
son for some time. He procured good
description of the outlaw and also of
| the firearms he has in his possession.
He is certain that the officers were on
a false chase to Green lake Wednesday
| night, but is unable to account for the
unknown man who visited the Hillman
| home.
johnson spoke English poorly and it
was with great difficulty Sheriff Cudi
! hee obtained the facts necessary He
| believes Johnson is telling a true story
| and is thoroughly convinced it was
Tracy who was at the place and not a
| confederate to throw the officers off the
/ track. The fact that the man upon first
| entering the house announced he was
| Tracy is evidence that the whereabouts
of the convict has been established to
! a certainty.
| He proceeded as he has done hereto
fore by ordering the family not to leave
| the room and then demanding some
| thing to eat.
l
| came through the front door with his
rifle in his hand" said Johnson "He
| hrst demanded something to eat. After
my wife had cooked him his breakfast
ne told me he wanted firearms and
ammunition. He gave me to under
stand that his gun was loaded, and that
II old not go to Tacoma and procure
| him two 45-calibre revoIvers and 100
rounds of an munition he would murder
my wife and children. I told him I
did not have the money. He then said
| that l had better go up to Kent and
borrow it. and then get the first train
for Tacoma. I was afraid that if I
did not do as I was told he would kill
my family, and hurried to Kent and
secured some money from a friend and
took the o'clock train. In Tacoma I
| found had only enough money to buy
| one gun. I returned to Kent about
| O'Clock. When 1 reached home I found
| tnat my Wife was in state of nervous
collapse from fright. I gave Tracy the
gun and ammunition and he seemed
pleased.
Shortly after my arrival he again
| ordered my wife to cook him a supply
Of food to last a week
He remained about the house until
dark and then took his departure down
the road on one of my horses. found
the animal today 1t was dark and
can not say which way he went Once
he asked the easiest way to reach Seat
tie He spoke about Auburn. He APP
peared to be very uneasy and after I
returned made several trips into the
yard and looked about to see If any per-
son was approaching
From his actions I believe he
thought he was being pursued. During
the afternoon he took up a position on
hill just in the rear Of my house and
watched the road. He seemed to be
| completely exhausted, and 1 don't think
he has had any sleep since he left Sc
attic and vicinity.
II often wanted to attack him while
he was at the house, but was afraid
he would kill some members of my fam
lily If did SO. He did not give me an
opportunity to get hold of his rifle, be-
sides the gun I bought for him he had
his rifle and an old gun with black
| stock 1t looked like an army revolver
He told me it was not very much good