Fergus County argus., 1902-08-13

Tracy held the family of Farmer Ed
dy under subjectior. Here again he
showed nerve and cool-headedness
but these very qualities brought about
his downfall. Had he not allowed G.
E. Goldflnch, the 1S-year-old boy, to
leave the ranch when he did the story
might be different. But the outlaw
had too much faith IN estimating the
terror his words of warning would
give to the lad.
The story of the exploits OF the
famous bandit at the Eddy ranch IS
given by the boy, who was his serv'
ant for over a day. It was Saturday
afternoon that Goldfnch was riding
a horse across the prairie, not far
from the Eddy farm. when he noticed
strange man camped not far from
where he passed To all appearances
the stranger was just having supper
but young Goldfnch paid no attention
to him, not noticing anything unusu-
al in his actions.
Just as the boy was going by the
camper called out, asking him to
have some supper. With the reply
that he had just finished his supper,
Goldfnch did not even slacken his
horse, and passed the stranger. 1t
was then that an imperative command
from the man that brought Goldfinch
to sudden stop. He was ordered 10
come back. This order the boy
obeyed.
With his usual ceremony, Tracy
soon made himself known. He in
quired the way to the nearest farm
and was directed to the Eddys. Tracy
at this time still had two horses. One
he rode, the other, the boy says, was
loaded with groceries and bedding.
You go ahead and tell them I'm
coming" said the outlaw. Goldfinch
easily complied and started ahead to
announce the coming of the guest.
Tracy, however. kept close ito the
heels of the lad, evidently not intend.
ing to give him a chance to give
warning. .....
On the way to the house Tracy no.
ticed rope trailing from mis- pack
animal.
That's leaving a bad mark, said
the outlaw, and he stopped to gath
er In the trailing coil. He then went
on his way to the Eddy ranch. Ar.
irving there, Goldfinch performed the
service allotted to him and soon told
the family who the visitor was. The
night passed without any special hap
pening. In the morning Tracy first
made his toilet. A bath and shave
was included in his morning make up
The farmer and his men provided
soap. towels and water. When the
men started for their work. Tracy dis
covered there was an overhead racl
in the barn for the fall crop.
The outlaw decided to make him
self useful and, divesting himself o.
his rifle and one of his revolvers, la
borea with the other men during mos
OF The morning. He kept one revolv
er, however. in a hostler oy his side
ready for instant use. During tn,
o day the outlaw wanted his othe
weapons, which had been left will
his bedding and ira cling outfit II,
sent Coldhnoh after the weapons an,
). then proudly passed Them around t
a the workmen.
, They were allowed to handle tn,
|. weapons and inspect them, but, it i
a stated. they took care not to have tn
G muzzles pointed toward the outlaw
O Tracy all this time had a revolve
q himself and left no opening for tn
farmers to get the drop on him.
That the outlaw stood in no fea
of Eddy rand his men attempting /
take advantage of him was vouche
{. for by himself. he having remarks
to the farmer: Il am not afraid O
you.
!. During the day the outlaw remarke
. that .he needed new holster, one O
his revolyers being without one
, Young Goldfnch was instructed I
find some leather, after which tn
/, outlaw soon made a holster.
:, Monday evening Tracy told Cole
= finch he might go. He was. however
:. cautioned, on pain of death, not I
tell what happened. 1t was thi
, very display of nerve. which hereto
!. fore had made the outlaw safe, tina
!, this time proved bis undoing.
!. Story of the Long Chase.
70 Portland. Ore, Aug. 6.-Tracy an
!. Merrill escaped from the Oregon pc,
J.. itentiary early Monday morning. Jun
/, 8, after killing three prison guard
The arms with which they murdere
!. the guards we're placed in the fount
= ry by confederates during the prev
Gus night, and when. the convict
went TO work. Tracy and Merrill ol
ened fire. killing three guards an
wounding a convict.
They were pursued by bloodhound
and hundreds of armed men fror
Marian and Clackamas counties fo