The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1902-06-17
Merrill and Tracy Open the Battle
---One Officer Wounded Cap
ture Seems Imminent

VANCOUVER Wash. June I7--An doubts as to the
eeabouts of the outlaws Tracy and Merrill
~ morning by battle which place between them and
% guards Luther Davidson and Herman Biesecker
xwss wounded.
party of about who securing the woods
waeing several smaller trails. travelling away
0ards about o'clock this morning with purpose
fnking up stations for watch Two of the party.
dson and Besecker considerable way in advance
is main party and riding in single buggy AS they
the Belts bridge crossing Salmon creek they
- down the edge of the and drink
Neither of the guards believed the be the fugtves
"a supposed them be merely of the other guards
the bridge. As they approached however all doubts
at rest when of the stepped from the brush
10 which had been made. and recognized
Tney.
withou, hesitation the guards jumped from the buggy
I'd sprang the other side OF it, opening FIRE the
srush in which the eonvicts had again sought
Immediately after both eonviets stepped into the
p< did the guards and commenced exchanging shots
ne guards and eonvicts while
6sanee of 100 yards apart
Fought An Hour
For hour the skrnishcd round each other Final
guards conclusion that the outlaws
the brush and having lost hope of relief
n any other members of the officers possee resolved
&c towards Orchards for assistance.
On examining their horse they found that four OF the
lots from the conviets rifles had taken effect in the animal
nc xht the TANKS and back OF the head but none
" them crippled him.
The guards climbed the buggy and started
Orchards when another slade fred from brush only
shot taking effect It passed between Beseckers arm
nd body nfctng flesh wound and cutting away
Realizing the fuiy of oongng the battle the guards
6nued their drive to this city
Return With Hounds
On arriving here the reported the news OF the en-
eement aposse the bridge taking
Il. r.
Carson direct them Bieseckcr and Davidson are both
pod shots the latter wearing sharphootes medal gained
While Of the Fourteenth United States infantry
The officers beating the brush securing the
woods hounds in the vicinity where the skirmsh
place expected that any minute another
htte will reach here
At this same bridge accident took place yesterday
Which may result Gripping fe possible of
William Morris of the volunteer members Of the posse
H. companion guarding the bridge when another
nrty OF officers saw them distance and, msakng
hem for the convcts fired shot with Marlin rife. The
ball took effect Morris thigh SCATTERING very badly
LATERThs officers the brush following the hound.
~ $50 o'clock this ornins the hounds pick
= s @ a sb so. ~" ssnnos long se.os them
ssnd village 10 miles from here and attempt to cross the Lewis
the bridge La Center Il
viii the Of the county
ss. at Lss'.s. y 'Do 0s . oo.s ~. r. nn
swiftly, and in places from $50 to 300 fee. !" breadth
.s.. tn. rive. they would again gain
an Of nssbsash and forest through which they
way Auboys The rsnehers Of the
n warned by and sn.sss N the PURSUIT.
n the fusvss In the hope OF gaining the dead or
To cain the Lewis river what known
Brush plains where covering not 20 oooa sna ~ p
huudln