The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-08-07
TRACY DIES
BY OWN HAND
Outlaw Prefers Death to
Capture.
SURROUNDED BY A POSSE
Places Revolver to Head and
Pulls Trigger.
Story of the Desperate Whose Re
cord is One of the Darkest
in the Annals of
Criminalogy.
SURROUNDED BY A POSSE

Spokane, Wash, Aug. 6.-Ol.law Harry
Tracey. who, with David Merrill, escaped
from the Oregon penitentiary at Salem
June Q, after killing three prison guards,
committed suicide early this morning after
being so badly wounded by bullets from
the guns of a pursuing posse that his
death was a matter of few hours only
Tracy was hunted to the death by
posse of Creston citizens. Surrounded,
he engaged in a running pattle with his
pursuers His leg was broken by bull
let land an artery bled profusely. He
crept into a wheat field and tried to tie
up the artery.
Becoming desperate, he put his revolver
to his head and fred bullet into his
brain.
At daylight this morning his body was
found, already cold and with the face
turned to the sky. The revolver with
which he killed himself and srasped tight
ly in his right hand, while his left clutch
ed tightly the famous rifle which at
his touch dealt quick death to seven men.
the members of different posses. which
tried to capture him.
His last escapade was on The farm OF
L. B. Eddy near Fellowes. For two days
and as many nights he held the family OF
Mr.. Eddy under subsection. Here again
he showed nerve and coolheadness, but
these very qualities brought Sbout his
downfall. Had he not allowed G. e.
Goldfinch, an 18-year old boy, to leave
the ranch when he did. the story today
might be different. But the outlaw had
too much faith in estimating the terror
his word of warning would give to the
lad.
At the Eddy Ranch.
The story of the expi5its Of the ftnlG IS
bandit at the Eddy ranch are given by
the boy who was his servant fer over a
day. 1t was Sunday afternoon that Gold
finch was riding a horse :.cross the
prairie not far from the Eddy farm. He
noticed a strange man camped not far
from where he passed. To all appear
ances the stranger was just av1ng his
supper, but young Goldhnch paid no at
tention to him, not seeing anything
unusual in his actions. Just as the boy
was going by the camper called out, ask
ing him to have some supper. With the
reply that he had just finished his supper
Goldfinch did not even slachen the pace
of his horse and passed the stranger II
was then that an imperative command
from the man brought GoIufinch to sud
den stop He was ordered TO come back
This order the boy obeyed.
With his usual ceremony Tracy soon
made himself known. He inquired the
way to the nearest farm and was direct
ed to the Eddy home. Tracy at this time
still had two horses. One he rode. the
other the boy says, was loaded with gro
ceries and bedding.
You go ahead and tell them I am
coming" commanded the outlaw.
Goldfnch readily complied and started
ahead to announce the coming of the
guest Tracy, however, kept close on the
heels of the lad. evidently not intending
to give him a chance to give warning.
On the way to the house Tracy noticed
rope trailing from his pack animal.
Covered His Trail.
That's leaving a bad mark" said the
outlaw, and stopped to gather in the
trailing coils. He then went on his way
to the Eddy ranch.
Arriving there Tracy told the family
who he was The night passed without
any special happening. In the morning
Tracy first made his toilet. bath and
shave were included in his morning make
I'D. the farmer and his men having pro-
vided SOAP towels and water. When the
men started for their work Tracy discov-
cred they were constructing an overhead
rack for the fall crop. The outlaw decid-
ed to make himself useful and divesting
himself of his rife and one OF his revolv
ers. labored with the other men during
most of the morning. He kept one re-
VolVer, however in the holster by MS SIDE
ready for instant use.
During the day the outlaw wanted his
other weapons which had been left with
his bedding and travelling outfit. He sent
Goldfnich after the weapons and proudly
passed them around to the awe-stricken
workmen. They were allowed to handle
the weapons and inspect them but, it is
said, they took care not to have the muz-
zles Of the guns pointing toward the out
law Tracy, all this time, had revolver
himself and left no opening for the farm
ers to get the drop on him. That the
outlaw stood in no fear of Eddy and his
men attempting to take advantage of the
opening was vouched for by himself, he
having remarked TO the farmer, II am
not afraid of you" During the day the
outlaw remarked that he needed a new
holster one of his revolvers being with
out a holder. Young Goldhnich was in
structed to find the leather after which
the outlaw soon made a holster.
Monday evening Tracy told Goldfnch he
might go He was however, cautioned on
pain of death not to tell what had han
pened until Wednesday. 1t was this very
display of nerve. which heretofore had
made the outlaw safe, that this time
caused his ruin. Goldfnch, instead of be-
ing sufficiently terrorized to keep peace,
soon spread the news and aroused
posse.
Death Intensely Tragic.
The death was intensely tragic. Five
determined cltIzens Of Creston, Tearing of
his presence at Eddys, cook their rifles
and revolvers and went after lin. They
knew their man and acted accordingly.
When Tracy ran they plunged boldly
after him Sighting the men, and secur-
ing his rife. Tracy sought cover behind
a hay stack. escaping several life bull
let's. The posse then found cover be-
hind a large rock and for a while It looked
like a siege Then Tracy broke for a
LARGE hnnIder LAYING on the edge of a