The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-08-07
OUTLAW TRACY DEAD
Wounded and at Bay, He
Shoots Himself.
HELD POSSE OFF FOR FOUR HOURS.
Convict Had Killed Eight Men ana
TcrrOrixed Two States For Weeks,
Eiuding All EEorts to Eff
feet His Capture.


feet His Capture.
TACOMA, Wash, aug. t. Harry
Tracy, the outlaw, has killed himself
in a swamp near Eddy farm, eleven
miles from Creston, Wash.
He had spent two days at EDDY
farm. A boy who saw him there car
ried the news to the sheriff, who
rushed to the scene with posse. Ira
cy retreated to the swamp and gave
battle for four hours.
Late at night long range duel was
fought, the posse centering its FIRE
upon the spot where Tracy was be-
lieved to be in the tall grass.
Members of the posse heard shot
about IL o'clock, but did not venture
into the swamp until morning.
The outlaw was then found dead,
shot through the heart with his fa-
nous Winchester.
He had been severely wounded, and
his leg had been broken.
For two days and as many nights
Tracy held the family Of Farmer l.. B.
Eddy under subsection. Here again
he showed the qualities of nerve and
cool headedness, but these very quail
ties brought about his downfall. Had
he not allowed G. Il. Goldfnch the
eighteen 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 ter
ror his words of warning would give
to the lad.
The story of the exploits OF the IA
nous bandit at the Eddy ranch are
given by the boy, who was his servant
Tor over day. 1t was Sunday after
noon that Goldfinch was riding horse
across the prairie not far from the
Eddy farm. He noticed strange
man camped not far from where he
passed TO all appearances the stran-
ger was just having his supper, but
young Goldfnch paid no attention to
him. not seeing anything unusual in
his actions. Just as the boy was going
by the camper called out. asking him
10 have some supper. With the reply
that he had finished his supper, Gold
finch did not even slackcn the pace OF
his horse and passed the stranger. 1t
was then that an Imperative command
from the stranger brought Goldiinch
to sudden 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
directed to the Eddy place. Tracy ut
this time still had two horses. One he
rode; the other. the boy says, was
loaded with meat, sugar, coffee and
bedding.
"You go ahead and tell them | am
coming commanded the outlaw.
Gcldfinch readily complied and start
ed ahead to announce the coming OF
the guest. Tracy. however kept close
on the heels of the lad, evidently not
intending to give him chance to give
warning.
Arriving at the Eddy ranch, Gold
finch performed the service allotted to
him and soon told the family who the
visitor was. The night passed without
any special happenings, so far as the
lad relates. In the morning Tracy
first made his toilet. A bath and a
shave were included in his morning
makoup. the farmer and his nien hav-
ing provided soap, towels and water.
During the day the outlaw decided to
make himself useful and, divesting
himself of his Winchester and one Of
his revolvers, labored with the other
men during most of the morning. He
kent one revolver. however, in the
holster by his side ready for instant
use.
Monday evening Tracy told Gold
finch he might co. He was cautioned,
however, on pain of death not to tell
what had happened until Wednesday.
1t was this very display of nerve that
had heretofore made the outlaw ap-
parently safe, but this time caused his
ruin. Goldtinch. instead of being sutli-
GENTLY terrorized to keep silent, soon
spread the news and aroused a posse.
Tracy had killed eight men. He es-
capped from Salem penitentiary ten