The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-06
TRACY COMPARED WITH JAMES
Captures a Yacht and Commands the
Crew.

Cr0Ws
In all the criminal lore of the coun-
try there is no record equal to that of
Harry Tracy for cold-blooded nerve.
desperation and thirst for crime. Jesse
James, compared with Tracy, was
Sunday school teacher.
Tracy capped the climax in a long Sc
ries of startling and nervy misdeeds
and crimes by boldly forcing the owners
of a launch at South Bay, near Olym-
pia, to convey him post haste to
Seattle. Tracy commanded the little
craft by standing watch over her crew,
his long, hungry-looking Winchester
constantly keeping the men in the boat
in range Tracy's fingers toyed with the
was alert, and the slightest unusual
movement brought him to his feet, with
his keen, steel blue eyes scanning the
faces fhis CON panions for the slight
est trace of desire to injure him.
Years of law breaking and association
with desperadoes had given Tracy mar
velously quick powers of perception and
knack of reading faces that was won
derfui. So he had no difficulty in maxi
stand even without a spoken word that
if they valued their lives they would
never for moment think of betraying
left the launch at Meadow Point, near
Ballard, and Immediately started for
Seattle.
CAPTURES FISHING CAMP
Just as the sun was breaking through
long lines of mist and fog that hung
over South Bay, near Olympia, the lit
tie fishing camp of the Capital City
Oyster company was invaded by Tracy,
who took con mand over the men in the
camp and boldly ordered them to fur
nish him with a meal some wearing
apparel, and lastly to take him to Sc
attic. The convict entered the tent oc-
cupied by Horatio Alling. who is man
ager of the industry and who was for
YnGrlV 0QDllfV under the 10 ' ~
of state. w. D. jenkins. at Olympia.
Without losing a moment Tracy spoke
to Alling. Said he:
I'm Tracy, the convict. I want
something to eat right away. Be quiet
and raise no fuss. and I'll not harm
you"
Tracy fondled his rifle and watched
Alling, William Adair and the cook, the
only occupants of the tent, finish the
preparations for the morning meal
which was shortly to be served the men
who had been fishing in the oyster boats
all night long.
Just as breakfast was ready, John
| Messegee and Frank Scott, two of the
employees of the company, entered the
tent. Tracy Immediately ordered them
to sit at one end of the room while he
drank cup of steaming hot coffee that
was placed before him by the fright
ened Allfng, and ate some bacon and
fried potatoes.
In the midst of the meal Tracy asked
near the tent. Then he commanded the
cook to call Captain Clark, master of
| the IN. & S. tc breakfast. The cook
complied and Clark entered, accom-
| panied by his son Edwin. Tracy waited
| for them to finish their meal without
revealing his identity. Then he ordered
| Captain Clark to take his hands out
! of his pockets
'Who are you?" dema nded Clark. who
had nervously watched the stranger, but
| without believing. that there was any
! thing more than a practical joke in his
| desperate appearance<and his general
attitude of belligerency.
Tracy lost time in saying who he
| was and that he meant business all the
| time. He ordered CAPTAIN Clark and
| his son to march ahead Of him down to
| the shore, where the launch lay He
| ordered Clark to get up steam at once,
| saying he wished to go to Seattle. Re-
| peatedly he said that he would kill in
! cold blood the first man that failed to
| obey his orders or w1o made a false
move.
ON BOARD THE LAUNCH.
Tracy even helped to get the engines
| in working order When all was ir
| readiness he sent Scott back to Alling's
| tent, where he had left Alling and the
cook bound hand and foot, for some
+, clothing and shoes. Scott did as Or
! dered. returning with a coat and vest
| belonging to Alling and the cooks shoes
| and trousers. Then he ordered the crew
=