The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1902-06-21

animal writhed with pain. Next
moment he was struck by other
bullets from the unseen foe, and
tore madiy in the direction of the
Foulth Plain road en- route to Van
couver. 1t is curious that the bug
gy was not upset, considering the
rough ground aad the spsen taken
by the horse, but the latter never
stopped until he landed in Vancou.
yer about 2 O'Clock this morning,
B.esecker Immediately communi.
catsd with Sheriff Marsh, Wild had
been asleep, tired With the hard
chase of the previous day, bu5 after
consultation, it was deemed advig-
able to await the arrival Of the
blood hounds before setting out in
pursuit. The news that Bleseeker
had arrived in town aud that he
had narrowly escaped being wound
ed in vital part, by one of the fu-
gitives bullets, spread through the
place with surprising rapidity, and
in reply to queries from curious
people. Blesecker at first denied
that he had exchanged shots with
the convicts. But in conversation
with The Oregonian correspondent,
the guard gave brief details of the
midnight encounter, and added:
"They took six or seven clips at NE,
but did not get me.
Guard Carson, of the Walla Wal
ia penitentiary, arrived with his
bloodhonnds at Vancouver at 8 o.
clock this mornirg, and found the
manhunters inpatiently awaiting
for him. The dogs were taking to
the basement of a nearby hotel,
and Carson had breakfast. At 9
o'clock the start was made, aud the
various members of the posse tum.
bled into their carryaHs and bug
giea, clutching their rifles and am
munition.
The route was taken to the patch
of timber land near Salmon Creek,
where B esecker and Davidson had
their battle with the convicts, and
the ragged clothes which Tracy and
Merrill left yesterday morning in
H nry Llede's cabin, near Orchard,
we're shown to the dogs. The saga
cious brutes Immediately began to
bay, and at first walked around in
a circle. It was critical moment,
and it looked for a few minutes as
if the dogs were at a loss, but they
at last found trail leading toward
the Manor country. The scent was
found leading toward Ridgefeld.
But Tracy and Merrill were ahead
of them doing business.
Two miles from Ridge6eld they
had held up A. Kauzler, who was
driving two horses for his son-in-
law, John Rathburn, and the out
laws rode en- the horses, it is believ-
ed, to Pioneer church. and then
turned in the direction OF Lewis
Vile and La Center, below the Lew
is river. The bloodhounds were
mean while, hot on the trail, but
when within some little distance of
La Center, the dogs halted and were
at loss how to procead. The scent
was aggain lost. Tnis was about
o'clock this afternoon, and there
was nothing to do but to proceed to
La Center to dinner. The meal was
lust being served, when messen-
ger hurried in and stated that he
had met and recognized Tracy and
Merrill about three quarters OF
mile from La Center. Men and
hounds Immediately started on this
new trail, and had not proceeded
very far when they heard number
of shots exchanged, bot after search
ing in the brush for a considerable
distance, not one single trace of the
fugitives could be got. Tracy and
Merrill were lost again, and preterr-
ed to remain in hiding.
"We're too far north now to rs
turn to Vancouver. Better camp
here tonight and watch bridges and
passes" was the decision Of the
council of war. Sc Detectives Snow
and Lerrigan we're sent to guard
one bridge FIVE miles away, and
Day and Weiner agreed to hold up
another bridge against all comers,
Other members of the band are
guarding various crossroads IN the
viainity. and will do their best to
bar the outlaws further progress.
That is the last heard of the posse
tonight, It remains to be seen how
the famous chase vii end.