Evening star., 1902-08-07
RELICS OF A BANDIT
People Wanted Mementoes Of
Tracy.
DIVIDED HIS CLOTHING
MANY LOCKS OF HAIR CARRIED
AWAY.
Story of the Last Few Days Of the Out
law-Overconfidence Led
to His Ruin.

ohANE, WdSU., August t.-W ueu the
sheriff, with the body of Tracy, the outlaw
who shot himself to avoid capture Tuesday
night, drove through Davenport hundreds of
persons followed up the street and crowded
about the wagon. By the time the wagon
reached the morgue the streets were crowd
ed and the morgue doors had to be closed.
Several persons were allowed to see the body
and then trouble began. Every one wanted
relic, and in a short time nothing was left
but the body. Some one even picked up the
bloodstained handkerchief which had been
used by Tracy to keep from bleeding to
death. Many locks Of the desperado's hair
were carried away, and in some places his
head had been made bald. His trousers
were cut into strips, and before they were
divided they were cut into smaller pieces.
Many of Tracys cartridges were divided
among the members of the posse.
The fate of Tracy, the western outlaw,
who had eluded the authorities of two
states for two months. but was finally run
down Tuesday night, was due to his own
over confidence. The story OF his last two
days on earth is interesting. For two days
and as many nights he held the family of
Farmer L. B. Eddy under subsection. Here
again he showed his nerve and cooIhead-
edness, but these very qualities brought
about his downfall. Had he not allowed
G. E. Goldfinch, the eighteen-year boy,
to leave the ranch when he did the SEQUEL
might have been different, but the out
law overestimated the terror his words
of warning would give to the lad
The story of the exploits of the famous
bandit at the Eddy ranch are given by
the boy, VINO was his servant for over a
day. 1t was Sunday afternoon that Gold
finch 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 stranger
was just having his supper, but young
Goldfinch 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 to have some sup
per. With the reply that he had finished
his supper, Godfinch did not even slacken
the pace of his horse. and passed the
stranger. 1t was then that an imperative
command from the stranger brought Gold
finch to sudden stop. He was ordered to
come back. This order the boy obeyed.
With his usual ceremony he soon made
himself known. He inquired the way to
the nearest farm and was directed to the
Eddy place. Tracy at this time still had
two horses. One he rode, the other, the
boy says, was loaded with groceries, meat,
sugar, cOffees and bedding.
You go ahead and tell them I am COM
ing" commanded the outlaw.
Goldfinch 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. That's
leaving bad mark said the outlaw, and
stopped to gather in the trailing coils. He
then went on his way to the Eddy ranch.
At the Eddy Ranch.
Arriving there, Goldfnch 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 mornings make
up, 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 in the barn for the fall crop. The out
law decided to make himself useful, and,
dvesting himself of his Winchester and one
Of his revolvers labored with the other
men during most of the morning. He kept
one revolver. however, in the holster by
his 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 Goldfinch after
the weapons and proudly passed them
around TO the awe-strcken workmen. They
were allowed to handle the weapons and in
spect, but 1t Is said they took care not to
have the muzzles of the guns pointing to-
ward the outlaw. Tracy all this time had
a revolver himself, and left no opening for
the farmers to get the drop him. That
his men attempting to take advantage of
the opening was vouched for by himself,
he having remarked to the farmer, Il am
not afraid of you" During the day the
outlaw remarked that he needed a new
holster one Of his revolvers being unsup-
piled. Young Goldfinch was instructed to
find the leather, after which the outlaw
soon made a hoster.
Monday evening Tracy told Goldfnch he
might go. He was cautioned. however. on
pain Of death, not to tell what had hap
pened until Wednesday.
The Country Aroused.
1t was this very display of nerve that
had heretofore made the outlaw appar-
emily safe that this time caused his ruin
Goldfinch, instead of being sufficiently ter
rorized to keep peace, soon spread the
news and aroused posse. The party made
all possible haste in getting to the ranch,
which is on Lake creek, about three miles
south from Fellows, station on the
Washington Central railroad. When with
in few hundred yards of the farm they
encountered Farmer Eddy moving in one
of his fields. While engaging him in con-
VerSat1on they saw man issuing from the
barn door.
rs that Tracy?" asked one Of the party.
ut surely is.' replied Eddy.
The party separated, Eanter and Smith
accompanying Eddy In the direction of the
barn, while the other two men swung
around to the other side. Two of the man
hunters Steppeu DenlnQ the Darn on slight
eminence. from which they could watch
everything that went on, and Eddy con-
tinued on up to the door. Tracy came
from the barn again and began helping his
host unhitch the horses. He carried no
rife, although he had his revolvers in place.
The fugitive finally saw the men carrying
rifles. and turned sharply to Eddy and said:
WHO are those men?"
II don't see any men," said Eddy
Tracy pointed out the two men on the
hill. Eddy informed his companion who
the men were, and the outlaw made leap
for the barn door. The pursuers stepping
a bit closer commanded, Hold up your
hands!
The outlaw jumped behind Eddy and first
placed the farmer and then his horse be-
tween himself and the pursuers. He COM
manded the farmer to lead his horse to the
barn and remained under cover, moving
toward shelter. When near the stable he
broke and dashed inside. He quickly re-
appeared. rifle in hand, and started on a
dead run
Shot Without Hitting.
Turning the two men nearest him the
desperate fired two shots, but without his
usual luck. neither bullet taking effect.
Without waiting for further fighting Tracy