Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-08-14
Last of Outlaw Tracy

1t was this afternoon inferred in the
prison cemetery. The members Of the
Washington posse claim the entire
reward OF $500 offered by this state
but no settlement was had, for the
reason that the following telegram
was received from Sheriff J. II. Gard
ner, OF Lincoln County, Washington,
ut the Governors Office shortly after
the arrival OF the convict's body in this
city; "Do not pay Tracy reward un-
til other claims can be filed" Thus
lar no other claimants to the reward
have made themselves known, nor
have any claims been filed against the
state. But ior the receiving OF the
Gardner telegram or.other conflicting
claim, 1t was the intention OF the
Oregon officers to settle with the mem
bers OF the Washington posse ON the
basis of the reward. When the Gard
aer telegram was received Superinten-
dent Lee informed the men to whom
he had given n receipt for the body
that further negotiations pertaining
to the reward would necessarily have
to be deferred until it has been decided
to whom the money shall be paid. He
further said that he would prefer that
the Washington contestants for the
reward compromise upon a man to
whom the Oregon officials might turn
over the money, the agent to hold the
same until the proper manner of its
distribution might be determined
This plan would relieve this state OF
any participation in the controversy.
The final chapter in the remarkable
career Of the multi-murderer was re-
cited in Salem today when the re-
mans of the criminal We're buried be-
side those of his associate, in-crime.
David Merrill, in the prison burying
ground. Tracy's body reached this
city on the helatcd overland train at
ll;20 O'Clock this morning. 1t was
accompanied to Salem by Cohssaple
G. A. Straub, DR. E. c. Lanter and At
torney Maurice Smith, of Creston,
Wash, from whom the body was re-
ceiyed by Superintendent j. d. Lee,
OF the state penitentiary, after receiv-
ing the assurance that the casket con
taiaed the body of Harry Tracy. No
sooner had the rough box containing
the remains reached the platform at
the depot than score OF half-cra2ed
relic hunters in wild scramble sep
arated themselves from the large
throng that surged about the baggage
car and with knives began the mutt
lation Of the box containing the re.
mains, in order to get mere splinter
OF wood that might serve as souvenir
But for the prompt Intervention OF
Superintendent Lee, who was on the
ground, the box would surely have
been hacked to pieces, and it was only
by threatening the disturbers with ar
rest that the casket could 30 removed
TO the wagon without further mOlesta-
ton. Attended by Farmer john Por--
ter, Of the prison, who was placed in
charge OF the remains, and the others,
the body was driven direct to the PEN
itentiary. Arrived there, the box was
carried into the turkeys room
where, for the first time since the
body left Davenport, the cover to the
casket was removed. The body was
positively identified as that OF Tracy
by Superintendent Lee, Warden James,
Turnkey McCormick, and shop guards
John Stapleton and Albert Steiner
The remains were viewed by about a
score Of persons outside Of the prison
officials and employees Of the institu.
tion, IN addition to large number Of
the trusy prisoners, while many OF
those inside the walls We're given the
privilege Of looking upon tue remains
While there were probably 500 people
at the depot station drawn thither by
curiosity, but very few presented
themselves at the prison TO take a
last look. When the body had been
Identified and the remains had been
viewed by those who cared to, the
casket WAS closed and removed to the
prison cemetery where it WAS inferred
beside the body OF Merrill No service
Of any kind attended the burial.
Before the interment, chemicals
were introduced into the casket that
will destroy the body. This will de
feat the expected attempt to steal the
body In addition to this precaution
Superintendent Lee says the grave
viii be closely watched aud warm
reception viii await the visit OF any
nliscl lieyious visitors.