The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-07
TRACY INQUEST.
Curious Spectators Fl0cking In
From All Directions.
A New Story of the Dead Mans
Daring.
HIS BODY STRIPPED.
Mob Parcels Out the Garments
Of the Dead Outlaw.
His Head Was Made Bald in Many
Places.
HIS BODY STRIPPED.
BANDITS LAST DAYS.
Was Unbidden Guest Of Eddy
Family As Hours.
Assisted the Ranchman and His
Hands With the Work.

Hands With the Work.
Spokane, Wn-, Aug. From all di-
rections curious spectators are f1ocking
to Davenport to view the body of
Harry Tracy, the Oregon bandit, who
killed himself in Farmer Eddy's wheat
field Tuesday night. The body is still
at the undertaker's rooms, but the in
quest has been started in the court
house. 1t is doubtful if it will be COM
pleted before tomorrow.
1t is now believed the body of Tracy
will be sent back to Salem. Ore. for
burial at the penitentiary. 1t is thought
it may arrive in Spokane Saturday
morning Attorney Maurice Smith OF
Creston, one of the posse that fought
the last battle with Tracy, is expected
to accompany the body, representing
the Creston men who claim the reward
1t is believed the famous 30-30 rifle
will be sent to the Oregon officials,
while Tracy's other guns may be dis
tributed among the Creston posse
Sheriff Gardiner still holds the horses
stolen by Tracy, while other relics,
SUCH as the bandits cartridge belt,
bloody handkerchief and the strap with
which he bound his wounded leg are al
ready widely scattered over eastern
Washington
A new story of Tracy's wonderful
daring has come to light. Mr.. McGregor,
the keeper of livery stable at Wilbur
identified him as man who came to his
stable in Wilbur last Friday night. He
says Tracy had two horses which he put
up for the night. He also left his rifle
and a bundle, asking the unsuspecting
liveryman to take care of them until
morning. Where he spent the night is
not known, though it is said he ate at
least one meal in a restaurant in the
town. About 10 a. M Saturday he call
ed for his horses. bundle and ride. paid
his hill and rode aWaV.
HIS GARMENTS PARCELEDs OUT.
Spokane. Wn.,. Aug. 7.-When the
sheriff with the body of Harry Tracy
drove through Davenport hundreds of
people followed UP the street and
crowded about the wagon. By the time
the procession reached Stones moTgue
TIE streets were crowded and from
every corner could be heardS Three
shouts for Lincoln county," The town
was wild. The morgue doors had to be
closed and the crowd was asked to
stand back. A nun Der were allowed to
! see the body, and that is when the
| trouble started. Everyone wanted d
| relic, and most of them got it, for after
| q short time nothing was left but the
| body, and some even suggested that the
! body would be gone before midnight.
| Someone even picked up the clotted,
| bloodstained handkerchief which had
| been used by Tracy to keep from bleed
| ing to death. Before he could carry the
! awful relic away he had to do it up in
| pocket. Someone got the strap which
ha1 been pulled around his leg to keep
! him from bleeding to death. That, too.
| was soaked with blood which ran from
the upper wound. Many locks of his
| 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 Tracy
J cartridges were diJided among the
| men bers of the posse and those that
could get at the buckskfn bag.
/ The reward offered for Tracy amounts
| to si,100, as follows: State of Oregon
81 1.5o0; state of Washington, $500;
brother of J. D. Ferell. one of the
| guards killed by Tracy, 500.
For two days and as many nights
Tracy held the family of Farmer L. r.
| Eddy under subiection.
| The story of the exploits of the fam
| GUS bandit at the Eddy ranch are given
| by the boy who was his servant for over
| a day 1t was Sunday afternoon that
G. E. GOldf1nch was riding a horse
| across the prairie not far from the Eddy
| farm. He noticed a strange man camp
ed not far from where he passed. To all
appearances the stranger was just hav-
ing his supper, but young Goldfinct
! paid no attention to him. noticing moth
ing unusual in his actions. Just as the
boy was going by the camper called out
asking him to have some supper. With
the reply that he had finished his sup
per Goldfnch did not even slacken the
pace of his horse, and passed the strang.
| er. 1t was then that an imperative COM
mand from the stranger brought Gold
finch to a sudden stop. He was ordered
to come back. This order the lad obeyed
With his usual ceremony the OUTLAW
soon made himself known. He inquired
the waY to the nearest farm and was
| directed to the Eddy ranch. Tracy a.
this time still had two horses. One HI
rode; the other, the boy says, was load
ed with groceries,. meat. sugar. coffee
and bedding. You go ahead and tel
them 1 am coming" commanded thu
outlaw.
Goldfinch readily complied and start
ed ahead to announce the coming of tht
guest. Tracy however, kept close on ths
| heels of the lad evidently not intending
to give him a chance to give warning.
| On the way to the house Tracy no
ticed rope trailing from his pack ami
NAL
That's leaving bad mark" remark
ed the outlaw and stopped to gather il
the trailing coils. He then proceedet
on his way to the Eddy ranch.
Arriving at the Eddy ranch. Gold
finch Serformed the service allotted Il
| him and soon informed the family VIII,
| the visitor was. The night passed with
out any special happenings SO far as th'
lad relates. In the morning Tracy frs
| made his toilet A bath and a shaw
were included in his morning make up
the farmer and his men providing soap
| towels and water. When the men start
| ed for their work. Tracy discovered the.
| Were constructing an overhead rack II
the barn for the fall crop. The OUTLAW
decided to make himself useful and ID