ch. 3, pt. 2: pp. 113-118 TABLE OF CONTENTS p. 126: Davenport, pt. 1
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It was in Lincoln county that the great man-hunt after the desperado, Harry Tracy, came to a tragical close. This is not the place to rehearse the history of his original crime, or to feed the morbid appetite of youth with the story of this outlaw's miserable and worthless life. It is sufficient to say that he, in company with one Merrill, escaped from the penitentiary in Oregon, overpowered and killed the guard and fled north and eastward. Having afterward murdered Merrill in cold blood Tracy continued on his way east, crossed the Cascades and entered the Big Bend country via Moses Coulee. Until he reached the Eddy farm, near Creston, Lincoln county, he successfully evaded pursuit, although closely harried by Sheriff Cudihee, who was hot on his trail. Shortly after Tracy's escape, and while he was committing his first desperate deeds of blood, the Lincoln County Times contained the following editorial. Subsequent events proved the Times to have been right, yet at the time it was written the editor of the journal had not the faintest idea that the concluding act of the tragedy was to be played on Lincoln county soil. He said:
________________________The Oregon convicts who have escaped over the Washington line are, evidently, impressed with the terror their names inspire. Upon entering some farm house they announce their names, then proceed to issue
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orders as though obedience would immediately follow as a consequence. They are liable to go up 'against the real thing' somewhere in their travels, however."The following concise account of the final scenes in the life of this miserable criminal and degenerate, Tracy, is taken from the columns of the Davenport Tribune, and is uncolored by prejudice:
Two months, lacking three days, from the time Harry Tracy killed the guards and escaped from the Oregon penitentiary, his remains were brought to Davenport, he having sent a revolver bullet through his brain, shooting himself in the right eye. From the day he left the timber and took his chances in an open country, it was only a matter of time when he would be captured or killed.
To George Goldfinch more than any other person belongs the credit of hastening the end. George Goldfinch is a young man about 19 years of age. He met Tracy near Lou Eddy's place on Lake creek, fifteen miles southwest of Davenport, Sunday afternoon, August 3, 1902. He came upon a man in camp on the high divide, who invited him to take tea with him. The boy refused, having recently partaken of dinner. Tracy passed himself off as a miner and insisted upon the boy eating, standing with a revolver and rifle in his hand. The conversation started about the crops in general, then to the Jeffries-Fitzsimmons fight, and finally drifted to Tracy. He asked where Tracy was, and Goldfinch replied that it was reported he was near Wilbur. Then the man replied, "I am Tracy." He then demanded of the boy to guide him to Lou Eddy's place and coiled up a rope that had been dragging, saying it was a bad sign, and accompanied him four miles to Eddy's place and went to the house.
During the trip he said if the road was obstructed by a clump of bushes or high rock, to have Goldfinch drop behind him. as he did not desire that he should be the one killed should there be a posse ahead of him. When they arrived at the house he informed Lou and Gene Eddy who he was, and as Lou had his team hitched up, going to Ben Hurley's, he made Lou put his team back in the barn, and all three go into the field and cut hay for Tracy's horses. At the house he got Lou to fix a holster for his revolver, sharpen his razor, knife, and mend his cartridge belt, as the loops were too large for the cartridges. Afterward Tracy took a bath, shaved and ate supper. He let Goldfinch depart, threatening that if he informed as to his whereabouts he would find the two Eddys stiff in the morning, at the same time saying he might leave that evening and take Lou with him. Goldfinch left for Blenz's ranch where he was employed, and told Blenz that evening, asking his advice as to what course to pursue, but received no satisfactory answer. Goldfinch, having left a letter at Eddy's, returned Monday and was saluted with a "hello" from Tracy, who asked where the sheriffs were, and was answered that he didn't know. Tracy at the time was at work helping the Eddy boys to put on a track to the barn door. He had no rifle and simply had his revolver upon his person.
Goldfinch returned home, went to Creston and called up Sheriff Gardner, asking the operator not to make it public. A posse was immediately formed at Creston, and Tuesday evening, about six o'clock, Tracy was discovered in a wheat field on the Eddy place and a number of shots were exchanged. Marshal O'Farrell met Goldfinch at Fellows, by agreement, and together they went to Eddy's, where they took up a position within forty yards of the house, in a gulch, the only escape in that direction. The Creston posse had the advantage in position, having Tracy at a disadvantage. Guard was kept during the entire night and at the first dawn of morning all closed in, and the corpse of Tracy was found in the wheat field under the bluff, with the right leg broken and a bullet through the
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brain — the latter having been fired by his own hand. Tracy had remarked at Eddy's that he didn't mind being killed, if he was killed outright, and not burned at the stake, as he dreaded. When found the revolver was grasped in his right hand with his finger still on the trigger which sent the bullet upon its deadly mission, only one cartridge having been fired from the revolver.The remains of Tracy, and his camp accoutrements were brought to Davenport and taken to the undertaking parlors of O. W. Stone. Within a few minutes every man, woman and child seemed to be drawn toward Harker street. Coroner R. P. Moore impaneled a jury and examined the remains before them. It was found that he had been shot twice in the right leg, one bullet striking him in the hip and ranging downward; the other bullet broke the leg above the ankle. The missile which did the deadly work entered the right eye, ranging upward, and coming out near the crown. Coroner Moore called the following jury who viewed the remains of the dead convict, Tracy: P. W. Dillon, A. J. Grant, G. K. Birge, William Newton, L. A. Davies, and E. E. Lucas. George Goldfinch was the first witness. Doctors Whitney, Moore and Lanter corroborated each other as to the manner by which Tracy died — from a self-inflicted wound from a 45-Colt's revolver, the ball entering the right eye and coming out at the back of the head. Dr. Lanter then stated bow young Goldfinch came to Creston and sent word to Sheriff Gardner. A posse of five was organized by Constable Straub, of Creston, and they arrived at the house of Lou Eddy about 4 o'clock that evening. They approached the house from the west side and saw a man answering in dress and description to Tracy, coming out of a blacksmith shop. Dr. Lanter had thought that they had better take a shot, but Smith advised caution. They were advancing with drawn guns when Tracy discovered them. He then dodged behind a horse and went toward the barn and when within twelve feet he made a jump and landed inside, secured his gun, came out of the barn another way and, shielding himself behind two hay stacks, struck out for a large rock in the barley field adjoining where he opened fire, which was promptly returned.Tracy made a good target, as every time he rose to shoot he showed his white shirt. After the exchange of eight shots he shifted his position and crawled into the barley. The posse kept shooting whenever they saw any movement. No shots were returned, and in the course of three-quarters of an hour a muffled shot was heard in the field and that was supposed to be the fatal one with which Tracy took his life. Dr. Lanter and Smith fired two shots, and then lay down to await events. This was at 4 :30 o'clock in the evening.Tracy was found lying almost on his face, his left hand holding his Winchester rifle, his revolver in his right, pointing to his forehead. He had, before taking his life, dragged himself a distance of forty yards, indicating that his leg had been broken behind the rock. Constable Straub talked with Eddy who was mowing hay, before Lanter and Smith came upon Tracy at the house. At first Eddy denied that he had such a person around, but admitted that there was a visitor. Straub corroborated Lanter as to the shooting. Sheriff Gardner exhibited the Colt's revolver, and said he fired one shot. The balance of the evidence was in the same strain, and the jury found a verdict that the deceased man was Harry Tracy, and that he had come to his death from a gunshot wound inflicted by his own hand.
Such is the repulsive story as told by a local journal of good repute. There have been bickerings and recriminations by the score concerning the exact details of this tragedy in the Eddy barley field; it would be impossible for the most careful historian to separate fact from fiction; to assert that he, the writer, could pose
as an impartial arbiter of questions innumerable,
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questions still debatable at the time of the present writing. But as reported by the local papers of the immediate community in which these scenes occurred we give the story to our readers without malice and with charity for all. During, or soon after the fight, the interchange of shots between the Creston posse
and the hunted desperado, Sheriff Gardner arrived on the scene. It is his testimony before the coroner's jury that he fired once into the field. He then sent to Davenport for reinforcements to guard the field until morning. Throughout that night armed men gathered around the battleground anxious to be "in at the death," still unconscious that the cold hand of death had already been laid upon Outlaw Tracy.
It was on Wednesday morning that the remains of Tracy were brought to Davenport and taken to the office of an undertaker. Throughout the clay crowds lingered in the vicinity anxious to obtain a view of the dead bandit. It was a gruesome spectacle, as he lay on the floor in his blood-stained clothes, the top of his head gaping open from the self-inflicted gun-wound. He was awaiting identification by Oregon authorities who were expected in on every train. Stories grow with repetition and travel. This is particularly true of the many wild statements regarding alleged "Tracy relic hunters." In papers outside the state of Washington it has been published that the remains were denuded of the clothes; that the hair was cut away. This was a gross exaggeration. Relic hunters did pick up a few buttons and other trinkets, but they did not cut any clothes off. and the dead man's hair was untouched. While the body lay in the undertaker's parlors the Lincoln County Times said:
The sensational events of the life of the outlaw during the few days he passed at the ranch of Lou and Gene Eddy were told to the writer by Lou Eddy. The many reports published about the incidents of these few days conflict with each other and, in many accounts, with the truth. The following account of the tragedy
and the events leading up to it is written from notes furnished the writer by Mr. Eddy, and describes the tragedy as witnessed by the man who had more opportunity to study the character of the outlaw than any other person he encountered in the course of his famous break for liberty, and who was an eye witness of all the events that transpired on his ranch.
The Eddy ranch is located in a rough and rocky scope of country, devoted almost entirely to stock grazing. Surrounding the house and barn of the Eddy boys on nearly all sides rise walls of rock, of similar formation of those of the Coulee walls, but of lesser proportions. The entire aspect is wild in the extreme. To this place on the afternoon of Sunday, August 3, 1902, at about 3:30 p. m., Harry Tracy, the outlaw, accompanied by George Goldfinch, came. Tracy had met young Goldfinch at a point about five miles west, and they had journeyed together to the Eddy ranch. He had revealed his identity to Goldfinch, and just before arriving at the ranch he said he guessed he might as well tell the Eddys who he was. Tracy was armed with his 30-30 Winchester rifle and his .45 Colt's revolver, and had with him two saddle horses. Tracy and Goldfinch came direct to the barn, where they found Lou Eddy. To the latter the outlaw told who he was. He stated that he understood that he was a stock raiser and desired to procure two saddle horses to replace the ones he had. having ridden his all the way from Wenatchee making their hacks sore. Mr. Eddy examined the horses and finding some shoes loose he put these in condition. The outlaw said he would rest awhile and pull out that evening. George Goldfinch expressed his intention of leaving, but to this, at first, Tracy strenuously objected. His intentions were to remain here a few days to recuperate although he had not yet made this known, and he did not wish Goldfinch to leave for fear of his giving
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information of the bandit's whereabouts. He told Mr. Eddy that he had no money but would work for his board during his proposed stay with him. The Eddys were building a barn and inquired of Tracy if he could do carpenter work. He said he was not a carpenter but guessed he could make himself useful. Accordingly the following morning the notorious outlaw set to work carrying boards and nailing them on the roof. He worked all day Monday and nearly all of Tuesday, and Mr. Eddy says he was a first-class workman. During
these two days Mr. Eddy had an excellent opportunity for studying the character of the man who had forced his presence upon him. Tracy spoke freely of his past life and, as Mr. Eddy expressed it, "he could talk an arm off a man." He was a sociable and agreeable talker. He stated that the newspaper reports of his killings were exaggerated; that he had not killed nearly so many people as reported. He, evidently, had no use for bankers nor money loaners. He spoke intelligently of the issues of the day. At night he slept in the open air, as was the custom of the Eddy boys during the hot weather. His sleeping place was about six feet from where Gene Eddy slept. Tracy was ever on the alert and continually kept a lookout for possible posses. While at work on the roof of the barn he would never allow either of the other workmen to get behind him. When it was necessary for one to pass behind him Tracy would always turn and face him, saying something commonplace, as though the turning was done simply to speak and not because of suspicion. The Eddy boys on several occasions talked over the advisability of attempting to capture or kill Tracy. They decided to take no chances and to undertake nothing of the kind unless success was assured. Goldfinch, believing that the outlaw had departed Sunday night, as he had stated that such was his intention, came to the Eddy ranch again Monday to learn if anything had happened. This was late in the evening. Suspicion that the boy would inform against him had been allayed in Tracy's mind, and again Goldfinch was allowed to take his departure. He returned to Adam Blenz's ranch, where he was working, and early the next morning went to Creston, and notified the Lincoln county authorities. It was 5:25 o'clock Tuesday evening, that any one at the Eddy ranch first saw any of the members of the Creston posse. Lou Eddy was mowing hay about one-half a mile northwest of the house, when Messrs. Straub and Lillingren drove up and inquired where Tracy was. Mr. Eddy unhitched and came to the barn. Tracy was in the yard when Eddy came in about 6 o'clock. Suddenly Tracy, who kept a constant lookout, uttered an exclamation and demanded of Eddy:
"Who are those men with guns?"
He had espied the other three members of the posse who, armed with rifles, had appeared on a bluff only a short distance from the barn. Tracy sprang behind the horses and ordered Eddy to lead them to the barn. When within a few feet of it Tracy made a jump and was shielded from his pursuers by the building. He ran along the side of the barn and, entering, secured his rifle. Then in a stooping position he made a run for the large rock in the barley field, about 200 yards northeast of the barn. He was not seen by the posse until just before he reached the rock and only one shot was fired before he gained it. It was behind this rock that Tracy brought all his cunning into play. He would run from one corner of the rock to the other, putting up his cap as a mark, but never in range when his head was in it. Both sides opened fire. Mr. Eddy says the posse fired eight times, Tracy five and Sheriff Gardner once. After several shots had been exchanged Tracy was seen to either jump, or fall, from the rock into the barley field. It was then that Gardner put in an appearance and fired a shot into the field. Within one minute another shot was heard just before sundown — evidently Tracy killing himself — and then all was still. The body of Tracy
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was found at daybreak the next morning. It was immediately taken to Davenport.A bitter fight is on between the Creston posse and Sheriff Gardner — a legacy of the bandit, Tracy, who was killed on the Eddy farm a week ago. The Creston posse stoutly maintain that no officer was near at hand when the fight with Tracy occurred, that Marshal O'Farrell, of Davenport, did not arrive on the ground until an hour later, and that Sheriff Gardner and his son, Charles, were two hours behind the fight. On the contrary the marshal and sheriff claim that they were in at the windup. The following morning Sheriff Gardner took charge of Tracy's remains and brought them to the undertaker's rooms at Davenport. The coroner, Dr. Moore, then took possession of the dead man, held an inquest and appointed members of the Creston posse to escort the remains to Salem, Oregon, and secure the reward. Sheriff Gardner declared that the coroner had no authority to do anything of the kind, and announced that he, himself, would take the remains to Oregon the next morning. He was supported in the position he took by Prosecuting Attorney Caton. The Creston men were greatly incensed over the sheriff's action, and the most serious trouble was feared, as they, the Creston men, were armed, and stated that they would resist the sheriff's attempts to take the body at any cost. It was at this stage of the proceedings that Sheriff Gardner acceded to their demands, and announced that he would allow them to go to Oregon with the body.Arriving at Salem, the Creston men were refused the reward, the governor informing them that a message had been received from the sheriff of Lincoln county requesting him to pay no rewards until all claims were presented and considered. No settlement has yet been made. Sheriff Gardner claims that be is entitled to a share of the reward. It is understood that a conference will be held between the different claimants this week, and that an effort will he made to reach some agreement. Meanwhile the Creston people are thoroughly wrought up over the affair and sentiment throughout the county appears to be strongly in their favor.
The last scene in the Tracy drama was enacted in the courts of Lincoln county in June, 1903. It concerned the $2,500 reward offered by the state of Washington for the capture of Tracy. The contest was between the Creston party — Dr. Lanter, C. A. Straub, Maurice Smith, J. J. Morrison and Frank Lilliangreen — who attacked and captured Tracy. At first there were a number of other claimants in company with young Goldfinch, including Sheriff Gardner, but later they all withdrew their claims. On motion of plaintiff's attorney the jury was instructed to bring in a verdict for the members of the Creston posse. Young Goldfinch, unfortunately allied himself against the men who participated in the capture, and in the
legal contest was beaten. Sentiment, however, was strongly in the boy's favor, and the public would have been pleased to have seen him share in the reward. There is one point in this matter that, so far, has been overlooked by the "public." It is evident to the candid reader that Goldfinch was betrayed from the start. He telegraphed Sheriff Gardner concerning the whereabouts of Tracy. He did more, he requested the operator to keep his secret. It was the duty of the operator to do this. But a man named J. J. Morrison, who was in the office at the time, spread the news. He communicated it to the Creston people. The posse hastily organized by Constable Straub, and, unknown to Goldfinch, marched on the doomed outlaw. Goldfinch had, also, made an appointment with Marshal O'Farrell, an appointment which he kept to the letter. All of Goldfinch's information so far had been turned into the proper official channels. No wonder he felt chagrined to find how sadly his plans bad miscarried. Certainly Goldfinch has a grievance.
The Washington Tracy reward, $2,500 was
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paid over to the Creston men in December, 1903, thus ending a long controversy. The Oregon reward, $1,500 had been previously paid.
Undoubtedly Tracy was insane. His exploits throughout Lincoln county as well as in other parts of the state indicate a condition of violent dementia. His reckless dalliance at a ranch in a country alive with armed men looking for him, and permitting strange people to go and come was, certainly, taking such desperate chances as no man in his right mind would have taken under the circumstances. By this utter neglect of ordinary precaution his pursuers were frequently thrown off the scent. From the time of his escape from the Oregon penitentiary Tracy's actions were devoid of rationality. He failed to take advantage of the most favorable opportunities to get out of the country. He, at times, exhibited cunning, and appeared resourceful, with wit enough to escape out of the state on a freight train. Or he might have continued among the mountains, gradually working his way to some place of comparative safety. But to undertake to ride
through an open country, accompanied by a pack horse of strikingly peculiar markings, proclaiming his name at every house in a bombastic manner, was to court pursuit and certain capture or death.
Friday, December 19, 1902, an awful double murder was committed four miles southeast of Almira. Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Lewis, residing on their ranch, were brutally murdered by a party, or parties, who, at the present writing have never been apprehended. To this day the horrible deed is shrouded in mystery. Judge and Mrs. Lewis were an aged couple, well known in Lincoln county where they had resided for many years. They were well-to-do, so far as this world's goods are concerned, but robbery does not, conclusively, appear to have been the object of this terrible deed. Judge Lewis was found in the house, lying on the floor, face downward. The body of Mrs. Lewis was discovered out in the corral, a quarter of a mile distant, a shapeless heap covered with straw. A tenant of Judge Lewis discovered the dead bodies Sunday morning, December 21st. The day before, Saturday, the tenant had been to the place in search of some stock, but did not enter the house and did not notice the body of Mrs. Lewis which, as stated, had been covered with loose straw and refuse.
Tuesday morning the county commissioners met and offered a reward of $500 for the capture of the murderer, or murderers, of J. A. Lewis, and an additional reward of $500 for the slayers of Mrs. Lewis. At that time it was, singularly enough, assumed by the commissioners that the old couple had been killed by different parties. However. Commissioner Thompson, who visited the premises and saw the bodies, arrived at the conclusion that both victims had been slain with an old, dull axe which had been found lying by the side of Judge Lewis, but which previously had always been kept out at the corral wherein was discovered the ghastly remains of Mrs. Lewis. It was his opinion that she was the first victim. Evidently she had made strenuous resistence. Her hands and arms were horribly cut and mangled, showing the desperation of the poor old lady's fight for life. There was not so much evidence of a prolonged struggle on the part of Judge Lewis; the top and back part of his head had been beaten in; the wounds had been inflicted, apparently, after he fell. The object of this brutal crime may, possibly, have been robbery as it might, also, have been revenge. The safe was open and the money gone. Judge Lewis seldom kept less than $500 in the safe, and at times as much as two or three thousand dollars. He frequently loaned money, dealing mainly with those whose financial stress impelled them to pay a high rate of interest, and were unable to secure funds elsewhere. It is for this that the theory of revenge rises superior to that of robbery as an incentive. It was suggested at the time of the tragedy that had robbery only been
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planned different weapons would, likely, have been used. Over this ghastly crime intense feeling was engendered throughout the entire Big Bend country. It was peculiarly cruel and coldblooded. It is said, with every evidence of truth, that if the guilty party could have been located at the time, vengeance would have
quickly followed in the form of lynching. This however, was denied by those who possessed greater faith in the law-abiding citizens of the county.
"Judge" Lewis (he had been a justice of the peace), was a man about 76 years old, and his wife nearly the same age, had been pioneers of Lincoln county. They lived within themselves, expended little for clothing or anything else, and had succeeded in accumulating property to a considerable amount; they were known
to be in independent circumstances. Judge Lewis distrusted banks. He never deposited money in them, but kept his surplus funds in a safe in the house. At the time the crime was committed the safe was unlocked. This fact indicated that business of some nature was then being transacted. In addition to the county rewards Dr. L. Lewis, of Wilbur, offered rewards of $250 in each case for the capture of the perpetrators of the crime. At the present writing no apprehensions have been made and the affair remains a mystery.
But Lincoln county had not yet supped full of horrors. Closely following the Tracy tragedy and the murder of the Lewis family, came the Thennes killing at the little town of Govan, between Wilbur and Almira. Friday evening, April 3, 1903, a masked man entered a saloon in Govan, shot and almost instantly killed C. F. Thennes, the only witness to the tragedy being one Kleeb, the bartender. The latter failed to recognize the assassin. The murderer came through the door, revolver in hand, walked up to Thennes, and with the declaration, "Now I have got you," began firing. The two men grappled and no other word was spoken on either side. Six shots were fired, three of which took effect. Kleeb, the bartender, lost no time in getting out of the way, when the bullets began to fly, but saw the assailant disappear out of the same door through which he had entered, after he had emptied his revolver. Thennes was still on his feet, and with the assistance of Kleeb reached the doorsteps of the hotel before he fell prostrate and expired. He never spoke after being shot except to ask for a doctor.
Thennes formerly lived in Davenport and Reardan, and was not known to have any enemies. The motive for this crime was not robbery, whatever else it may have been. The most plausible supposition was that the assassin of Thennes was also connected with the murder of Judge and Mrs. Lewis, the latter affair having been shrouded in mystery, and that Thennes was in possession of incriminating evidence likely to lead to the arrest of the guilty party, or parties. It was reported that Thennes had said when intoxicated that he could lay his hands on the Lewis murderers.
For this crime one Cyrus Victor was arrested, tried and found guilty in the fall of 1903. Nothing in the evidence, however, connected him with the Lewis murders. In March, 1904, Victor was granted a new trial. At this writing this is still pending.
An event in the history of Lincoln county was the good roads convention held at Davenport, Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20, 1903. From every part of the county representatives were present, and the attendance was flattering. Much general information concerning this important exploitation was disseminated. The members of the convention assembled in the court room where they were called to order by H. J. Maskentine. H. J. Hinckley, of Edwall, was chosen temporary chairman and Lee Warren temporary secretary. N. T. Caton, Davenport, Commissioner Thompson, of Almira, Ex-Commissioner Crisp, of Harrington, Richard Riffe, of Mondovi and J. H. Nicholls, of Davenport, were appointed a committee on permanent organization. Saturday the following
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permanent organization was perfected: H. M. Thompson, president; J. H. Nicholls, vice-president; T. C. Lakin, secretary; John F. Green, treasurer; Henry Jenson, of Sprague, W. W. Finney, of Odessa, Michael Koontz, of Sprague, Peter Leipham, of Davenport, and Frank Hardin, of Larene, executive committee. Addresses were made by Prof. O. L. Waller, of the State Agricultural College, at Pullman, and Mr. Thompson, City Engineer of Spokane.
In October. 1903, articles of incorporation were filed by the Lincoln county Historical Association, which held a meeting- at Harrington. The organization of the association was completed with the following officers: President, N. T. Caton; vice-president, George M. Witt, Harrington; secretary, W. L. Crowell, Harrington; treasurer, G. E. Smith, Crab Creek; historian, T. C. Lakin, Harrington; trustees, John F. Green, S. C. Kinch, Aaron Miller, Jacob Smith, T. C. Lakin.
A second "good roads convention" was held at Davenport Wednesday and Thursday, February 10 and 11, 1904, and although the attendance was small considerable interest was manifested and much good was accomplished.
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