Harry Tracy's Guns and Horses
DRAFT--This page is a draft. It is incomplete, not proof read and may contain research notes
What is going on here?
Alcohol, men and guns...it can't be good.
The year looks like it was the early 1900s. It could be a posse forming to go after the last desperato, Harry Tracy. This is not likely as the posse was formed in Davenport and the darker house only has a rope halter and not a bridle required for riding of any distance.
Gabe Gants, the Lincoln County Sheriff [2023], has seen one photo elsewhere with the caption "Harry Tracy's guns and horses in Reardan, Wash." The caption almost forgets that Tracy probably didn't "own" either, although he may have "possessed" them at the time of his demise.
Spokesman-Review August 24, 1902 Page 5 column 6
HARRY TRACY'S HORSES
FAMOUS PAIR OF ANIMALS ARRIVE IN SPOKANE
White Mare Bears Marks of the Outlaw's Saddle-- Both Show Signs of Rough Usage by Relic Hunters, Who Bore Away Chunks of Mane and Tail.
The two most famous horses in the northwest are now in Spokane. One of them has the distinction of being the only horse known to have attempted to buck Harry Tracy off. The other acted as pack horse to the renowned desperado from June 30 to August 5, when the end to the long chaste arrived. These are the two horses seized at the Sanders ranch and used by the outlaw for over a month.
There is nothing in the appearance of the animate to attract particular attention. The one used as a saddle horse is a grayish white mare, with a heart shaped brand on the left shoulder. She is about 15 hand's high and would weigh in the neighborhood of 1000 pounds. The pack horse is a dark sorrel mare not quite so tall, and a little heavier than her companion. She is branded "C. K." on the left shoulder. The gray horse shows marks made by the saddle of Tracy, who is supposed never to have removed it from the time he left the ranch.
Marks of the Relic Hunters.
More conspicuous marks are those received at the hands of relic hunters, who pulled out end cut off large chunks of mane and tail from both animals. E. W. Lockwood and Harry Williams, who have the horses in charge, report that on the trip to Spokane people, on learning the identity of the horses, crowded around and bore away these relics in spite of protests by the owners.
The seizure of the horses by Tracy occurred on the forenoon of June 30 at the ranch of W. A. Sanders, near Wenatchee. After turning out his own tired animals the outlaw ordered a rancher named McEldowney to bring some horses belonging to the ranch and come with him. Out of deference to the tears of Mrs. McEldowney, he countermanded this order, and told McEldowney to bring the two horses which were In Mr. Lockwood's pasture, near the house.
High Class Bucking.
After Tracy had saddled and mounted the white mare she showed no sign of uneasiness, but when he pushed his famous rifle inside his leg and beneath the saddle, the mare began to buck in the best of style, doing so well as to draw a remark of admiration front Mr. Tracy, ex-cowboy.
Throughout the wanderings of the next month the horses appear to bare been well treated and during the stay at the Eddy ranch, where the outlaw finally met his doom, they were fed both hay and grain each day.
On the morning of the fatal 6th of August, when crowds viewed the body lying dead in the wheat field, the sightseers left the stable open and the horses wondered away, being taken up seven miles west of the Eddy ranch by a farmer named Watson. Here they remained until last Wednesday when they were turned over to their former and rightful owner, Mr. Lockwood.
Saddle and Rope.
The riding saddle, and the pack rope Which dragged for a day, leaving a trail which was followed for some time in the pursuit, are also with the horses. The bridle, spurs and all the loose straps about the saddle were carried away by relic hunters.
A contract has been closed with Manager Onken of the Coeur d'Alene for exhibiting the horses, and they will be one of the attractions at that theater during this week, commencing Monday night. After the engagement here the horses will be taken to a large number of cities and towns throughout the northwest for exhibition purposes. The men have a certificate signed by city and county officials at Wenatchee, establishing the identity Of the horses and the ownership of Mr. Lockwood.