1902-08-24-sr-p5-harry-tracys-horses
August 24, 1902 Spokesman-Review Page 5:
HARRY TRACY'S HORSES
FAMOUS PAIR OF ANIMALS ARRIVED 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 it the northwest are now in Spokane, One of them has the distinction of being the only horse known to have attempted to buck Hurry Tracy off. The other acted as pack horse to the renowned desperado from June 30 to August 5, when the end to the long chase arrived, These are the two horses seized at the Sanders ranch and used by the outlaw for over a mouth.
There is nothing in the appearance of the animals 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 16 hands high and would weigh in the neighborhood of 1000 pounds. The pack horse is a dark sorrel mare not quite so tall, and a trifle 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 Relic Hunters
More conspicuous marks are those received at the hands of relic hunters, who pulled out and cut off large chunks of mane and tall 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 Docking.
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 tn the best of style, doing so well as to draw a remark of admiration from Mr. Tracy, ex-cowboy.
Throughout the wanderings of the next month the horses appear to have 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 wheatfield, the sightseers left the stable open and the horses wandered 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.
