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David E. Petzal's Five Greatest Gunfights of the Old West
David E. Petzal's Five Greatest Gunfights of the Old West
Number Five: The Harry Tracy Pursuit
(June 9-August 6, 1902, ending at Creston, WA.)
This was two-month running gun battle, matching Harry Tracy (actually name Stevens) against most of the law officers in Oregon and Washington.
June 9, 1902, Tracy escaped from Oregon State Penitentiary, killing three corrections officers and three civilians in the process. Subject to a massive manhunt, Tracy evaded the dragnet for a month and then set up an ambush near Bothell, WA, where he killed two more lawmen. Tracy ran, took hostages, and got into a third shootout in which he killed two more posse members. On August 6, he was cornered and shot in the leg near Creston, WA, and took his own life rather than be captured.
Unlike most desperados, Tracy’s preferred tool was a .30/30 lever-action. He may have had something else going for him. A late friend of mine, a Western historian, believed that Tracy was crazy as a s***house rat and, under stress, when a normal person would have made a fatal mistake, he simply enjoyed the situation and instinctively did the right thing.
At left: a clipping from a newspaper article about the pursuit, as well as a mugshot of unknown origin.
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Photo Gallery Comments (28)
I heard he did the limbo.
Shades of Robert Loggia, who re-created Elfego for Walt Disney in a 10-part episode back in 1958-60 when I were but a youngish, impressionable teen-ager. The Disney version must have consumed most of Winchester-Western's ammo production that year in the adobe shootout episode, but it sure were impressive.
Just wish I could remember the Elfego theme song. Disney did GREAT character theme songs. This was the same time as Francis (Swamp Fox) Marion: "Swamp Fox, Swamp Fox, tail on his hat; nobody knows where the Swamp Fox at..."
But the best Disney hero song (outside of maybe Davy Crockett) was for Texas John Slaughter, for "Texas John Slaughter made 'em do what they oughter, 'cause if they didn't, they died."
Can't beat that with a stick.
I love to watch the History channel. From time to time they feature "Great Shootouts of the Old West". One that comes to mind was the James Gang and the white dusters they wore like a uniform.
In the photo---was it Bat Materison and a couple of the Earps?
W0000000000000W---Dave, you really outdid yourself!!!! Some great stories.
4000 shots and he never got hit....Hard to believe.I guess this comes under the present day theory of, "Spray & Pray".
Elfego would have only been 19 when he had his shootout from what I figure. Cool. So much for that rule about bringing all your friends and all your rifles to a gunfight... Great job Dave, nice post Jim in Avon.
How about founding father Alexander Hamilton versus Aaron Burr?
my bad missed the old west part.
Great post Dave, but I must argue one thing. In the Dodge Peace Commission picture, I have a book that says Short is back row in the middle, and that Bat Masterson is on the right. Won't say which is right for sure, just thought I'd throw that out there.
MattCline,
Your book is correct.
In your spare time check out Earl Durand "The Tarzan of the Tetons" on the net. He was a young man who poached game and killed men in Park County, WY in the late thirties. The story of his attempt to rob the First National Bank in Powell, WY was the first live radio broadcast of a crime as it took place. His own demise arrived after the loss of several lives. Immediately Hollywood made a movie which premiered in Powell. Of course it was as full of crap as a Christmas goose protraying events which were far from the truth.
For those interested in gunmen of the old west, and the firearms they used, I highly recommend "Famous Firearms Of The Old West," by Hal Herring, who is a writer for Field & Stream. As a firearms instructor, and life-long student of weapons use, I've found this to be one of the better books out there.
Also, a point to keep in mind. There is a huge difference between a shooting and a gunfight. For example when Hamer took down Bonnie and Clyde, it was a shooting, the threats never got off a shot in response to the ambush. A lot of the old gunmen learned quickly that their chances of winning improved greatly when they shot first, without giving their opponents a chance to fire back. It may not be very sporting, but then like Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch says, "Always cheat, always win."
Tiger McKee
Shootrite Firearms Academy
Great post Dave.
Dave Tutt may have lived another day had he not taunted Bill about having his watch.
Don't you just love how hundreds of rounds are exchanged in Old West gunfights and only a few drop dead? Sounds like someone needs to work on accuracy.
The wild west for sure. It was definitely different a few years back huh.
You can look at old man Earp's eyes and see even then that he is not to be messed with. My guess is that he might be packing something under that boiled shirt of his.
The group photo looks like the infamous Butch & Sundance with the Hole in the wall gang, must of been a class reunion
Great photo of Earp! What a good looking old man. Makes you realize how such a really short a time ago all these events took place, and how our country has changed so radically since just "yesterday". Tom
Well......he apparently forgot about the greatest and largest gun fight there ever was. It was the Johnson County War that took place in Wyoming in about 1892. There were about 80 killers and gun slingers hired by the cattle barons that were trapped at the TA Ranch by about 100 people from the town of Buffalo, WY that they were sent to kill.
Front Row, left to right: Chas. basset, Wyatt Earp, Frank McLain, Neal Brown.
Back Row, left to right: W.H. Harris, Luke Short, Bat Masterson.
HICKOK you got it right in the headlines why not in the article?
OK corrall was the best
Nice job WA Mtnhunter I could only get two of them right off.
hi,field and streams.i have this gun that is old and i like to know how much it is worth.it a 1858 reproduction remington percussion pistol.the barrel is made of chestnut wood with a brass finish.it has a flask too,that hold the gun powder,and two bullets that dates back in the civil war.email me back please and let me know. thank ruth
Great job WA Mtnhunter!!! I got three of them right which is Wyatt Earp, Frank McLain and Neal Brown.
Some great stories!
Post a Comment
Shades of Robert Loggia, who re-created Elfego for Walt Disney in a 10-part episode back in 1958-60 when I were but a youngish, impressionable teen-ager. The Disney version must have consumed most of Winchester-Western's ammo production that year in the adobe shootout episode, but it sure were impressive.
Just wish I could remember the Elfego theme song. Disney did GREAT character theme songs. This was the same time as Francis (Swamp Fox) Marion: "Swamp Fox, Swamp Fox, tail on his hat; nobody knows where the Swamp Fox at..."
But the best Disney hero song (outside of maybe Davy Crockett) was for Texas John Slaughter, for "Texas John Slaughter made 'em do what they oughter, 'cause if they didn't, they died."
Can't beat that with a stick.
I love to watch the History channel. From time to time they feature "Great Shootouts of the Old West". One that comes to mind was the James Gang and the white dusters they wore like a uniform.
For those interested in gunmen of the old west, and the firearms they used, I highly recommend "Famous Firearms Of The Old West," by Hal Herring, who is a writer for Field & Stream. As a firearms instructor, and life-long student of weapons use, I've found this to be one of the better books out there.
Also, a point to keep in mind. There is a huge difference between a shooting and a gunfight. For example when Hamer took down Bonnie and Clyde, it was a shooting, the threats never got off a shot in response to the ambush. A lot of the old gunmen learned quickly that their chances of winning improved greatly when they shot first, without giving their opponents a chance to fire back. It may not be very sporting, but then like Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch says, "Always cheat, always win."
Tiger McKee
Shootrite Firearms Academy
In your spare time check out Earl Durand "The Tarzan of the Tetons" on the net. He was a young man who poached game and killed men in Park County, WY in the late thirties. The story of his attempt to rob the First National Bank in Powell, WY was the first live radio broadcast of a crime as it took place. His own demise arrived after the loss of several lives. Immediately Hollywood made a movie which premiered in Powell. Of course it was as full of crap as a Christmas goose protraying events which were far from the truth.
The wild west for sure. It was definitely different a few years back huh.
You can look at old man Earp's eyes and see even then that he is not to be messed with. My guess is that he might be packing something under that boiled shirt of his.
hi,field and streams.i have this gun that is old and i like to know how much it is worth.it a 1858 reproduction remington percussion pistol.the barrel is made of chestnut wood with a brass finish.it has a flask too,that hold the gun powder,and two bullets that dates back in the civil war.email me back please and let me know. thank ruth
I heard he did the limbo.
In the photo---was it Bat Materison and a couple of the Earps?
W0000000000000W---Dave, you really outdid yourself!!!! Some great stories.
4000 shots and he never got hit....Hard to believe.I guess this comes under the present day theory of, "Spray & Pray".
Elfego would have only been 19 when he had his shootout from what I figure. Cool. So much for that rule about bringing all your friends and all your rifles to a gunfight... Great job Dave, nice post Jim in Avon.
How about founding father Alexander Hamilton versus Aaron Burr?
my bad missed the old west part.
Great post Dave, but I must argue one thing. In the Dodge Peace Commission picture, I have a book that says Short is back row in the middle, and that Bat Masterson is on the right. Won't say which is right for sure, just thought I'd throw that out there.
MattCline,
Your book is correct.
Great post Dave.
Dave Tutt may have lived another day had he not taunted Bill about having his watch.
Don't you just love how hundreds of rounds are exchanged in Old West gunfights and only a few drop dead? Sounds like someone needs to work on accuracy.
The group photo looks like the infamous Butch & Sundance with the Hole in the wall gang, must of been a class reunion
Great photo of Earp! What a good looking old man. Makes you realize how such a really short a time ago all these events took place, and how our country has changed so radically since just "yesterday". Tom
Well......he apparently forgot about the greatest and largest gun fight there ever was. It was the Johnson County War that took place in Wyoming in about 1892. There were about 80 killers and gun slingers hired by the cattle barons that were trapped at the TA Ranch by about 100 people from the town of Buffalo, WY that they were sent to kill.
Front Row, left to right: Chas. basset, Wyatt Earp, Frank McLain, Neal Brown.
Back Row, left to right: W.H. Harris, Luke Short, Bat Masterson.
HICKOK you got it right in the headlines why not in the article?
OK corrall was the best
Nice job WA Mtnhunter I could only get two of them right off.
Great job WA Mtnhunter!!! I got three of them right which is Wyatt Earp, Frank McLain and Neal Brown.
Some great stories!
Post a Comment