LOON LAKE #3
This is the oldest house in Valley, WA. It was built in 1885 as far as owner Alfred Renner can tell. In his research, a girl who was born in the house was 4 years old when the railroad came through in 1889.
Linda & Penny's Grandfather Frank Eddington working the harvest on his homestead north of Deer Park.
This photo is compliments of the Loon Lake Historical Society and the LOON LAKE TIMES.
An enthusiastic crowd gathers for the opening the Arcadia tunnel. The canal would take water to the apple orchards south of Deer Park.
THANKS TO PETER COFFIN, for this mug shot of the notorious desperado Harry Tracy, outlaw, 1874 - 1902. The reason Harry Tracy is in the Loon Lake webpage, is a picture of his Loon Lake home. The combination of The Heritage Network and the Loon Lake Historical Society involving Susan Dechant, Deanna Pelan, Lorinda Travis and Karen Meyer came through like champions, in finding this picture of Harry Tracy’s cabin.
An Oregon posse is after Harry in the closing days of his final run. This article is compliments of writer Ricky Moore and donated by Pat Goodwin. A very comprehensive story.
The Eddie Ranch is where Tracy made his final stand. Wounded he took his own life. It is said Harry Tracy was responsible for the deaths of up to 48 men. Creston, Washington is about 20 miles west of Davenport. One can only wonder if Harry Tracy didn't have his old Loon Lake home on his mind. By the way the Crow flies he was within 60 miles from his Loon Lake cabin when he met his Waterloo.
|
Directly north of Loon Lake is the historic town of Valley, WA. Here is the "first" Valley School with the beautiful new (third) Valley School in the background.
Loon Lake School, Grades 1-8, 1945-46 school year. Front row- Jack Van Slyke, Donna Trampus, Milton Krause, Darla Case, Don Whitney, Ed Trampus, Mary Lou Just, Chester Sebright, Dorothy Dunham, Howard Dunham, Wayne, Dunham. Second row-Delbert Smith, Cliff Meyer, Duane Bullock, Donna Smith, Blanche Porter, Margery Just, Marilyn Meyer, Earl Engle, Charles Van Slyke, Daryl Troutman, Garth Anderson, Tom Gardner. Third row- Mrs. Nellie Gardner, Joan Just, Marian Dunham, Janice Schumacher, Beverly Waseca, Bonnie Lanstrom, Verlyn Dee Bullock, Claudia Qualls, Eldon Booher, Shirley Hemler, Mrs. Emma Morgan, Principal, ?. Back Row- Don Dunham, Freddie Whitney, Jerry Waseca.
Loon Lake School, Grades 1-4, 1945-46 school year. Front row- Jack Van Slyke, Donna Trampus, Milton Krause, Darla Case, Don Whitney, Ed Trampus, Mary Lou Just, Chester Sebright, Earl Engle, Dorothy Dunham, Howard Dunham, Wayne Dunham. Second row-Delbert Smith, Duane Bullock, Donna Smith, Margery Just, Marilyn Meyer, Blanche Porter, Veryl Dee Bullock, Daryl Troutman. Back row- Mrs. Nellie Gardner
This is a photo as noted on the photograph, 'Home of Harry Tracy Outlaw,' Loon Lake, Wash.' It was thought that Harry Tracy occupied this log cabin on Loon Lake, WA, during his criminal career. Not so claims Lorinda Travis of the Loon Lake Historical Society. Harry Tracy lived in this remote Cabin on the shores of the lake while on the dodge from the law for his scrape in Fargo, ND. But it was prior to his reign of crime and terror. If you are at all intrigued by this honest to goodness “Wild West” story, it is recommended you select the name on Google Search. You will see a wealth of selections. The one we recommend is, “TRACY OUTLAW HARRY - WASHBURN COUNTY.” This article, written by Ricky Moore, confirms Lorinda Travis's factual story. This photo is courtesy of the Loon Lake Historical Society for which CDPHS is sincerely grateful.
At the age of 20 years, Harry (Severens) Tracy struck out on his own. Having developed a highly accurate marksmanship he stopped in Fargo, North Dakota. He and some chums robbed a friend and went out on the town for some fun and girly games. The fellow they robbed called the Sheriff but Harry escaped and headed west. Somehow he ended up at Loon Lake, WA, where he landed this Lake cabin and a Logging job which lasted a year. He then pulled up stakes and headed for Utah. Thus began his life of ruthless crime and endless killing. This photo is also compliments of the Loon Lake Historical Society.
Harry Tracy is reputed to have run with the Wild Bunch, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid & possibly did but so far this rumor is unsubstantiated. Over a period of 30 some years 40 or so gangs called the Hole in the Wall home. Each gang was pretty much independent. Harry Tracy's name is not mentioned in the annuls of gang names. Jessie James and the Wild Bunch grabbed the spotlight however. The glamour of an Outlaw is a strange phenomenon. Peter Coffin tells of the days they did not play Cops & Robbers. It was always 'Cops and Harry Tracy.'
|