Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-04-15
A PeriIous Night In "a Deer Park.

4 hibulous son of st. Patrick IN Patter
son, N. j., Oh Wednesday evening man
aged in some way to climb over the high
wire fence enclosing the lawn in which Mr..
T. G. Beckwith of that place keeps five
large, fine deer. These animals are of a
dangerous disposition, SO much so. in fact.
that no one dare go where they are Kept
except the person who feeds and canes for
them. It is but short time since that it
was found necessary to saw off the horns
of the largest one-an old buck-sO saucy
had he grown. The Patterson Press tells
the story of the wonderful adventures as
follows:
"OQr hero, WHO was not in the best con-
dition imaginable, tumbled over the fence
in the midst # the five deer. Not relish
ing this invasion of their realms, they gave
a sniff and q snort, and with their stumpy
tails sticking aloft went for the unfOr
tunate interloper. A desperate struggle
ensu ed. The first dig sent the man to
grass. Then one of the animals give a
Jump in the air and came down upon the
fellow, giving him punch in the stomach
with his sharp hoofs that was in no way
agreeable. The assailed man gained his
feet and endeavored to guard himself from
the blows of the deers' hoofs and their
forefeet, which they struck out as handy
and effective as the fist of prize fighter.
The man was soon rolling on the ground
again, the whole five deer bucking, kick
ing, punching, mauling and bruising him,
hither and thither, until he thought his
last day was come. He hallooed Justify
for help, and the cries of murder"
"watch," etc, brought up man, who
as soon as he saw the state of the case
hurried off and found the policeman at the
depot. When officer JOurdan arrived at the
spot all was quiet. The deer were there,
looking as innocent as sheep, but the man
was nowhere to be seen. 1t was thought
he had been killed, and search was made
for the body, but no body could be found.
AS last resort they hallooed if anybody
was there. In answer to this there came
from the depths Of dark house, or rather
shed, where the deer resort in stormy
weather, faint and trembling answer, to-
gether with a cry for help. 1t seems the
man had succeeded in retreating to this
deer shed, and the animals, naturally sus-
picious of q trap in the dark, declined to
follow him further than the door. There
he was, in mortal agony of fear that the
animals would follow him.
"The policeman then went to Mr.. Beck
with s house and related the circumstances,
but none in the house would go down to
escort the man out, they all being afraid
of the deer themselves. Finally a stratagem
was resorted to. The deer were attracted
to far corner of the lawn, and at the
proper time the gate was opened, the sig
nal given, and the fellow made q bee-llne
from the deer-shed to the gate, as fast as
his injuries and condition would permit
him. He was found quite badly hurt, his
hands and face covered with cuts, from
which the blood flowed freely, and his
whole body badly bruised. He was taken
to the lock up and kept till morning, when
| he was brought before the Recorder, and
was so stiff and sore he could hardly move.
The Recorder thought he had had punish
ment enough, and so, after giving him q
sound lecture, let him CO."