Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-01-18
H. B. PHILLE0, Editor.
Desperate Fight with Wounded Deer

DR.. j. Nj. BAILEY, who has been absent
from town for some weeks working out
his assessment on a number OF mines
situated in the Ruby range of mountains,
returned home last evening From him
we learn the particulars of thrilling ad-
venture, in which one life was lost, and
the doctor himself narrowly escaped a
frightful death. One evening as the doc
tor was returning from his mines to camp
he noticed number OF deer tracks In the
snow, and wnen near camp saw large
deer slowly approaching him. Being
armed with only a small five-shooter re-
volver, he concealed himself behind a
slight rise in the ground, and when the
deer had come within few feet of-him
suddenly sprang to his feet, and, taking
aim, shot the surprised animal in the
shoulder. The deer Immediately turned
and ran as best it could, leaving trail of
blood on the snow, by which it could be
followed. Darkness coming on the doc
tor was forced to give up the hunt, and
returning to camp engaged the seTvtUvo-vf
two Indians to assist him in securing the
wounded animal. Early the following
morning the trio started out, the Indians
armed with rifles and the doctor with his
five-shooter The trail was easily found,
and but a short distance from where the
doctor had left it the preceding night the
wounded deer was found, evidently hav-
ing been nursing his wound during the
night. Perceiving his pursuers, the ami
NAL started off on slow run, and after
making detour of the valley for about
fifteen miles, started for the hills, which
were thickly covered with a low growth
of cedar Hereit was thought the hunters
would have no difficulty in :" bagging" 4"
t1,o,r Inil rlon
short distance ahead of the Indians, was
momentarily expecting to come up with
the deer, which had then disappeared
from view Suddenly a cracking of the
bushes was heard, when the stag, which
had become enraged at the close pursuit,
appeared in sight-nOt now as one whose
life was being hunted down, but on the
offensive, and, charging upon the party,
caught the doctor on its broad antlerS, and
before he could realize the situation he
was tossed in the air by the maddened
beast and sent rolling over the ground,
though, fortunately, not sustaining much
injury One of he Indians, seeing the
turn affairs had tar 4, fled; but the other,
paralyZed with fear. 'eemed rooted TO the
spot, and to him the 4 ;er next paid its at
tention. Rushing upon the terrified man
and catching him on the terrible
weapons nature had supplied it with,
the luckless Indian was sent whirling
through the air a distance of about
thirty feet, and fell flat on his face on the
frozen ground. AS soon as the doctor
could gather himself up, he sought safety
in flight, but the animal, perceiving the
intention, started in pursuit, and he bare
ly had time to climb low cedar tree be-
fore he was again brought face to face
with the beast. Having lost his pistol
when the deer made its attack, he was left
without any means of defense save a
common jack-knife, and bringing this in
to requisition he endeavored to stab the
animal in the eyes and thus escape; but
the deer was equal 10 the emergency, and
successfully parried off the blows with
his antlers. Seeing nothing could be ac-
complished in this way, the doctor cut a
branch from the tree, and tying the open
knife to it by means of his handkerchief,
again commenced the attack, this time
more successfully, for a well-directed
blow severed jugular vein in the ami
malls neck, and the fight was over, butnot
without one more desperate attempt on
the part of the brave animal, which inn
mediately on receiving its death wound
drew itself up, its eyes flaming like balls
of fire, and seemed preparing itself for
Ouc DlOIc CHdlSO, NICH IL I'LL W bhC cal III
dead. The doctor descended from the
tree, and noticing that the Indian who
had been attacked was lying on the
ground fastened to him and found him
in a dying condition. One of the ant
lers had penetrated the abdomen, the
other the region of the spinal column, the
antler breaking off and leaving portion
of it, about three inches, in the Indians
body The other Indian had come up by
this time; fire was built and prepara-
tions made to remove the wounded man
to his camp; but he died in few mo-
ments afterward and was buried on the
spot. The fight with the animal lasted
some time; and it was late the next day
when the doctor returned to camp. The
Indians returned and secured the carcass
of the deer and had a jollifcation over
the event, seemingly unmindful that one
of their number had lost his life in the
terrible encounter which the wounded
stag had given its pursuers. The antlers
of the deer, the knife used by the doctor,
and the broken piece taken from the In
dian's body were brought into town by
Dr. Bailey, and are now on exhibition at
the Palace saioon.-EurekG (CGt.) iSentG.
nel