James E. Simpson, 37, clergyman, rescued Levi P. Yates, 38, park caretaker, from an attack by an enraged deer, Pasco, Washington, November 23, 1959. While in the deer pen at a park zoo, Yates was attacked by a buck and severely wounded by its sharp antlers. The animal, which weighed approximately 240 pounds, threw Yates to the ground, mauled him, and then pinned him between its antlers. Simpson was attracted and, entering the pen, struck the buck on the head with a block of salt. The blow failed to stun the animal, which then charged Simpson, ripping his jacket with its antlers and driving him against a wire fence. Simpson fell to the ground, and the buck began mauling him, cutting his trousers to shreds with its antlers. Joseph J. Kauer was attracted and also entered the pen, where the animal then had pinned Simpson to the ground. Kauer took hold of one of the buck’s antlers and pulled, but the animal stood firm. Yates then grasped the other antler, and together the two men raised the buck’s head enough to free Simpson, who also took bold of the antlers. The three men, unable to throw the animal to the ground, with much effort managed to move it to within 10 feet of a gate in the fence. They then released their holds and ran. The buck pursued them and again charged Simpson, encircling him at the waist with its antlers and driving him against a tree after which it backed away and began grazing, Police and others later caught and subdued the animal. Yates required 14 stitches to close his wounds, which healed. Simpson recovered from his injuries in six weeks.
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