Court House Deer

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April 24, 1895
An Old Coquette
Makes Advances to the Court House Deer but in Frightened Away
An old, broken-down and forlorn looking brindle cow, aimlessly wandering about the city yesterday, strayed into the court house yard at noon and tried to pick a midday lunch from the sparse tufts of grass which are beginning to sprout in the less trodden parts of the much abused and neglected plot.

The animal was a fit subject for the care of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and her ribs could be counted a block away. There was a downward twist in her horn like an old ram and another twist in her tail which made it stand out almost straight from her body.

A number of people from the court house and others waiting for the trolley cars were forced to laugh at the animal's spavined appearance, grazing in such an unusual place and all wonder where the High Constable or William O'Reilly were.

The cow, while seeming to be aware that she was in pastures new, was not very impressed by the appearance of our court house, and wandered aimlessly among the trees until she came in sight of the famous court house deer. At first she thought she recognized a long lost friend and ambled toward the deer, but suddenly stopped in terror, as something in the deer's appearance was not quite to her liking. The crowd watching her was considerably amused as she gave a snort of defiance, stretched out her head and erected her ears, while her tail took on a more horizontal position. A piece of paper blown by the wind added to her alarm, and she jumped back. After a moment of close scrutiny she cautiously approached and critically examined the deer, walking slowly around it, but keeping at a respectable distance. The "old lady" seemed unable to make out the deer's identity or to determine if it were an undersized member of her own species, or a large dog with horns. The deer totally ignored her inquisitive presence and the cow finally withdrew from his domain, keeping, however , her weather eye on Mr. Deer until she got clear of the yard when she meandered up North Main street looking for a better pasture and a less curious animal than the deer seemed to be.

It is expected that the deer will tell of the advances and fright of the "old "coquette" when she is next interviewed by the reporter of one of our local Sunday papers. (Wilkes-Barre Times - Newspaper Article)


August 19, 1897
The Mayor's Court to-Day
A Prisoner Said the Court House Deer is the Devil
Among the prisoners before Mayor Nichols this morning was a Polander named John Koslosky of Luzerne. John had been acting queerly on the Square last night and was locked up. This morning he made strange remarks about various things and insisted that the deer in the court house yard is the devil. He was confined until his mental condition could be determined. (Wilkes-Barre Times - Newspaper Article)


March 29, 1901
Wanted Iron Venison
Dog Tries to Take a Bite Form the Court House Deer
Today at noon a farmer from somewhere over the mountain came around the Square. He had a lot of potatoes in his wagon and under the vehicle trotted a big yellow dog of the composite variety - a little dash of bull dog, a shade or two of collie, just a trifle of English mastiff and Great Dane, some skye terrier and poodle all mixed together in dog hide.

The dog was rattled at sights of the city and kept close to the heels of the horses until he saw the deer in the Court House yard. Then he made a dash for the beast and with every hair on his body quivering with rage he rushed up to the iron venison and attempted to bite it. Then he backed off a couple of feet and growled at a great rate.

In the meantime his rural owner whistled and called but the dog never paid the least attention. Finally he climbed down from his seat and picked up a potato and as he soaked the canine in his ribs he remarked "Gosh darn yer Tige, next time I'll leave you at home. Here you're trying to lick an iron deer and I suppose pretty soon you'll want ter tear off a leg off one of these here oughtermowbulls. (Wilkes-Barre Times - Newspaper Article)


July 20, 1904
Court House Deer
The Court House deer used to be the particular trysting spot of politicians and lovers. They are now holding forth near the stone marking the longitude, the latitude is an open question with the politicians. (Wilkes-Barre Times - Newspaper Article)

June 2, 1909
Old Court House Deer Moved
The old Court House deer which has been a sort of statue in the court house yard on Public Square for the past 35 years, was removed to the new court house lawn yesterday. (Wilkes-Barre Times - Newspaper Article)


March 26, 1917
News Briefs
A balmy spring day brought thousands to the river common yesterday and the old deer in courthouse park held more than horns in hundreds of snapshots taken by amateur photographers,


February 3, 1921
Court House Deer to Take Stand on a New Location
(Wilkes-Barre Times - Newspaper Article)
The much talked of and historic court house deer which occupied a site in the yard of the old court house on Public Square for nearly half a century, and which was removed to the lawn fronting the court house ten years ago is to be taken from its present placement and put on a conglomerate boulder on the court house lawn.

Superintendent of Building and Grounds William H. Morris told the reporters today that he has located a large boulder which measures over three feet wide, three feet thick and five feet long, along the Bear Creek boulevard and it will be taken to this city on a sled this afternoon. This boulder will be used as a base for the deer.

The deer at present is now in a badly dismantled condition. The statue that has stood for three generations during which time some of the most prominent men of the city and county clambered on its back leans on one side, and the horns knocked off, while it is otherwise dilapidated and neglected.

Superintendent Morris however is going to have the deer rebuilt and he has new horns ready to be placed on it. After it is again placed on the lawn better care will be taken to protect it from damage. (Wilkes-Barre Times - Newspaper Article)

November 16, 1921
Origin of Court House Deer
(Oscar J. Harvey)
At one time (early 1870's) the old court house on the Square did not even have a walk. Later, an iron fence, with four gates, was built on the square. The greater part of the fence is now about the German Catholic Cemetery. The cast iron deer, was donated by the firm from which the fence was bought. (Wilkes-Barre Times - Newspaper Article)