The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., May 23, 1974, page 1
GLENWOOD CHILD KILLED BY BEAR
A 4-year old Glenwood girl, Victoria Lea Valdez, was
attacked and killed by a bear while playing on her parents' ranch Thursday
afternoon. A bear shot and killed by the girl's father shortly thereafter
was later given identification as the animal responsible.
The little girl and her younger brother had been playing
in a field less than a mile from the farm buildings, near a bridge over an
irrigation ditch. When the boy was seen playing alone nearer the buildings,
the father asked him the whereabouts of the girl. The lad couldn't remember
and was sent to look for her. When he returned soon without locating her
the father became alarmed. The time was about 2 p.m.
Leaving his work the father, Bill A. Valdez, searched
the bridge area without success but a little farther away found torn and
blood-stained bits of clothing. He immediately returned to the house for
a rifle. Resuming his search he spotted a bear in the filed. He killed the
bear, a young male, and soon thereafter came across the mutilated body of
his daughter.
The sheriff's office was immediately notified and three
officers soon arrived at the scene. An ambulance was called from Goldendale,
while a sheriff's car set out to meet it, carrying the parents and the daughter's
body.
Mr. and Mrs. Valdez moved to the ranch, the former Albin
Berglund place, last fall. They had previously lived in the Yakima valley
west of Toppenish.
So far is known, this is the first death in the county
caused by a wild animal since pioneer times, or Indian days. Authorities
said the bear was a young one just beginning its second year, often the most
dangerous age for such animals. Victoria
is survived by her parents, two brothers, Douglas Olney and Marcus Valdez;
three sisters, Emma Jane, Maryann and Rosemarie Olney; grandparents Mr. and
Mrs. Paul Lopez, Wapato and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Robbins, White Swan.
Funeral was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Goldendale,
Monday at 10 a.m., Fr. John Marasciulo officiating. Interment was at Mt.
Adams Cemetery, Glenwood.
SMALL GIRL KILLED BY BLACK BEAR
Little 4 year old Victoria Valdez, Glenwood, was killed
last Thursday by a black bear as she played near a stream near the family
home at Glenwood.
Born on August 29, 1969, Vicky was the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Bill A. Valdez of Glenwood. The Valdez family had just moved to
Glenwood fro Toppenish about a month ago. The little girl and her brother
were playing near the stream when the bear attacked. The bear was later
shot.
The Knosher Funeral Home of Goldendale had charge of
arrangements.
[HOME]
© Jeffrey L. Elmer