The Story of Teddy Bears
Did you know the Teddy Bear was named after President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt?
It all happened in Sharkey County!
While hunting in the Mississippi Delta in 1902, President Roosevelt could not bring himself to kill a bear that had been tied up for him to shoot. He felt doing so would be unsportsmanlike. Word of this hit newspapers across the country, and a political cartoonist drew this cartoon showing how President Roosevelt refused to shoot the captured bear.
Former slave, Confederate soldier and Texas cowboy, Holt Collier was the President's guide on the bear hunt.
As the hunt began, Holt Collier told President Roosevelt where to wait for the bear to come out of the cane brake. After waiting a long time, the President left that spot. When the angry bear finally came out of the woods, Holt jumped from his horse and clubbed the bear, stunning the 250-pound bruin. He threw a rope around the dazed creature and sent for the President to shoot the bear.
Did You Know? The Teddy Bear is Mississippi's State Toy.
The Teddy Bear was born because of Roosevelt's hunting trip in Mississippi.
Before long, a New York retailer began calling the toy bears in his shop "Teddy's bears." Today, children around the world still use the name "teddy bear" to describe their most beloved stuffed animals.
Photo Captions
Top right: Holt Collier killed over 3000 bears in his lifetime
Below: This photo was token during a local reenactment of the bear hunt.
Left:
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series list.
Location. 32° 54.515′ N, 90° 52.595′ W. Marker is in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, in Sharkey County. Marker is at the intersection of Walnut Street and Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling west on Walnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rolling Fork MS 39159, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Muddy Waters (within shouting distance of this marker); What is a Shotgun Shack? (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sharkey County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Rolling Fork Mounds (approx. 0.9 miles away); Carter Mounds (approx. 1.1 miles away); Grace Mounds (approx. 7.8 miles away); Cary Mounds (approx. 7.9 miles away); a different marker also named Cary Mounds (approx. 7.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rolling Fork.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 339 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. 4. submitted on October 9, 2020.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Verify marker is still installed after March 2023 tornado. • Can you help?
