Neely-Dorsey: Happy National Teddy Bear Day

National Teddy Bear Day is observed annually on September 9.

DID YOU KNOW…

The Teddy Bear was created as a direct result of President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt’s refusal to shoot a captured bear in 1902, while on a hunting expedition in Sharkey County, MISSISSIPPI.

Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th President of the US, was an outdoorsman and was on a hunting expedition in Sharkey County in 1902. His guide clubbed a 235 lb. bear that had attacked the hunting dogs and tied it to a tree. He offered Roosevelt the opportunity to shoot it, but Roosevelt refused. This became newsworthy more than if he had shot several bears. This incident made national news.

Clifford Berryman publishes a cartoon of the incident in the Washington Post on November 16, 1902 and the cartoon became an instant classic. A New York merchant capitalized on this publicity by creating a stuffed bear called “Teddy’s Bear.” A state historical marker stands in front of the Onward Store on Hwy 61 in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, established in 1913, which is two miles from where the hunt took place,

There are so many interesting, positive things that most people don’t know about Mississippi and the South. I want to play a part in getting the word out! I hope that you will jump on that bandwagon with me to help Protect, Preserve and Promote the rich cultural history of our state and region.

Teddy is on the porch in his favorite chair enjoying Reflections about the good old days
Photo by Facebook friend Peggy Townsend McDaniel (Kosciusko, MS)
Shown in photo are her old Teddy Bear and chair from childhood and her grandmother’s glasses!

Until next time…

Always, Always Celebrating the South and Promoting a Positive Mississippi

Patricia Neely-Dorsey is the author of two books of poetry, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems and My Magnolia Memories and Musings-In Poems. Through her poems, the author hopes to protect, preserve and promote the rich cultural history and heritage of her state and region along with providing more positive images than all of the negative images usually portrayed. Patricia lives in Tupelo with her husband James, son Henry and Miniature Schnauzer, Happy. The author has been named a Goodwill Ambassador for the state by Governor Phil Bryant. Her slogan is “Always, Always Celebrating the South and Promoting a Positive Mississippi ” Her website is www.patricianeelydorsey.com and her email is magnoliagirl21@yahoo.com.