12-The Very First 'Teddy' Bear

Vicksburg-This painting is almost accurate. Teddy Roosevelt came to Vicksburg in 1902 to shoot a bear and shore up his base. He hunted several days and found no bears. Finally his guide tracked a mangy old bear into the middle of a pond, called Teddy away from his lunch indicating it was the best he could do.
It was lucky day for the bear. Teddy was disgusted! He refused to shoot and went back to Washington empty handed. I don't know where the original of this painting is. It might be a composite from old pictures. I photographed it off the sea wall in Vicksburg.