Holt Collier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Holt Collier
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Holt Collier at age 61, 1907
|
|
| Born | c. 1848 Mississippi, USA
|
| Died | August 1, 1936 Greenville, Mississippi
|
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Hunter |
Holt Collier (born around 1848, died August 1, 1936) was a famous African-American hunter and outdoorsman. He was especially known for hunting bears. In November 1902, Holt Collier led a bear hunt for U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt. This hunt accidentally led to the creation of the famous "Teddy Bear" toy!
Contents
Holt Collier's Early Life and Skills
Holt Collier was born around 1848 in Mississippi. His family had been forced to work for the Hinds family for three generations. They lived on a large farm called Plum Ridge Plantation. This farm was built by General Thomas Hinds. General Hinds was a soldier who fought in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. He also helped choose the spot for Mississippi's capital city, Jackson.
Collier showed his amazing hunting skills very early. He killed his first bear when he was only ten years old! After that, he was made to use his skills to get meat for the Hinds family. He also hunted for the many other African Americans forced to work on the farm.
Holt Collier During the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Holt Collier's owner, Howell Hinds, went to fight. Collier went with him to help out in the army camps.
Holt Collier's Hunting Fame
President Theodore Roosevelt said that Holt Collier killed over 3,000 bears in his lifetime. Collier was very famous among hunters who tracked large animals. Because of his skill, a man named Major George M. Helm asked Collier to guide President Theodore Roosevelt on a bear hunt in Mississippi in 1902.
The Famous Bear Hunt of 1902
This hunt was a big deal. Many famous hunters attended, including John Avery McIlhenny. He had served with Roosevelt in the Rough Riders during the Spanish–American War.
During the hunt, Collier and his tracking dogs found a large male bear. Collier managed to tie the bear to a tree. When President Roosevelt arrived, Collier told him not to shoot the tied-up bear. Roosevelt agreed and did not shoot it.
Newspapers like The Washington Post wrote about Roosevelt's kindness to the animal. A cartoon by Clifford Berryman, called "Drawing the line in Mississippi," showed the event. The cartoon wrongly showed the bear as a cub. This story and cartoon eventually led to the creation of the "Teddy Bear" toy.
President Roosevelt was very impressed with Holt Collier's abilities. Collier guided Roosevelt again on another bear hunt in Louisiana in 1907.
Holt Collier's Legacy
The Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi is named in his honor. This shows how important he was. Holt Collier passed away in 1936 and is buried in Greenville, Mississippi.
See also
- List of famous big game hunters
