- Golden Bear
: "For other uses related to the "Golden Bear", see the
Golden bears disambiguation page"Taxobox
color = pink
status = extinct/legendary
name = Golden Bear
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo =Carnivora
familia =Ursidae
genus = "Ursus "
species =According to legend, the Golden Bear was a large golden
Ursus arctos . Members of the Ursus arctos (Brown Bear) species can reach masses of 130–700 kg (300–1500 pounds). TheGrizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis ) and theKodiak Bear are North American subspecies of the Brown Bear.A great "Golden Bear" was reported in the area of
Turner, Kansas . According to John Gardiner in 1831, it was feared and admired by the local native population. The bear lived south of the river in the hills west of theMethodist Mission. According to legend, it was the largest bear that any of the natives had ever seen. It would raid the settlements of the area folks and feasted on the animals owned by the local population (theShawnee tribe). Many of the Indians wanted to kill the bear for the pride of such a feat and the capture of its hide (the fur was most sought after). The "Golden Bear" was seen several times by the ferry crew on the OldGrinter Ferry during the 1830s and 1840s. Both theShawnee and theWyandot gathered a hunting party, but were unsuccessful in tracking the bear down.The "Golden Bear" became the
mascot for Turner High School and was adopted by the community in 1886. Two members of the community, Warren Hewitt and Jule Gaignet, submitted the icon and it won the majority of support in a contest. Reportedly, the two youths had heard of the bear from stories told by their grandparents. This icon is based on legends of that golden bear.Western New England College adopted the Golden Bear as its mascot in the early 1950s.References
* Gibson, Betty S. "Pride of the Golden Bear". Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., c1981. 645pp. Illus.
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