Holt Collier lived his life with a set of standards that he held himself to more than anyone else. These standards were instilled in him by his old master, his beloved “Old Colonel”. Holt was taught the same lessons that Colonel Hinds’ own children were taught. He learned that to quietly and humbly face your problems, if nothing else, garnered respect! And the people of Greenville, of all races, respected Holt Collier.

In October, 1902, Major Helm, an acquaintance of Holt approached him about a possible bear hunt for a very important person. Holt agreed that he could get things ready for such a hunt. He was sworn to secrecy; the important person was none other than President Theodore Roosevelt!

On November 13, 1902, a locomotive, pulling one train car, steamed onto a spur track near Smedes, Mississippi. Aboard was President Roosevelt, his security men and members of the press. The members of the hunting party, including the president and Holt, talked most of the evening.

The president insisted that he must see a bear on his first day of the hunt. Holt spoke up, saying that he would see one if he had to tie one to a tree for him! That’s exactly what happened!

On the first day of the hunt, Holt searched for a bear and finally found one, old mean bear. Holt’s dogs pursued the bear into a creek, where the dogs caught up with the old bear. Several dogs were killed in the process. Holt then rode his horse into the creek and roped the bear! He then backed out of the creek and tied the bear to a tree.

When the president arrived at the scene with his security men and members of the press, he put his rifle to his shoulder and aimed. At this point, Holt was seen and heard, bowing his head, mumbling, “Please, Sir, don’t shoot him while he’s tied!”

The president probably didn’t hear Holt’s words, but the president lowered his rifle and said, “I can’t shoot this bear!” Other members of the party encouraged him to shoot, but he steadfastly refused!

The press members started crafting the story and the illustrators started drawing the scene. In time, the bear would be characterized as Teddy’s Bear, then the Teddy Bear.

Over the years there have been many who claimed to have produced the first stuffed toy called the Teddy Bear.

Again in 1907, Holt served as President Roosevelt's guide on another hunt. The president described Holt as the best guide he'd ever met and in addition to his pay, Holt received a new rifle as a gift from the president.

By the summer of 1936, Holt Collier had become quite frail and was losing his eyesight. He spent much of his time sitting on the front porch of his small home on Broadway Street in Greenville, entertaining guests who dropped by. On August 1, 1936, Holt Collier, the old Confederate cavalryman, the noted bear hunter, the friend of a president and a respected citizen of Greenville, Mississippi closed his eyes for the last time. Holt Collier was dead!

Today, located about thirty miles southeast of Greenville, near Darlove, Mississippi is the Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge. It was the first wildlife refuge in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be named in honor of an African-American. This refuge is located on some of Holt Collier's favorite hunting grounds. For additional information, click here.