The Life and Times of Chad’s Bear
Once upon a time, Deer Lodge Hotel had a resident pet black bear that loved drinking soda. He was called, at various times, Joe Chamberlain, Whiterock Pete, and Chad's Bear and in 1905 became a regular character in the Winnipeg Tribune. In the fiction of the Tribune, the bear had an ambitious life - he ran for office, was once a witness in a trial, was the subject of a lengthy biography and was a friend to many local politicians.
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Sources
Bruce Cherney. “Chad’s Bear” Winnipeg Real Estate News Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Catherine Macdonald, “BRYCE, GEORGE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 16.
David G. Burley, “SHARPE, THOMAS,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 15.
Michelle Cheperak, “Deer Lodge, James McKay, and Bear”, Deer Lodge Center.
Richard A. Willie, “CAMPBELL, COLIN H.,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 14.
Robert Fletcher, “The Language Problem in Manitoba’s School”, MHS Transactions (1949-50).
R.T.F Thompson, “Deer Lodge Through the Century” MHS Transactions (1965-66).
Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Tribune
