Memorable animals and their antics

Animals play an important role in our lives. Some animals are pets, some are workers and some are entertainers, like in the zoo. Throughout history, animals have held a special place in our hearts. I have a few stories from the past involving animals that I would like to share with you.

A very famous animal in our local history was Betty Bear in a zoo at Joplin’s Schifferdecker Park. Betty arrived and started entertaining crowds in 1920. One day in February 1937, the citizens of Joplin were treated to an unusual sight at Seventh and Schifferdecker streets when Betty and a stray dog were seen playing in the middle of the intersection.

The two critters were taking turns chasing each other. It seems that Betty had made her escape when the the pool of water that normally kept her in her pen froze over. Betty took a stroll around the park, enjoying her freedom. Her chasing playmate didn’t seem to notice that Betty was a bear; he was just enjoying some playtime.

Betty’s freedom was short lived, as Kit Vickery, the park superintendent found her and spanked poor Betty all the way back to her pen. I guess Betty did not hibernate during the winter.

Then in 1943, Betty was in the newspaper again, but it wasn’t her fault. It seems that during the night she had an unexpected visit from a Camp Crowder soldier who must have been an animal lover. He climbed into the pen where the mama bear (Betty) and papa bear usually welcomed guests carrying peanuts for treats. The intruder showing up in the middle of the night did not please papa bear. Neither did it set too well with him when the soldier began petting Betty. She let out a low growl and papa bear took out after the soldier. The soldier was making a pretty hasty retreat but slipped on some boulders along the side of the bears’ den. Just as papa bear was about to pounce, the soldier was saved when his buddies pulled him to safety. Lucky for him, because papa bear was determined to win that battle! The soldier declared that he would only observe the bears from a distance after that episode.

Betty Bear continued to entertain park visitors until her death in 1952. Her grave, a stone on the east edge of the golf course, across from the Tri-State Mineral Museum, also marks the location of the former Schifferdecker Zoo.

Another famous animal was mentioned in Jerry Pryor’s book, Southwest Missouri Mining. He tells about Roy Campbell being given a cantankerous old mule to work with in the mines. Every day, Roy would feed his mule something green, and that old mule soon became a good work mule. Years later, after Roy had retired, he saw that same mule grazing in a field. When the mule saw Roy, he trotted over and raised his hoof as he used to do to get his treat. He had recognized Roy.

In 1942, there were some pigeons delivered to Camp Crowder to be trained to deliver messages. One of the pigeons, named Kaiser, had the distinction of being a prisoner of war from Germany during World War I. Twenty-five years later, that pigeon was being used for World War II. Kaiser was assumed to be the only surviving carrier pigeon from WWI. Each pigeon traveled with a name, service record and serial number just like the men.

Another animal of World War II fame was Skeeter. She was a white pooch with black spots. Her lineage was questionable, but she hailed from North Africa. Skeeter arrived on the war scene not too long after she was born. She became the mascot of the soldiers. Her first battle was on Dec. 24, 1942, and she came though without a scratch. She also saw action from Tunis to Gafsa and Hill 909.

Skeeter hit the beaches of southern France with the forward elements on D-day. Screaming shells did not seem to affect Skeeter in any way. As time wore on, Skeeter began to pay attention to one soldier in particular, eating and sleeping with John King, a medical attendant from Joplin.

When King received his discharge, he could not leave Europe without his companion. Skeeter made the long trip to Joplin, carrying with her the distinction of being a Canine American Combat Veteran, with 704 days of actual combat and seven stars..

Lassie, a canine hero came to our area when she retired from her “tour of duty” along side her owner, 1st Lt. Wallie Konantz. He had purchased Lassie from a pet shop in London and she became his constant companion. They rode together in bombers, fighters, light “Grasshopper” cubs and small cargo planes. Their final flight together was the 5,000 mile trip to get to her new home in Lamar. Lassie’s military career came to an end, and she enjoyed the rest of her life in a small town in Missouri.

Great stories about great animals to share with a friend!