The Wrangell Sentinel

JIMMY THE BEAR BOY DIES AT SITKA LAST SEPTEMBER

In 1851 a man drowned in the river near Yakutat named Guthlieth (Ghukhlee-ekh), and when the body was recovered it was bent nearly double as though with cramp, the arms were drawn up so that the hands hung stiffly at either side of the face, according to the Sitka Arrowhead's last issue. The man's body looked like a dancing bear.

Shortly after that, the story continues, a child was born into a Thlinget family, and he was also named Guthlieth. He seemed a normal boy-child, but as he grew older and neared the walking age, the second Guthlieth seemed to take on the drowned body of the first, for the Indian soul never dies, but passes on into another life forever.

Later, Guthlieth was given the Christian name of Jim Bailey, but through the years he has become known by most Alaskans and by many American readers as Dancing Bear or Jimmy the Bear Boy.

His age was unknown and his ignorance of English led people to believe that his affliction affected him mentally; but the Thlinget people tell that he was 83 and normal. Often he told stories to children through the evening-legends that died with him.

He was noted for his exceptional strength and his kindness. As a young man he could throw a whole seal into a sling and pack it on his back. In wrestling games no man could throw him who would get down with bent knees to make the game even. Until just a few days before his death we have all seen him packing loads of wood on his back that would have been burdens for a normal man.

Jimmy shared his fish and his wood with his friends. He cared for children and did his share of work.

As he grew old, the Bear Boy grew more upright, for in his youth he bent nearly to the ground. Until a month before he died he continued his heavy work of wood-packing.

He died last month at Sitka.