U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)-– Thanks to Hayley Chambers of the Ketchikan Museums for pictures of Old Groaner’s skull. In the first three segments of this series, the formation of the myth of Old Groaner was discussed.
In segment one, the original article, published in February of 1936, almost certainly written less than two months after Old Groaner was killed, is detailed. Old Groaner was killed in November of 1935. It takes time to put a paper magazine together and to print it, especially in 1936.
In segment two, the 1953 re-write and some of the major changes between the 1953 rewrite and the 1936 original article are discussed.
In segment three, the variations in the story from 1936 to 1953, to 1956, 1986, and 1994 are covered.
In this last segment, I speculate about the wounding of Old Groaner. The spread of the myth over time and its documentation.
Someone shot and wounded Old Groaner long before the Johnstones became aware of him. It appears the unknown person used a .33 caliber rifle, although there is no mention of how the bullets found in the skull were measured. Shots placed in the area of the head to shatter the right eye arch and cheekbone often stun a grizzly bear, and they appear to be dead. People are surprised when the bear revives.
Did Old Groaner hate men? Maybe. He feared men. The bear was very careful to avoid being seen by men until the last event, where the dog Slasher was present.
Old Groaner was a dangerous bear. He was very large. He was suffering and in pain. It makes for
