Museum Director Connie Overby and her Scottie Angie
visit Brownie, the Bear that Growls
The Bear That Growls
by
Carolyn Saul Logan
Museum Director Connie Overby and her Scottie Angie
visit Brownie, the Bear that Growls
One room in the Mill House is filled with toys—dolls in buggies, dolls at a tea table, a rocking horse, a small stove, a family of Teddy Bears, and a bear that growls. This is not a small bear with a weak growl. It is a large bear, big enough to give a small child a ride. This bear has a deep, satisfying growl. It’s an old bear, too—94 years old this Christmas.
Here is the story of the bear, told by its owner.
* * *
Brownie, My Bear
by
Lydia Kleppe Wogan
1986
During the pre-Christmas season in the year 1914, when I was ten years old, the Variety Store in Sioux Rapids, Iowa had on display in the window Brownie, a large sturdily-built toy bear on wheels, with a device, when activated, growled realistically. On Christmas Eve Brownie would be given to the person whose guess was closest to the number of beans in a glass jar. A person was eligible to guess when he had made a purchase of not less than 25 cents.
Every time I passed that window I admired Brownie. I pleaded with my frugal preacher father for a quarter so that I might guess [the number of beans]. Reluctantly, he gave me the quarter so that I might make a guess. The condition was that I purchase something worthwhile. After a search for what I thought would be worthwhile, I purchased a tin flour sifter which surely must be worthwhile.
On Christmas Eve there was a knock at our door. The owner of the store came to tell me that my number was closest to the number of beans in the jar, and that Brownie was mine. However, he offered me $10.00 instead of the bear if I wished. My father thought I should take the $10.00, but I wanted Brownie.
In the years to come, we realized the choice was a wise one. Many children enjoyed riding on Brownie and having him growl. He still will growl, but his upholstery is well worn.
Eventually, Brownie was relegated to the attic for a short time, but when the Humboldt Museum was developed, I felt that would be a nice home for Brownie. Today’s children can see a toy that gave hours of enjoyment to children 70 years ago.
* * *
Brownie the Bear has retired from giving children rides. But he still can growl. Ask Connie Overby, the museum director, to make Brownie growl the next time you visit the museum.