Early days Dodge City, Kansas, was best known for cattle drives, but also for its very own bear named Paddy.
The black bear was captured as a cub in Oklahoma and brought to Dodge City in 1880. Paddy was given to Mayor James “Dog” Kelley, also a restaurant owner.
Kelley was an avid hunter who had served under General George Custer. In appreciation for his service, Custer gave Kelley a fine horse and about a dozen of his hunting dogs.
Kelley’s love of dogs earned him the nickname “Dog,” but his most famous pet was Paddy the bear.
Kelley confined Paddy behind his restaurant where the bear was taunted and harassed by drunken cowboys. As the “town pet,” Paddy was involved in many practical jokes and often broke loose from his bonds.
One such occasion during an early morning tormenting by cowboys, Paddy sought solace by running into the Dodge House hotel. He went through an open door into a room occupied by an unsuspecting railroader.
Paddy found refuge under the unfortunate man’s bed, who woke up to see a pair of fiery eyes staring back.
When Paddy growled. the railroader shot out of bed shrieking and yelling. Wearing only his nightshirt, the man ran the length of Front Street all the way to the depot.
In the meantime, a broom-wielding maid chased Paddy out of the hotel. The railroader declined an offer to go back to his hotel room and left Dodge City that very day.
During the evening, Paddy ran back into the hotel and hid under a different victim’s bed. It was occupied by a drunken salesman who hurled a glass under the bed.
That caused Paddy to rear up on his hind legs towering over the man. Both man and bear panicked as the man rushed out into the hotel dining room wearing only his underwear.
The man’s state of undress and distress created quite a stir among guests trying to have a quiet evening meal.
Of course, Paddy grew larger as he became older and got meaner due to the frequent torture from tormentors.
His owner, the major-restaurant operator was forced to slaughter Paddy when he became a danger to all of Dodge City.
Paddy’s last public appearance was appearance was Christmas dinner when he was served as the main course.