Thomas was the son of Thomas Morgan & Anna (Beaver) Bear. He was married to Dorothy Peck.
Miami Daily News Record
Monday, June 26, 1933
"DEATH OF INDIAN YOUTH IN CRASH LAID TO WAGER
Tommy Bear, l9, Receives Broken Neck as Wreck at Commerce Ends Race
TIE-ROD GIVES WAY
John Steen, 20, Seriously Injured
Two Others Hurt in Auto Accidents
Tommy Bear, 19-year-old fullblood Indian and eldest child of Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam, wealthy Quapaw, laid a wager with Reuben Sixkiller, another Miami Indian youth, that he could beat Sixkiller to Devil's Promenade from Commerce. The wager cost Bear his life and serious injury to John Steen, 27, another Miami Indian.
The race was reported to have started from in front of Riley Saffell's cafe at Commerce at 2:30 o'clock Sunday morning. Five minutes later a car came back to Commerce carrying Bear's body, his neck broken, and a Mitehelson ambulance brought. him to Miami. Bear was believed to have died instantly. The survivor of several previous accidents, young Bear was known as a fast driver. Both Bear and Sixkiller were driving Ford "eights." Sixkiller's passenger was Edgar (Red) Grigsby.
Into Ditch At Turn
Young Bear'sCar negotiated the U S. Highway 66 turn a mile north of Commerce and then plunged into the right hand ditch, rolling over many times, just as the machine hit the straight-away. The general interpretation of marks on the pavement was that a "tie-rod" came loose on Bear's machine, allowing the right front wheel to turn sideways while the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.
Bear's body was found a few feet from the pavement, evidently thrown out on the first roll, while Steen, unconscious, was found near the wreck of the car 75 feet further on. Grigsby said Sixkiller's car was in front and he and Sixkiller knew something was wrong when Bear's lights winked out behind them.
Steen Improves Today
Hospital attendants reported this morning that Steen's condition was improved and that he did not have a fractured skull as was feared at first. He has severe scalp laceration. The dead youth was a fullblood Indian, his mother being a full blood Quapaw and his father a fullblood Oneida.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 o'clock Tuesday morning at the All Saints' Episcopal church by the Rev. Dean R. Edwards. Afterward Chief Victor Griffin of Quapaws will conduct Indian rites at the grave in G. A. R. cemetery.
The youth is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Bear; one son, Tommy, Jr.; his mother, Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam; his stepfather, F. L. Hallam; three sisters, Ruth Bear, Roberta Hallam and Mrs. Ben Adair, and one brother, Kenneth Bear. The Cooper Undertakers of Miami are in charge."
Miami Daily News Record
Tuesday, June 27, 1933
"Throng at Funeral Of Tommy Bear
Indians and white people alike gathered at the All Saints' Episcopal church here today to form a crowd of more than 1,000 persons attending funeral services for Tommy Bear, 19-year-old victim of an automobile accident early Sunday morning. He was the oldest child of Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam,wealthy Quapaw Indian woman who is widely known In the Tri-State district.
Floral offerings were among the most elaborate ever seen here. Another crowd estimated at 500 persons took part In the burial feast, a native Quapaw Indian ceremony, which was held at the Alex Beaver home near Devil's Promenade.
The Rev. Dean R. Edwards conducted services at the church and Chief Victor Griffin of the Quapaws was in charge of Indian rites at the grave. John Steen, injured in the crash that took Bear's life near Commerce, was reported resting well at Miami Baptist hospital today."
Miami Daily News Record
Monday, June 26, 1933
"DEATH OF INDIAN YOUTH IN CRASH LAID TO WAGER
Tommy Bear, l9, Receives Broken Neck as Wreck at Commerce Ends Race
TIE-ROD GIVES WAY
John Steen, 20, Seriously Injured
Two Others Hurt in Auto Accidents
Tommy Bear, 19-year-old fullblood Indian and eldest child of Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam, wealthy Quapaw, laid a wager with Reuben Sixkiller, another Miami Indian youth, that he could beat Sixkiller to Devil's Promenade from Commerce. The wager cost Bear his life and serious injury to John Steen, 27, another Miami Indian.
The race was reported to have started from in front of Riley Saffell's cafe at Commerce at 2:30 o'clock Sunday morning. Five minutes later a car came back to Commerce carrying Bear's body, his neck broken, and a Mitehelson ambulance brought. him to Miami. Bear was believed to have died instantly. The survivor of several previous accidents, young Bear was known as a fast driver. Both Bear and Sixkiller were driving Ford "eights." Sixkiller's passenger was Edgar (Red) Grigsby.
Into Ditch At Turn
Young Bear'sCar negotiated the U S. Highway 66 turn a mile north of Commerce and then plunged into the right hand ditch, rolling over many times, just as the machine hit the straight-away. The general interpretation of marks on the pavement was that a "tie-rod" came loose on Bear's machine, allowing the right front wheel to turn sideways while the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.
Bear's body was found a few feet from the pavement, evidently thrown out on the first roll, while Steen, unconscious, was found near the wreck of the car 75 feet further on. Grigsby said Sixkiller's car was in front and he and Sixkiller knew something was wrong when Bear's lights winked out behind them.
Steen Improves Today
Hospital attendants reported this morning that Steen's condition was improved and that he did not have a fractured skull as was feared at first. He has severe scalp laceration. The dead youth was a fullblood Indian, his mother being a full blood Quapaw and his father a fullblood Oneida.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 o'clock Tuesday morning at the All Saints' Episcopal church by the Rev. Dean R. Edwards. Afterward Chief Victor Griffin of Quapaws will conduct Indian rites at the grave in G. A. R. cemetery.
The youth is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Bear; one son, Tommy, Jr.; his mother, Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam; his stepfather, F. L. Hallam; three sisters, Ruth Bear, Roberta Hallam and Mrs. Ben Adair, and one brother, Kenneth Bear. The Cooper Undertakers of Miami are in charge."
Miami Daily News Record
Tuesday, June 27, 1933
"Throng at Funeral Of Tommy Bear
Indians and white people alike gathered at the All Saints' Episcopal church here today to form a crowd of more than 1,000 persons attending funeral services for Tommy Bear, 19-year-old victim of an automobile accident early Sunday morning. He was the oldest child of Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam,wealthy Quapaw Indian woman who is widely known In the Tri-State district.
Floral offerings were among the most elaborate ever seen here. Another crowd estimated at 500 persons took part In the burial feast, a native Quapaw Indian ceremony, which was held at the Alex Beaver home near Devil's Promenade.
The Rev. Dean R. Edwards conducted services at the church and Chief Victor Griffin of the Quapaws was in charge of Indian rites at the grave. John Steen, injured in the crash that took Bear's life near Commerce, was reported resting well at Miami Baptist hospital today."
Thomas was the son of Thomas Morgan & Anna (Beaver) Bear. He was married to Dorothy Peck.
Miami Daily News Record
Monday, June 26, 1933
"DEATH OF INDIAN YOUTH IN CRASH LAID TO WAGER
Tommy Bear, l9, Receives Broken Neck as Wreck at Commerce Ends Race
TIE-ROD GIVES WAY
John Steen, 20, Seriously Injured
Two Others Hurt in Auto Accidents
Tommy Bear, 19-year-old fullblood Indian and eldest child of Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam, wealthy Quapaw, laid a wager with Reuben Sixkiller, another Miami Indian youth, that he could beat Sixkiller to Devil's Promenade from Commerce. The wager cost Bear his life and serious injury to John Steen, 27, another Miami Indian.
The race was reported to have started from in front of Riley Saffell's cafe at Commerce at 2:30 o'clock Sunday morning. Five minutes later a car came back to Commerce carrying Bear's body, his neck broken, and a Mitehelson ambulance brought. him to Miami. Bear was believed to have died instantly. The survivor of several previous accidents, young Bear was known as a fast driver. Both Bear and Sixkiller were driving Ford "eights." Sixkiller's passenger was Edgar (Red) Grigsby.
Into Ditch At Turn
Young Bear'sCar negotiated the U S. Highway 66 turn a mile north of Commerce and then plunged into the right hand ditch, rolling over many times, just as the machine hit the straight-away. The general interpretation of marks on the pavement was that a "tie-rod" came loose on Bear's machine, allowing the right front wheel to turn sideways while the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.
Bear's body was found a few feet from the pavement, evidently thrown out on the first roll, while Steen, unconscious, was found near the wreck of the car 75 feet further on. Grigsby said Sixkiller's car was in front and he and Sixkiller knew something was wrong when Bear's lights winked out behind them.
Steen Improves Today
Hospital attendants reported this morning that Steen's condition was improved and that he did not have a fractured skull as was feared at first. He has severe scalp laceration. The dead youth was a fullblood Indian, his mother being a full blood Quapaw and his father a fullblood Oneida.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 o'clock Tuesday morning at the All Saints' Episcopal church by the Rev. Dean R. Edwards. Afterward Chief Victor Griffin of Quapaws will conduct Indian rites at the grave in G. A. R. cemetery.
The youth is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Bear; one son, Tommy, Jr.; his mother, Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam; his stepfather, F. L. Hallam; three sisters, Ruth Bear, Roberta Hallam and Mrs. Ben Adair, and one brother, Kenneth Bear. The Cooper Undertakers of Miami are in charge."
Miami Daily News Record
Tuesday, June 27, 1933
"Throng at Funeral Of Tommy Bear
Indians and white people alike gathered at the All Saints' Episcopal church here today to form a crowd of more than 1,000 persons attending funeral services for Tommy Bear, 19-year-old victim of an automobile accident early Sunday morning. He was the oldest child of Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam,wealthy Quapaw Indian woman who is widely known In the Tri-State district.
Floral offerings were among the most elaborate ever seen here. Another crowd estimated at 500 persons took part In the burial feast, a native Quapaw Indian ceremony, which was held at the Alex Beaver home near Devil's Promenade.
The Rev. Dean R. Edwards conducted services at the church and Chief Victor Griffin of the Quapaws was in charge of Indian rites at the grave. John Steen, injured in the crash that took Bear's life near Commerce, was reported resting well at Miami Baptist hospital today."
Miami Daily News Record
Monday, June 26, 1933
"DEATH OF INDIAN YOUTH IN CRASH LAID TO WAGER
Tommy Bear, l9, Receives Broken Neck as Wreck at Commerce Ends Race
TIE-ROD GIVES WAY
John Steen, 20, Seriously Injured
Two Others Hurt in Auto Accidents
Tommy Bear, 19-year-old fullblood Indian and eldest child of Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam, wealthy Quapaw, laid a wager with Reuben Sixkiller, another Miami Indian youth, that he could beat Sixkiller to Devil's Promenade from Commerce. The wager cost Bear his life and serious injury to John Steen, 27, another Miami Indian.
The race was reported to have started from in front of Riley Saffell's cafe at Commerce at 2:30 o'clock Sunday morning. Five minutes later a car came back to Commerce carrying Bear's body, his neck broken, and a Mitehelson ambulance brought. him to Miami. Bear was believed to have died instantly. The survivor of several previous accidents, young Bear was known as a fast driver. Both Bear and Sixkiller were driving Ford "eights." Sixkiller's passenger was Edgar (Red) Grigsby.
Into Ditch At Turn
Young Bear'sCar negotiated the U S. Highway 66 turn a mile north of Commerce and then plunged into the right hand ditch, rolling over many times, just as the machine hit the straight-away. The general interpretation of marks on the pavement was that a "tie-rod" came loose on Bear's machine, allowing the right front wheel to turn sideways while the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.
Bear's body was found a few feet from the pavement, evidently thrown out on the first roll, while Steen, unconscious, was found near the wreck of the car 75 feet further on. Grigsby said Sixkiller's car was in front and he and Sixkiller knew something was wrong when Bear's lights winked out behind them.
Steen Improves Today
Hospital attendants reported this morning that Steen's condition was improved and that he did not have a fractured skull as was feared at first. He has severe scalp laceration. The dead youth was a fullblood Indian, his mother being a full blood Quapaw and his father a fullblood Oneida.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 o'clock Tuesday morning at the All Saints' Episcopal church by the Rev. Dean R. Edwards. Afterward Chief Victor Griffin of Quapaws will conduct Indian rites at the grave in G. A. R. cemetery.
The youth is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Bear; one son, Tommy, Jr.; his mother, Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam; his stepfather, F. L. Hallam; three sisters, Ruth Bear, Roberta Hallam and Mrs. Ben Adair, and one brother, Kenneth Bear. The Cooper Undertakers of Miami are in charge."
Miami Daily News Record
Tuesday, June 27, 1933
"Throng at Funeral Of Tommy Bear
Indians and white people alike gathered at the All Saints' Episcopal church here today to form a crowd of more than 1,000 persons attending funeral services for Tommy Bear, 19-year-old victim of an automobile accident early Sunday morning. He was the oldest child of Mrs. Anna Beaver Bear Hallam,wealthy Quapaw Indian woman who is widely known In the Tri-State district.
Floral offerings were among the most elaborate ever seen here. Another crowd estimated at 500 persons took part In the burial feast, a native Quapaw Indian ceremony, which was held at the Alex Beaver home near Devil's Promenade.
The Rev. Dean R. Edwards conducted services at the church and Chief Victor Griffin of the Quapaws was in charge of Indian rites at the grave. John Steen, injured in the crash that took Bear's life near Commerce, was reported resting well at Miami Baptist hospital today."
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