Grizzly bear kills man near Yellowstone....

**Kiltman** · 23rd June 10, 08:16 PM

Seems really timely since I'm currently in Yellowstone kilted, of course.

**rtc872** · 23rd June 10, 10:36 PM

I must apologise but every time I see this thread title I swear it says "bear kilts man" and images of a terrible make-over show involving a bear come to mind.

Just had to share and once again I apologise.

**Bugbear** · 23rd June 10, 10:48 PM

I just happen to be rereading the book, Black Elk Speaks- Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, and while there is no mention of bear grease, such as paint, there is plenty of discussion of face and body painting. Just thinking back to the discussion of bear grease hair stiffener and face paint that we had with String, back long, long ago... The smell was the main topic, I think.

**BoldHighlander** · 23rd June 10, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

I just happen to be rereading the book, Black Elk Speaks- Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Siou, and while there is no mention of bear grease, such as paint, there is plenty of discussion of face and body painting. Just thinking back to the discussion of bear grease hair stiffener and face paint that we had with String, back long, long ago... The smell was the main topic, I think.

On a related subject, I have some compatriots in the 18th century reenacting field who recreate the King's Native Allies, and some of them mix bear grease with their body paint.

**Bugbear** · 23rd June 10, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

On a related subject, I have some compatriots in the 18th century reenacting field who recreate the King's Native Allies, and some of them mix bear grease with their body paint.

I can't say for sure, but I seem to remember reading that it was also used on shoes with blackener of some sort around that same time period. Might be wrong about that, though.

**Bugbear** · 23rd June 10, 11:08 PM

I just remembered there are young men wearing bear skins, including a bear head, in at least one place in the book. I don't recall that the type of bear was named. I would guess they would have had bear grease.

**BoldHighlander** · 23rd June 10, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

I can't say for sure, but I seem to remember reading that it was also used on shoes with blackener of some sort around that same time period. Might be wrong about that, though.

You might be thinking of Black Ball, Ted. However, I don't believe bear grease was used as a shoe blackener.

A period recipe that I have calls for "2 ounces of fine mutton suet well clarified, [add] 1 ounce of bees wax, which melt with the suet then mix with them well --- 1 ounce of ivory black, then pour it out into any China cup or vessel you like, let it lay until next day & then knock it out & it will be fit for use."

Black Ball was used as a shoe polish, and to blacken leather cartridge boxes, pouches, belting, gaiters & spatterdashes.

**Bugbear** · 24th June 10, 01:22 AM

Ok, I think I found where I saw the bear grease on shoe: at Fugawee http://www.fugawee.com/menscolonial.htm
* And for some reason that link does not seem to work. It is in their "Mens Colonial Shoes" section.

In Colonial days, leather was brought to thickness by "currying" or scraping over a wooden beam. Unlined shoes would be made with the smooth side inside
to take the place of a lining. The rough outside leather was dressed with a mixture of soot, lard, bear grease and beeswax. The first commercial shoe
polish was advertised in Boston in 1771.

I don't see a citation for their information, so it might not be accurate. I am sure that is what I saw that lead me to bring it up. It might be a myth, and I'm not an expert in any of this.

**BoldHighlander** · 24th June 10, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

Ok, I think I found where I saw the bear grease on shoe: at Fugawee http://www.fugawee.com/menscolonial.htm
* And for some reason that link does not seem to work. It is in their "Mens Colonial Shoes" section.

I don't see a citation for their information, so it might not be accurate, but I am sure that is what I saw what lead me to bring it up. It might be a myth.

Anything is possible, I just don't recall (off the top of my head) coming across bear grease being used in black ball.

Unfortunately, as you mention Ted, they don't cite any refrences.

The recipe I mentioned came from The journals of Charles Beatty, 1762-1769, and appeared in [/I]The Packet (volume 1)[/I] by Mark Tully.
Interestingly, in The Packet, Tully states beef suet maybe substituted for mutton suet. No where does he mention bear grease.

Also, regarding ivory black (calcified ivory dust), Tully says it's hard to find, but bone black that can be found at some art supply stores maybe substituted. Or one could collect lamp black (soot) & use it instead.

Anyhow, I'll keep my eyes open for any documentation that backs up Fugawee.

**Lallans** · 24th June 10, 01:35 PM

On the frontier in colonial days, bear grease was one of the very few sources of fat, certainly to the pre-invasion native population. With most North American game being so lean, it is said to have in fact been a vital dietary supplement to avoid 'rabbit fever'. So I wouldn't be surprised if it formed the basis of everything requiring something fatty or waxy.

But not Scottish face paint. There was no Scottish face paint, was there? Wode yes, on pre-Celts; wode or paint no, never on Celts. Not before Mel Gibson.