BIRTH:  Unknown
DEATH:  Unknown

• Came to Lumby from Ontario in 1920.
• Found a cub, named it Muskwa.
• Sold it to the zoo.

Joe Davis was a memorable civilian in Lumby. He was a butcher by trade and many will remember his little cabin that was situated near Shield's store. Although, Joe was a bachelor, he had a most loyal companion - a small dog named Woofie.

One day, while they were hunting, Joe and Woofie found a small, motherless, black bear cub. The whimpering little orphan appreared so pathetic that Joe picked him up and carried him to the Gallon farm. There the cub found a home and a name. They called him "Muskwa" which is an Indian word for black bear cub. When the day was over, the cub, Muskwa was tied up to the kitchen table leg. Every morning, the kitchen was found in a state of chaos.

One day Joe Davis returned to the farm to visit the Gallons and to see how the cub was coming along. Joe arrived at a good time; the home-made cider was ready and waiting. While he was sampling a drink and watching the bear, Mr. Davis flashed on an idea. Since bears like apples, they'd probably enjoy a drink of cider. He soon found a dish and poured Muskwa a shot. The animal lapped it up greedily and wanted more. The dish was refilled again, and Muskwa attacked it with gusto. To the suprise of the audience, the bear suddenly laid down with his head in the dish! Muskwa was an intoxicated bear!

Gradually, the bear struggled to his hunkers. There he sat, lamenting loudly when he tried to stand up. His head began to move from side to side and his fellow drinkers rollicked at his hilarious efforts and funny expression.

This became a regular source of entertainment for Joe and his buddies. Well, Muskwa grew big. At the age of four months, the Gallon Boys found people in Toronto who wanted a bear for the zoo and they shipped Muskwa to them by train.