The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-03-17
"OLD MOSCOW THE TRAPPER. !"


Victor Dunn, more Familiarity known by
many of the residents of Saltwater as ssOld
Moscow" the subject of this sketch. was. bv
birth Russian, having been born in the
year 1876, near the River Moskwa, in the
vicinity of the city of Moscow. In 1912, be-
ing then boy of 16 years of age, he was
and forced into the army. then
actively engaged fighting the legions of Ma
poleon; he was present and took part in the
battle OF Borodlno, and afterward fought the
French as the battle advanced toward the
Russian capital. He witnessed the contla-
grafton of Moscow, and followed the EAGLES
OF the French in their disastrous retreat to-
ward the Nieman. 1t was q favorite theme
OF the old man to describe the scenes he un-
derwent during that terrible campaign; how
morning after morning, the French soldiers
would be found dead about the bivouac fire.
lying in the position in which the sleep of
death overlook them, during the night,
A Cross OF the Legion Of Honor, taken by
hlm from the dead body of q French officer
at the crossing of the River Beresina, the old
man was in the habit of exhibiting and
while looking at it exclaimed: "How did
pity the poor French" He used to say win
ter came on early that year (in October), as
apunishment to Bonaparte. Leaving the army
Victor came to Quebec, and afterwards was for
many years in the service of the Hudson RAY
Company.
Some twelve years ago he came to Still
water, where he used to fit out each winter
for his trapping expeditions on the head
waters OF the St. Croix and Chippewa rivers.
1t was singular sight to SEQ the old man as
he was on the point of starting out in the fall
to his winter quarters. With his uncouth
looking little mule laden with traps, kettles.
cooking utensils and other camping appara-
tus, until scarcely any mule but ears were
visible, followed by the old pointer dog,
Moses, in single file, this strange retinue
would take up the line of march to be seen
no more until the melting of the SHOWS in the
spring.
In the early part of the present winter the
spot selected by the old trapper for his win
ter's abode was on the borders of a small
stream known as Trade River, a tributary of
the Upper st. Croix. and it proved ''the last
earthly habtation' he would ever require
Recently an exploring party in that vicini-
ty We're attracted to the hut by the mournfu1
bowling OF dog. Guided by the sound
their steps were directed Ito the little cabin
where strange, sad sight met thor gaze
Near the entrance stood a diminutive mule
nearly doad with hunger. Beside him sal
the dog, who, on the approach of the men
ran into the cabin as though to apprise his
master that help was near But no earthly
assistance could avail his master Sitting in
corner, rigid in death, was Victor He
had evidently died very suddenly, as in his
right hand he held a large clasp knife, while
across his knees, partially finished, lay gun
rod. His gun, with tho ramrod broken
stood near him. at his feet lay a trap, with
an otter held in it.
Placing the body upon bed. and arrang.
ing it as decently as circumstances would ad
NIT for burial, n careful examination Of tho
clothing and effects was made, resulting il
finding q memoranda of his age, place o
birth, religion (Which was Catholic) together
with statement to the effect that he had
sum OF money concealed, and in case of hi
death, whoever should take care Of him dur
ing his sickness or find his body after death
should get his money. use sufficient cnn
~ give MS body proper burial. and retain
| the balance.
mat rs he had spent his life in the forest
he wished to lie there after death.
Attached to rosary about the neck wa
found the Gross of the Legion of Honor
:" long worn by the Old soldier in remem
brance of the bloody DAYS subsequent to th,
burning of Moscow
On examination Of the place designated il
the memorandum, sum of money in colo
was found. how much is not known; it i.
presumed considerable amount. The bod,
hes buried near the old pine tree at the cross
ing of Trade River, many miles from the ex
| citing scenes of his early life.
The two faithful companions who shared
his Wanderlngs are properly cared for, an,
many OF those who i'll times past have listen
Ell to the OLD man as he grew eloquent Will
recountlng his past history, will learn witt
regret the sad termination of the lonely life
of ''Old Moscow, the trapper"