The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1870-02-10
IDAHO WORLD.
"oLD MOSCOW. THE TRAppER."

Victor Daun, or more famiiarly known by
many of the residents of Saltwater as "Old
Moscow" the subject of this sketch, was by
birth Russian, having been born in the year
1896, near the river Moskwa, 10 the vicinity OF
the city of Moscow. In 1912, being then o
boy sixteen years of age, he. was conscripted
and forced into the Russian Army, then active
ly engaged in fighting the legions OF Napoleon.
He was present and took part IN the battle OF
Borodin0, md afterward fought the French
as the battle advanced toward the Russlan
capital He witnessed the confiagrafion OF
Moscow, aud followed the eagles of the French
in their disastrous retreat toward the Nieman.
It was fayorite theme of the old man to de.
scribe the scene he underwent during that ter
rible campaign; how, morning after morning,
the French soldiers would be found dead about
the biv0uac 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 him from the dead body of French officer,
ut the crossing of the River Beresina, the old
man was in the habit of exhibiting, and while
looking ut il would exclaim: "H0w / did pity
the poor French" He used to say Winter
came on early that year Tin Octoberl as pun
ishment to Bonaparte. Leaving the army af-
ter the captivity of the French Emperor, Vic
tor came to Quebec, and afterward was for
many years in the service of the Hudson Bay
Company Some twelve years ago no came to
saltwater, where he used to fit out each Win,
ter for his trapping expeditions on the head
waters of the Saint Croix and Chippewa rivers.
Il was singular sight to see 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 apparatus,
until scarcely any mule but ears was visible,
followed by the old pointer dog "Moses." in
single file, this strange retinue would take up
the line of march, tn be seen no more until the
melting of the SHOWS IN the Spring. la the
early part of the present Winter, the spot Sc
lected by the old trapper, for his Winter abode.
was on the borders OF small stream known
as Trade River. tributary of the Upper Saint
Croix, and it proved 'the last earthly habita.
ton" he would ever require. Recently, an
exploring party in that vicinity were attracted
TO the hut by the mournful bowling OF dog
Guided By the sound. their steps were directed
TO the little cabin, where q strange, sad sight,
met their gaze. Near the entrance stood
diminutiye mule. nearly dead with hunger.
Beside him sat the dog, who, on the approach
OF the men, ran into the cabin as Though 10
apprise bis master that help was near. But
no earthly assistance could avail his master.
Sitting in q corner, rigid in death, was poor
old Victor. He bad evidently died very sud. |
denly, as in his right hand he held large clasp
knife, while across his knees. partially finished. |
lay gun-rod. His gun, with the ramrod /
broken. stood near him; ut his feet lay trap /
with an otter held in it.
Placing the body upon the bed, and arrang-
ing it as decently as circumstances would ad- |
NIT, for burial, careful examination of the |
clothing and effects was made, resulting in !
finding memoranda of his age, place of birth, |
religion, (Which vas Catholic), together with |
a statement to the effect that he had n sum of
money concealed, and, in case Of his death,
whoever should take care of him during his
sickness, or find his body after death, should .
get the money, use q sufficient SUN to give his
body proper burial, aud retain the balance
That. as he had spent his life in the forest. he
wished TO lie there after death Attached to
the rosary about his neck was found the
Gross Of the Legion Of honor" so long worn
by the old soldier in remembrance of the
bloody days subsequent TO the burning of Mos
COW. On examination of the place designated
in the memorandum, q gum Of moaey in gold /
:Sas found-how much is not known: II is pre-
sumed considerable amount The body lies
buried near the old pine tree. at the crossing
Of Trade River, many miles distant from the
exciting scenes of his early life The two
faithful companions who shared his wander.
ings are properly cared for, and many of those
who, in times past, have listened to the old
maj as he grew eloquent when recounting his
past history, will learn with regret the sad
termination Of the lonely life of "Old Moscow,
The trapper.-St. Paul Pioneer, Jan 4.
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