Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-14

DimHuAuE Dt"ths . ~.
From the 81. Paul Pioneer January Al "
Victor DAuD, or more Familiarity know
bv the MANY reaidents of saltwater a
~Old Moscow, the subject Of ihi
sketch. was BY birth Russian, havinI
been born in the year 1886, near ID
river Moskwa. ia the vicinity Of the oil,
of Moscow. In 1912, being then a boz
sixteen years Of age, he was coascripte'
aud forced into the Russian army. tkeI
actively engaged fighting The legions o
Napoleon; ne was present and took par
ip the batlle Of Borodino. and sfterwars
fought the French as the latter advanced
toward the Russian capital. He wit
messed the confagration of Moscow, snd
followed the eagles of the French 10 thell
disastrous retreat toward the Nleman
Ii was favorte lheme for Abe old mar
to describe the scene he underwent du
ring that terrible campaigr; how, morn
ing after morning, the French soldiers
would be found dead about the bivouac
fire, lying in the position in which the
sleep oil death overlook them during the
night. A cross of The Legion Of Honor,
taken BY him from the dead body Of q
French officer at the crossing OF the
river Beresins, the old man was in the
habit Of exhibiting, and while locking At
il would exolaim: How l did pity the
poor French lie used to. cay winter
came on early that wear lin 0etober) as
a punishment TO B)naparte. Lsaving
the army after the captivity Of the French
Emperor, Victor came to Quebec, and
sfterward was for many years iu.the SER
vice of the Hudson Bay Company. Some
twelve years ago he came to Saltwater,
where be used to fit out each winter for his
trapping expeditions on the head waters
of the Saint Croix and Chippewa rivers.
1t was singular sight to see the old man
as he was on the point of starting out in
the fall 10 his winter quarters. With his
uncouih looking little mule laden with
traps, kettles, cooking uiensils and other
camping apparatus, until scarcely any
mule but ears was visible, followed BY
the old pointer deg, Moses, in single file,
this strange retiLue would take up the
line OF march. to be seen no more until
the melting of the SHOWS in the spring.
Ia the early part of the present winter
the spot selt c,ed by the old trspper for
his winters abode was on the borders Of
a small stream knowH as Trade river, q
tributary Of the Upper st. Cro;x, and it
proved 1.-THE last earthly hsbitation T" he
would ever require Recently an ex-
ploring party In that vicinity were at
tracted to the hut by the mournful howl
ing ola dog. Guided by the sound, their
steps we're directed to the little cabin,
where a s,ra, &c, cad sight either q ze.
N EAR The entrance stood dininulive
mule, nearly dead with hunger Beside
him sat the dog, who, on the approach Of
The men, ran into the cabin as though to
apprizs bis master that help was near.
Bat no earthly assistance could avail his
master. Sitting in corner, rigid in
death, was poor Victor; he had evidently
died very suddenly, as in his right hand
he held large clasp-kpife, while across
his knees partially finished lay gun
rod. His gun, with the rsmrod broken,
stood near him; at his feet lay trap
with an ciler held in it,
Placing the body upon the bed and ar
ranging it rs decently as circumstances
would admit fer burial, careful exami-
nation of the clothing and fleets was
made, resulting in finding a memorsn
duo Of his age, place of birth, religion,
(which was Catbolic) together with a
statement TO the effect that he had sum
of morey concealed, and 10 case of his
death, whoever should take care of him
during bis sickness or find his body after
death, should get the money, use so I'll :
Gent SUN to give his body proper burial,
and retain the balance, That as be had
spent bis life 10 the forest, he wished TO
lie there after death. Attached to ro-
sary about his neck was fousd the Gross
of lhe L sgisn of Honor" so long worn
by the old soldier in remembrance Of the
bloody days subse quen; to the burning of
Moscow. On examination Of the place
designated 10 the memorandum, sum
of money in gold was found, how much
is not kuown; it is presumed consid-
cradle amount. The body lies buried
near the old pine tree at the crossing Of
the Trade river, many miles from the ex-
citing scenes of his early life. The two
faithful companions who shared his wan
deringf, are properly cared for, and
many OF those who 10 times past have
listened 10 the old man as he grew elo-
uuent when recountiDg his past history,
will learn with regret the sad termination
of the lonely life of "0ld Moscow, the
trappsr."