From The Daily Inter Lake
Kalispell, Montana, July 16, 1923 –
Mute evidence of a tragedy of the woods was discovered a few days ago by Joe McKelvey, park ranger, in the vicinity of Many Glaciers chalet, Glacier National Park.
In a thicket about three miles north, Mr. McKelvey ran across the skeleton of a moose, and upon closer investigation, found parts of a human skeleton, which clearly showed that some hunter years ago had shot and wounded a moose and then been killed by the animal. Close by was found a Springfield 45-70 rifle with the breech open, and a shell which had stuck told how the hunter had lost his life. He had evidently fought to a finish for a broken knife (that) was found on the ground.
Old-timers in the vicinity of the park are of the opinion the skeleton is that of a French-Canadian trapper who disappeared about 18 years ago, but none remember his name. There is no doubt that the man lost his life a long time ago, for the bones are bleached and the rubber shoes which the hunter was wearing are badly weather-worn.
Mr. McKelvey got an excellent photograph of this tragedy of the hills. It shows the two skeletons where the combatants fell after (they finished) their fight, together with the rifle and other equipment of the hunter.
Outdoor Chronicles is a collection of outdoor stories that will make you laugh out loud, and want to carry them wherever you go. They range from a fishing trip to Canada to a little stream that was better than remembered, to how the baby boomers almost trampled a sport to death, to a solitary trek during a cold, dark, and dreary February, and many more. Buy Now