July 19, 1923, The Missoulian
TRAGEDY OF YEARS AGO MUTELY TOLD
Skeletons of Moose and Human Found in Glacier;
Past Recalled
Kalispell,. July 18. -- Mute evidence of a bygone tragedy of the woods was discovered a few days ago by Glacier Park Ranger Joe McKelvey near Many Glaciers.
In a thicket about three miles from the chalets, Mr. McKelvey found the skeleton of a moose and upon closer investigation discovered a human skeleton underneath. An inspection of the position of the bones, the remains of an old 45-70 rifle with an empty shell, jammed In the breech and an old Hudson Bay knife with the shaft broken, revealed plainly enough that the unfortunate, man fired one shot, mortally , wounding the moose which had charged. Upon his attempt to pump in a fresh shell the ejector had jammed. Futile recourse was had to the hunting knife which had been unavailing in defending himself against the charge.
Evidently the man had been trampled to death before the moose succumbed to the gunshot.
Old timers in the vicinity recall the disappearance of a French-Canadian trapper about 18 years ago, but none remember his name. There is no doubt but that the accident occurred many years ago for the man's rubbers were bleached and shrunken with exposure of many years, the stock of the gun was almost consumed with decay and the rust of both knife and gun barrel was plainly the accumulation of years
