Joseph B. 'Frenchy' Duret

American Heroes and Madmen, #2: Joseph B. "Frenchy" Duret

Frenchy Duret was a trapper, obviously of French origin (as many were, it seems - I really couldn't tell you why but if you've ever read much about homesteading pioneers in North America you know that any trappers mentioned are perennially French...) who plied his trade in Montana. Frenchy set up his homestead on what would eventually become Yellowstone National Park. Frenchy wasn't about to give up his wanton lust for the flesh and hides of bears just because of some imaginary line that that sum-bitch Teddy Roosevelt had set up to preserve a few trees. Damn tree-hugger. Undeterred by federal law, the 60 year old grizzled frontiersman poached his bear meat at his own discretion: U.S government be damned! One fateful day in 1922, Frenchy was no doubt shocked to find that a bear snared in one of his traps was capable of, well... going all BEAR on his ass. Frenchy became dinner for this particular bear. (Technically, half of Frenchy did- so the reports said.) I wonder if the bear ordered a side of French Fries? Perhaps used a bit of French dressing on the gamey bits? But I digress... Karma is, indeed, a bitch. I plan on dying by a firing squad composed of pigs, chickens and many, many pissed off cows m'self.

Joseph Duret was considered enough of a local legend that the government named a meadow after him at the site of his old homestead in Yellowstone, near Slough Creek in the "Beartooth Wilderness" (insert 'haha' here). "Frenchy Meadow" is a nice little spot to go fishing for Rainbow Trout. Perhaps that's why there are bears there too? Hmmm.

watercolor on paper, about 6x8". 2008