A memorial sign near Duret's grave site still stands in the Gallatin
National Forest today.
The sign reads:
"Joseph (Frenchy) B. Duret
(Native of France)
Pioneer, park county trail blazer and nationally known hunter, trapper and
guide, lost his life in hand-to-hand encounter with a huge grizzly bear on
June 12, 1922.
When Duret tried to dispatch the trapped bear with a bullet which evidently
did not reach a vital spot, the enraged animal broke the chain which held
the trap. Pieces of grizzly fur, strands of hair, torn bits of flesh, the
blood soaked ground, and chewed rifle stock all bore mute testimony to the
struggle that ensued.
Mr. Durets body was found near this spot on June 13. On June 15, Ass.
Buffalo Keeper Hutchins and Ranger Denhnoff, both of Yellowstone Park,
buried the body and read over it some verses from the bible and said a
prayer.
Mr. Duret was a friend of Theodore Roosevelt whom he conducted on several
hunting and fishing trips in the area.
Gallatin National Forest"
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