Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-12-07
Remarkable Narration.

dividunls were employed by the General Go
vcrnmcnt to explore the North West Territory
from the Mississippi across the Rocky Noun
taius down the Columbia river to the Pacific.
A correspondent of the North Arkansas, pa
per published in Batcsvic, Arkansas, gives an
| interesting narration of the fate of Capt. Geo.
! Mcrriweathcr Lewis, one of the persons en-.
| poyed in the expedition, whose fate has hlther
to hcen shroudcd in mystery. The writer Of the
narration is at present teacher in the Chero-
! kec nation, and assures the editor of the "Ar-
kansas" that the facts set forth are substantially |
true; ; that he became acquainted with Mrs
! Grinder-a person who is referred to in the |
marathon while stationed for several months !
in her ncighborhood.
The writer goes on TO say that Lewis and
Clark, accompanied by from seventy to hun
drcd others. commenced their expedition about
the year 1903 or 1904, and completed it in a.
bout three years. They were men of great
enterprise, bravery and usefulness. He then
calls attention to Capt; Lewis, and the question
is asked, where is he and he replies, his NOR
tai remains are deposited in the south west cor
ner of Muury county. Tennessee, near Grinders
old Stand, on the Na,chez trace, where Law.
renee, Maurv and hickman counties corner to-
gcthcr.
When visited the grave, says the writer, in
1s3S, could scarcely distinguish it from the
common ground, it being grown over with
shruhbery of different kinds and no stone, no
paings, no monument to tell whose grave it
was. Grinders old stand had long been con.
sumed to ashes, and there was no house within
several miles. The old field was grown up
with bushes and brnrs, and it was lately a
drcary, solitary looking place.
There is something very mysterious connect
r ed with the death of Capt Lewis which in all
nrohabjlitv will never he developed until "the
cad, small and great shall stand before God"
- lie gives the following particulars as he re-.
. ceiv.d them from Mrs. Grinder, the lady at
whose house he terminals I'd his mortal career
She said that Mr.. Lewis was on his way to the
"a city Of Washington, accompanied by Mr..
>. Pyrna and servant belonging to Major Nee
x. ly.
!. One evening, little before Sundown, Mr..
q. Lexis called at her house and asked for lodg-
n, ngs Mr.. Grinder not being at home, she hest
a. ta'ed to take him in. Mr.. Lewis informed hel
rs that two other men would be along presently
4. Who also wished to spend the night at he
n. house. and as they were all civil men, he dit
Y. rot think there would be any improperly il
her giving them accommodations for the nigh,
no c,,,p,ptnl tn lot thpm = n
II Mr.. Lewis dismounted, fastened lis horse, too
W scat hy the side of the house, and appeare
y quite sncahlc. In few minutes Mr.. Fyrn
st and tho servant rode up, and seeing Mr.. Lewis
- they also d.smountcd and put up their horses
"' Abou, dark two or three other men rode up an
rd called for lodging Mr. Lewis immediate
ne drew brace of pistols, stepped towards theI
II" and challenged them to fight duel. They NJ
las liking this sau,ion rode on to the next hous,
m five miles This alarmed Mrs. Grinder. SUI
"l' per, however, was ready in few minutes. Nj
yer LOWS ate hut lrutlc. lie would stop eatin!
and SIT as it in deep study, and several time
de exclaimed, 'If they do prove anything on M
cr they will have To do it better Supper bcin
u. over. and Mrs Grinder seeing that Mr., Lew
VAS mentally dcrangrd, requested MIR. Pyrn
of to get his pistols from him. Mr.. i, rePie,
l,. "he has no ammunition. and if he does any mi
ol chief Il will be done 10 himself and not To yo,
he or any body else" In a short time ali retire
uh To bed; the travellers IN one room, as Mrs. {
he Thought and she and her children IN anOlhc
IN Two or three hours before day, Mrs q. was
Il larmrd by the report OF pistol, and quickly a
Ter two other reports IN the room where tn
=, travellers were. At the report OF the third, sl
=. heard some one fall aud cXclaim, 80. Lord
Congress relieve me - Ia few minutes sh
n. heard some pcrsnn ai the door oIthe room wher
w., she nv She iupnired, 'Who is there J" NJ
, Lewis spike, aud -ard, Dear madam, be
good as to give me luIc water" Being
iraId tn upcn thc door, she did not give him am
Presently she heard him fall and soon ate
, looking through a crack IN the wall, she sa'
him scramblng across the road on his hand
- and hnccs.
After daylight, Mr. Pyrna aud The servar
=, made their appearance, and it appeared the
had not slept in the house, but in the stabl
Mr. T. had on the clothes Mr.. l.. wore whe
by they came to Mrs. Grinders the evening befo
5 and Mr.. Is gold watch in his pocket Mr.
c. asked him what he was doing with Mr., l.
of clothes on; Mr. p, replied, ale gave them
it me" Mr.. p. and the servant then searched &
Mr, l.. found him and brought HIM tc the hou