Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-10-06
LETTER FROM Q. F .cLARKsoN.
NEwpURsH. LEWIS Co. TENN.
~ 80. SEPT. 10th, 1854.


B DEAR SrR:-We have now been
travelling in this State, on Railroad bu-
siness, for fifteen days, and have wit
messed scenes and incidents, enough TO
gil forty letters They are not con-
nected with the fashions and follies Of
cities-nor their crowded streets or
high brick walls; but we have spent
our time in the wild woods. in log cab
ins, learning the character and cas-
toms Of the people in low llle-orin 9TH
er words, seeing " Uacie Toms Cabin
as it's" And although the people of
this country live to little purpose-pro-
vide themselves with but few Of either
the luxuries or comforts Of life, yet
they are hospitable. open. and frank.
They have no taverns, yet they never
turn stranger from their doors
They have but little to eat, yet they
will divide it with any one. Their
houses are poor, small and but poorly
ventilated, yet if need be they will
give II all up TO accommodate a weary
Traveller, and betake themselves to the
stable for the nightS.repose.
We have several incidents taken
down, in our memorandum book which
We intend writing outfor you. or some
of your brother editors, but in our
wanderings to-day. an incident occur
red that impressed us SO deeply that
we cannot avoid giving it to your rea-
ders now. AS we were vending our
way through the solitary but beautiful
woods we came sud lenly and unwarn-
ed, upon a monument raised to the
memory of Merriweather Lewis, that
great and hardy pioneer, who, in CON-
pany with Clark made the perilous
voyage, in l803-'4-'5 and &c on foot
to Oregon. Here. in this wilderness
he was foully murdered, in hut, in
1900, on his return from Louisiana TO
Virginia. He was travelling with his
servant, and stopped at hut over
night, and was murdered IN his bed,
but the servant escaped. Alter all
his tolls and dangers. amid savage
tribes, he was finally killed for a pitt.
full sum of money and his horse. II
was supposed for some time that he
had killed himself, but Col. Clark has
thrown some light on this subject CIV
ing conclusive evidence that he was
murdered.
{ This monument was erected by the
Tennessee Legislature at cost .oI
$500. We have copied the inscrip'
ton entire, leaving the Latin portion
to be translated by cur learned men
and students. 1t is said to bea playa
rism taken from the tomb Of young
wife, and was represented to be one o.
her last prayers. The inscription is as
follows:
"MERRIWETHER LEWIS.
Born near Charlottesville, Va. Aug. IL
bra p = .v 1774.
DIED Ocr.l7, l8o9.-Aged 35years
An officer Of the regular Army
Private Secretary to President Jetfer'
sCn-Commander of the expedition tC
Oregon in 1903 to '6-Goyernor .
tbe Territory of Louisiana-His mel
ancholy death, occurred where this
monument now stands. and under which
now rest his mortal remains.
In the language Of Mr.. Jefferson
3i"His courage was undaunted; hl'
frmness and perseverance yielded tC
nothing but impossibllties; a rlg'c
disciplinarian, yet tender as fathei
to those committed to his charge; hon.
est, disinterested, liberal, with SOUND
understanding. and a scrupulous fdeli
ty to truth"
: Inn,afuras obi; sedtu Jeiieior amos,
-i Vipe neos, Bona Rspu5iieay Yive tuoss
Erected by the Legislature of Tenn.
A. d., 1845.
This monument is at least four miles
from any human habitation-the vir
gin forest is entirely undisturbed-nt
tree or shrub is cut, but is far from ths
noise and hustle of men, the owl Will
his mournful voice, and the wolf will
his fierce growl, alone disturbing the
silence Of the solitude. In some re-
spects this place is fitting one for the
rest of Lewis, the bold child of til,
! forest-and the daring frontier adven