18th August 1774, birth of American explorer, and soldier Meriwether Lewis, who alongside William Clark and Sacagawea as part of the Corp of Discovery would explore the territory of the Louisiana Purchase, and the Pacific Northwest. A further part of Lewis and Clark’s mission was also to collect scientific data, including furthering Thomas Jefferson’s interest in archeology and paleontology. Jefferson collected the bones of Mammoths and Mastodons, believing that they could still be living in the unknown west of the continent; Jefferson’s instructions to Lewis and Clark, and their search across the west of the United States, included locating bones, and searching for signs that these creatures still existed. On the 3rd September 1809, Lewis began the journey from New Orleans to Washington D.C. attempting to recuperate denied money that he claimed he was owed by the war Department, as at the time he was on the verge of ruinous debt. Writing his will before the journey, it is also claimed that while on the journey he attempted suicide, but was restained. On the night of October 10th, he stopped near Nashville, and was noted as behaving in a strange manner, talking to himself. During the night gunshots were heard, and Lewis was found with multiple gunshots, with one Nashville newspaper claiming a slashed throat. While is was generally assumed that Lewis has comitted suicide, many inacuracies remain in the case. In 1848 Lewis body was removed for analysis, the commission concluding "it seems to be more probable that he died by the hands of an assassin." The debate continues to this day. (Part Two continued in the comments) #lewisandclark #thursdaytales #lewisandclarktrail #thomasjefferson #mastadons #mammoth #meriweatherlewis #williamclark #sacagawea #discovery #manifestdestiny #americanhistory #ushistory #historymystery #historicalmystery #historicalmurder #murderhistory #benjaminrush #18thcentury #19thcentury #18thcenturystyle #19thcenturystyle #yellowfever #epidemic #plaguehistory #bloodletting #medicalhistory #historyofmedicine #strangehistory #weirdhistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CSwxlbfHYZn/?utm_medium=tumblr
