Talk:Meriwether Lewis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

[edit] Talk

I might point out that the anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is going to increase the interest in this page. It could use a lot of work. Lewis was a fascinating character. -- ESP 20:50 16 Jul 2003 (UTC)

[edit] Lewis

Meriwether Lewis was a good man, if it wasn't for him the west probably wouldn't have been settled as quick as it was!

Man, is this article badly written!!!

I agree with both

I agree too. (Is this "talk" thing ever looked at)?

Yes, it is looked at. Please, signed your comments with four tildes (~). President Lethe 00:01, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Lewis suicide

I heard in my Social Studies class today that Lewis tried to commit suicide in the house of William Clark. He was shot only once in the head and survived for four days after the shot. Correct me if I'm wrong. If I'm right, correct the article. --71.112.94.131 01:40, 30 March 2006 (UTC)

According to this page, which is at a website accompanying a good documentary film about the Corps of Discovery, this happened on 11 October 1809: "Traveling east along the Natchez Trace in Tennessee, on his way from St. Louis to Washington, Lewis commits suicide at Grinder’s Stand, an inn south of Nashville. (Later, theories that he was murdered arise, but neither Clark nor Jefferson doubted the original, on-site reports that Lewis had shot himself. Few historians give credence to the the murder theory.)"
I've yet to find online a transcript of that documentary. But I remember that it includes an interview of a historian saying, of Lewis, "he shot himself". My recollection is that the shot took place in the middle of the night, that his dead body was found the next morning, and that the shot was into the heart.
President Lethe 00:07, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

thank you

[edit] Wow

I was expecting a huge page here. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest where Lewis & Clark are like demigods and the L&C historical markers are ubiquitous, I'm nonplussed. I wish this were my forte, but my dad's the real buff on Lewis & Clark. I would recommend the book "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen E. Ambrose for anyone interested in improving this page (or find a Junior High Washington State History textbook!). As to the suicide thing, it is unfortunate that it sometimes overshadows his accomplishments. But on the other hand, it is really great for awareness of mental illness. He was known to be "melancholic" and one account even has someone walking in one morning to find his arms slashed, though apparently self-inflicted. In light of cutting, this could be one of the earliest recorded examples, but don't quote me on that speculation. That he achieved so much in light of his condition, makes him inspiring, even if he wasn't able to overcome it in the end. Oh, and did anyone mention he was put on a commemorative stamp? And as an exercise of self-indulgence, I'll mention that the site where Vancouver, the city where I was born and raised, was to be started in 1825; was said by him to be "the only desired situation for settlement west of the Rocky Mountains." Not really important for this page at all, just thought I'd mention it... Khirad 09:32, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] comments:

I agree with the previous poster and I too would recommend the book "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen E. Ambrose. It is a very in depth look at Lewis in particular and covers many of the issues discussed here, including accounts of his suicide. This page should really be exapanded and should probably link to a discussion of great men (good and evil) and depression. DRS

I have read that Lewis died on both October 11th, and on October 8. Which one is right? PBS says the 8, but lots of others say both. It's split. I need to know 4 a paper I'm writing 4 school. Help!

Somebody told me that Lewis died being trampled by bison. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.218.177.249 (talk) 00:29, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] paul bunyan

Wait wait wait a minute ....this article lists Paul Bunyan as a descendant of Meriwether Lewis?? The mythic lumberjack of 19th century North America?? How did that get in there?

Most likely vandalism. LOOKIE MILK! (talk) 11:47, 4 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism

I have had it with all the vandalism on this page and wikipedia's lack of caring. See Wikipedia:Requests for page protection. I will no longer revert the page, I will now remove Lewis from my watch list. Aboutmovies 23:35, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] murder?

Isn't it pretty fringe to claim that Lewis was murdered? I'd always read that he committed suicide, and had assumed that this was pretty generally agreed upon. john k 08:18, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

If he was shot in the head and chest, its a good assumption to think he was murdered. Why he was murdered is another question. -Yancyfry

I disagree, I read that Lewis commited suicide. It is possible that Lewis may have tried to kill himself by shooting himself in the chest first, but shot himself in the head afterwards when he didn't die. And suicide was most likely because Lewis had been suffering severe depression. I think the "murder" idea was some cover up for Lewis's suicide. Think about it, Lewis was supposed to be a man we look up to, it's sort of degrading that he commited suicide.
Really it doesn't matter what our opinions are, an article should be written on fact, not on fiction. Just debating here will not get us anywhere. I just wanted to present some ideas. Burn N Flare 02:34, 24 July 2007 (UTC)



[edit] Parents Updated 12/3/2007

I updated the parents information regarding Meriwether Lewis. He was born to Captain William Lewis (1733 - 1781) and Lucy Meriwether (2/4/1751 - 9/18/1837). The artile had John Lewis as his Father which was incorrect.

As far as his death being ruled as a suicide, I am aware that the Lewis foundation requested that his body be exhumed for re-examination. I have not heard the results of this petition. - Michael of Mississippi.

While some of the lineage background is interesting, the final sentence seems unnecessary if not a little lacking in collegial tone: "Not only that, but he was a second cousin once removed of Washington's on his father's side." Is anyone opposed to striking this last sentence?Rdd98103 (talk) 06:28, 17 December 2007 (UTC)rdd98103

[edit] Left out information

There were things left out like he was in the army and all that.

Josephtan456 (talk) 17:16, 11 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Lewis's family

The "Legacy" heading says that Lewis had no family, buy the last paragraph of the biography says that Lewis's family believed that he was murdered (Or is it talking about Jefferson's family?) This should be either re-written or re-worded by some who knows the correct answer. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.61.91.22 (talk) 20:17, 22 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism

Lately,there has been lots of vandalism on this article, some written today by User:Ron Rizman. (Wikipedian1234 (talk) 23:17, 24 April 2008 (UTC))

I didn't intend to blank the page. That was done by an ip editor. I tried to unblank it but instead reverted cluebot. Twinkle screwed up --Ron Ritzman (talk) 23:33, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

OK, I understand--(Wikipedian1234 (talk) 00:29, 25 April 2008 (UTC))