Leaving the Anderson’ Soldiers Retreats, on 27 October, William was traveling through the Outer- Bluegrass Region in the direction of Frankfort along the corridor of today’s US 60. The first notation in Clark’s Journal, boy sick all last night, a bad cold, sat out at 12. The comment reflects on his never-ending concern for his family. This was a late start for William Clark but the day would be one of those days of “life defining moments” one never forgets. Fortunately, they traveled along a dry road, a road described as nearly impassable in wet weather during the early 1800s, especially in a carriage. (1) Their route would take them through Middletown, established in 1797, retraining its colonial charm even today. They spent the night at Mr. Smith, east of Simpsonville an d rated the house as good, $4.75. (2) The next day, 28 October, the Clark party stopped for lunch in Shelbyville, William purchased a copy of the Argus of Western America newspaper (3) in which William Clark learns for the first time that Meriwether Lewis is dead. That evening from John Shannon’s Tavern near Peytona (US 60 & KY 395), William wrote to Jonathan the letter, referred to by historians as the I fear O! I Fear Letter , in which William told Jonathan that he has learned of Meriwether Lewis death. (4) After expressing his concern for the truth of the story of Lewis’ death, he asked Jonathan to send him all the letters he had received at Jonathan’s home. That request would have included the letter written by Lewis from New Madrid. The letter is believed to revealed information on the state of Lewis’ health. Those letters were received by William, acknowledging receipt in his letter to Jonathan on 12 January 1810 from Washington D.C. (5) From the letter at Shannon’s on 28 October 1809, we see William Clark’s emotional state of mind and his immediate understanding that he must secure the documents carried by Lewis, including the Western Exploration Journals, and Lewis’ financial documents. Clark is clearly determining what needs to be done and how to do it. He will adjust his TO DO LIST as he receives additional information over the next several weeks but his focus is on his family and securing Lewis’ documents and the Exploration Journals. His action clearly reflects his life time of rational thinking. William finished the letter with a description of the room, people and where they were sleeping that evening. Shannon’s Tavern did not get a high rating for the $3.25 paid for the night’s lodging. Courtesy of Lewis and Clark Trust
Sources
(1) Clark, Thomas, A History of Kentucky, page 182.
(2) Holmberg, James, Dear Brother: Letters of William Clark to Jonathan Clark, Yale University Press. 2002, page 216.
(3) Ibid, page 216.
(4) Ibid, page 218.
(5) Ibid, page 233, & 234 Note 1.