Confirmation that Governor Lewis is Dead

Clark’s 1809 Journal, 29 October, sat out early after breakfast for Frankfort (KY) and met Mr. (Dennis) Fitzhugh, who confirmed the death of Governor Lewis. Dennis Fitzhugh was William Clark’s brother-in-law and a trusted friend. The letter written by William on 30 October, Lexington, KY, clearly describes his situation. We arrived here this evening all in the Same State of health we were when we parted with you, but not in the Same State of mind. ⁽¹⁾ William Clark clearly expressed his and no doubt Julia’s, shock at learning of the death of Meriwether Lewis.

Captain Daniel Weisinger III

Marker Number 2299

Location:

Main and Ann Street, Frankfort, KY

Capt. Daniel Weisiger III, 1763-1829- Early Frankfort merchant, farmer, county clerk, city trustee, first postmaster, and host of Weisiger House, 1st Master of Hiram Masonic Lodge. He married Lucy Price and fathered 10 children, including Dr. Joseph Weisiger, first white male born in Frankfort. Grandfather of 3 Civil War generals.

Reverse Description:

Weisiger House, “at the Sign of the Golden Eagle”- Tunstall’s Tavern was enlarged to become Weisiger House, ca. 1790s. Social & political gathering place in Frankfort. On May 9, 1825, a grand ball was held to honor Gen. Lafayette. After Daniel’s death, Lucy managed inn & stage stop for over a decade. City bought it in 1852 & built Capital Hotel here.

Dedicated August 7, 2009.

In Frankfort the Clark’s dined and saw Mr. Allen ⁽²⁾ Hardin ⁽³⁾ Bibb ⁽⁴⁾ Trigg ⁽⁵⁾ and Governors Scott ⁽⁶⁾ and Greenup. ⁽⁷⁾ This was a significant group of Kentucky political leaders to see at one location. The meal and meeting most likely occurred at Capt. Daniel Weisinger’s Inn and Tavern. The inn, at Main and Ann Street, was near the Capitol, today’s “Old Capitol”. In addition to the rooming and dining facilities, the tavern was a place to discuss politics, making it akin to the Willard Hotel in Washington D. C. where the term “lobby” was “coined”. Like the Willard, the Weisinger Inn had its own share of political intrigues, that included Gen. James Wilkinson and the Burr conspiracy.

Kentucky Capitol in 1809, today’s “Old Capitol”

Dailey’s Tavern- later Offutt-Cole Tavern

Leaving Frankfort, the Clark’s proceeded to Daley’s via the old Frankfort Pike (KY-1681) and stayed all night. Today, “Daleys” is referred to as the Offutt-Cole Tavern and is owned by the Woodford County Historical Society. ⁽⁸⁾ The historical structure is at the intersection of the Old Frankfort Pike (KY 1681) and U S 62 and two miles from picturesque Midway. ⁽⁹⁾

The Clark Family was spending the evening less than 12 miles from the home and birth place of Matthew Harris Jouett, the future painter of General George Rogers Clark and Thomas Jefferson. The Jouett painting of George Rogers Clark is counted as one of the best likenesses of the “Hannibal of the West”. Today the original painting can be seen at the Filson Historical Society and a print at Historic Locust Grove, both in Louisville, KY. ⁽¹⁰⁾

After the purchase of a quart of whiskey at Lusk Ferry on the KY side of the Ohio River no further notation is made of whiskey. However, the Clark party has been traveling through the future Bourbon Capital of the World for several days. ⁽¹¹⁾