By His Own Hand?: The Mysterious Death of Meriwether Lewis

This book contains three superb essays, four if you count Clay Jenkinson's excellent introduction, about the mystery of Lewis' death on the Natchez Trail. For two centuries, most historians are comfortable that Lewis committed suicide due to depression, ill health (syphilis), alcoholism, financial problems, lack of support as governor /or a combination of all these problems. Vardis Fischer challenged this perception very well in his book in 1962; however, Guice and Holmberg today support Fischer's theory and keep the door open to the possibility of murder. The biggest issue centers on the lone known witness, Mrs. Grinder, who ran the modest lodging with her absent husband the night of the murder. Holmberg runs the course of the traditional view and tells well the circumstances that, in his view, clearly indicate that Lewis committed suicide. Guice and Holmberg bring up many fascinating issues particularly the inconsistent testimony of Mrs. Grinder. The most questionable statement from Mrs. Grinder is her testimony that although Lewis fired two 69-caliber horse pistols, these very loud shots failed to wake his two servants sleeping nearby, only waking Mrs. Grinder, thus she was the sole witness. The three primary authors also provide references to numerous historians who fall into their sphere of argument. One of which quotes a historian who the amusing comment that although he believed that Lewis committed suicide he also believed that Mrs. Grinder was "a nut" due to her inconsistent statements. The authors provide excellent background history about Lewis and his post discovery adventure and the conspiracy theorists bring up many relative points and motives for the possibility of murder. The book follows in the wake of the book, "The Death of Meriwether Lewis: A Historic Crime Scene Investigation", which was a modern inquest into Lewis' death and its conclusion urged the National Park Service to exhume the body of Lewis for further study. "By His own Hand" is much better book with disciplined essays and the authors get to the point in less than 170 total pages. There are many controversial facts brought out that are quite interesting although the most depressing is the report that Lewis' grave was dug so shallow that hogs may have uprooted and destroyed a major portion of his remains making an autopsy less relevant if true. Jenkinson makes a very salient point in his introduction that is fitting; it is difficult for the public to accept that a major hero may have committed suicide. The arguments are well done and educational but even after this publication, the mystery like Roanoke Island continues. The book contains excellent illustrations, copies of documents and reference materials such as an outline-listing historian with pro and con views over the past 200 years.

I became interested since the place where Lewis was murdered is not very many miles from my home. I have always been interested in American History. The idea that people actually thought Lewis committed suicide intrigued me. No one can shoot themselves two or three times. That is ridiculous that anyone would believe he committed suicide. But even Clark and President Jefferson believed it. They never came down here to investigate. Many in the Hoenwald area where Lewis was killed believed he was murdered and the the Grinder family were involved in the conspiracy and soon left the area. Lewis has relatives in my area, and that is of interest to me because I know one personally.

Con tent not what expected

I was disappointed because I expected more of a crime investigation and it turned out to be an academic study. That is probably as much my fault as the books.

I allways whated to read a book on this subject, this book was short and to the pooint. "Good Book"

It was a gift. They loved it.

Excellent book. Intriguing.

After looking at Dr. John Guice’s arguments against murder, in which he claims to have authoritative knowledge, it escapes me why he would be so sure of himself. He is certainly convinced by his own arguments against suicide, but his reasoning and supportive arguments against suicide are full of errors. The writing of James Holmberg in this book are much better.