Even with this disappointment, he kept looking for adventure. In 1794, at age 20, Meriwether enrolled as a private against the ‘Whiskey Rebellion.’ The Whiskey Rebellion was formed when Pennsylvania would not pay whiskey taxes. So, General Washington sent 12,000 soldiers, but the rebels surrendered at the mere sight of Washington.

Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774 in Albemarle County, Virginia. His family lived on a plantation on Locust Hill. His father was an army officer in the American Revolution, but died when Lewis was 5.

At age 18, his passion for adventure was sparked. Soon after Thomas Jefferson planned to fund an expedition to travel by boat to the Pacific Ocean. Sadly, Jefferson went with the experienced, Andre Michaux, who never made it passed Kentucky because he was mistaken as a spy.

In 1804, Jefferson made Lewis first in command on the famous “ Lewis and Clark Expedition.” When the explorers returned, Meriwether Lewis became Governor of Louisiana. He was also given 1,600 acres of land.

This made him extremely irritable. He could not stand doing nothing all day long. So, in 1809, he made 2 attempts of suicide. It finally worked on September 15, 1809, with shots to his head and chest.