McColloch's Leap Marker - Wheeling, West Virginia
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 40° 04.796 W 080° 43.331
17T E 523686 N 4436666
Relief honoring heroic actions of Army officer placed along the National Road in 1917 in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Waymark Code: WMK1QQ
Location: West Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 01/30/2014
Views: 2
On the crest of Wheeling Hill is the McCULLOCH'S LEAP MARKER, a tablet commemorating the feat of Major Samuel McCulloch, Indian scout and soldier, who, according to tradition, rode his horse down the precipitous 150-foot cliff into Wheeling Creek to escape a band of Indians. Leading reinforcements from his fort at Stone Creek to the aid of besieged Fort Henry, McCulloch was cut off from his company and forced to ride for his life to Fort Van Meter. When Indians blocked this avenue of escape, he took refuge on the summit of this hill. Confident that they had him cornered, the Indians closed in for the kill, but McCulloch spurred his horse over the cliff and a few minutes later rode safely from the creek. -West Virginia: A Guide to the Mountain State, 1941, pg. 519.
The marker place in 1917 is still located where indicated in the Guide. The marker is a bronze tablet with a relief of Major McCulloch on his horse as he goes over the cliff. The tablet is inscribed
McColloch's Leap
Major Samuel McColloch
Daring Scout Gallant Soldier
While Attempting The Relief Of
Fort Henry At Wheeling
September 1777
Escaped An Overwhelming Body Of Indians
By Forcing His Horse Over This Precipice
Erected By
The Society Of The Daughters Of The Revolution
In West Virginia
1917