Leatherlips Monument

This monument was erected in 1889 to honor Wyandot Chief Shateyaronyah a.k.a. Chief Leatherlips (b. 1747 d. 1810). It marks the site of his execution, June 1, 1810. Chief Leatherlips and another Wyandot Chief Tarhe were advocates for peace with the white settlers, and supporters of the 1795 Treaty of Greenville. Chief Leatherlips was viewed as an obstacle to the tribal alliances against white settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains organized by Shawnee warrior Tecumseh. As a result, another Wyandot Chief Roundhead from the area of Tippecanoe was sent with five warriors to carry out the execution of Chief Leatherlips. A mock trial was held, and then he was executed and buried on the spot.

Several white settlers in the area witnessed the execution of Chief Leatherlips, and one by the name of William Sells wrote an account of the event. This account was preserved and seventy seven years later read aloud by Colonel Sam Thompson to members of the Wyandot Club, a local fraternal organization. Following the address, the club formed a committee to procure a proper grave marker for the site of Chief Leatherlips' burial. The one acre tract of land where the Wyandot Chief was buried was purchased for the site of the monument. The inscription reads "Leatherlips A Chief of the Wyandot tribe of Indians was executed on this spot June 1, 1810. Erected by the Wyandot Club of Columbus, Ohio 1889."