The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-13
NcCULLOCH'S LEAP.

Since the purchase OF portion OF Inc
summit of Wheeling Hill, for short
distance south of the National road
by the enterprising and pushing young
firm of Parker Bros, and the re-selllng
of a section OF the same, on which Is
said to be the identical spot where the
daring Indian scout, and early settler,
Capt. J. McCulloch, eluded the redskins
nv ;umpine his horse over the cliff the
question has been asked, is it the exact
locality Some of the older inhabl-
tants differ in their opinions on this point
In conversation with all old lady, who
remembers as far back as 1920, she says
that the story had credence then; that
the leap was made from the rather prom
inent hillock Just north of the National
road where it crosses the hill and not al
the point now supposed. lu those days
when the forest Vi trees anu VIZ
tations of the hill resembled more nearly
their natural state at the time the un-
daunted McCulloch made the
successful dash for further
tenure of life; the people thought, not SO
much of the danger involved in the leap,
but of the quick presence of mind and
necessarily rapid execution ofthe Thought
that saved HIM from falling into the
hands Of the Indians and the renegade
Simon Girty, who it was said accom-
panied them. 1t was supposed that he
had been returning from some scouting
expedition and had been out on the tran
in the direction of where West Liberty
now stands, and was on his way back to
the Old Fort, which N those days
stood near where Mr.. Jerry Shepard
saddlcry store now is. At that time the
site was considered high ground, and
overlooked all the swampy land OF what
is now known as the Fourth ward, and
had a fine view of the river for miles
north and south, which made it altogeth'
err the best point to erect fertilization
As he was passing along toward the fort
near where Mt. Wood cemetery now
is, the savages suddenly spranS up before
him, brandishing their tomahawks and
whooping in the most approved style
10 think of the best means Of escape was
the work Of an instant. His experience
and knowledge of the Indian character
taught him that the devils were probably
ambushed in the rear. and to retrace his
track was equally as dangerous as to
stand still and be captured alive,
as they seemed anxious to do
for the purpose OF reserving him for
q worse fate than instant death.
The steep declivity was on his
left few yards away, so wheeling his
horse in that direction he suddenly made n
dash over the brow and down the hill,
where. in moment, he was lost to the
view of the bewildered and dumbiounG-
ed savagcs, by the thick brush closing
behind him. Once at the bottom OF the
hill, ne galloped along the foot of it and
around by the southern slope, to, per-
haps. where Fourteenth street now Is,
ard around up into the fort, apprising
the occupants of his narrow escape ard
warning them OF danger. The animal
which McCulloch rode, the story goes,
as soon rs he knew the dangerous test OF
sure footedness required Of him by his
master placed his fore feet together and
safely and rapidly slid down the steep
hill side. This was not considered mar
vellous, but rather remarkable, skilliuI
and dexterous feat of horsemanship.