Chief Leatherlips, SHA-TE-YAH-RON-YA, Dublin Ohio

The gravestone of Chief Leatherlips who was executed on June 1, 1810. Ohio had been a state only 7 years when Chief Leatherlips was executed. He was named Leatherlips by White Man because he never broke a promise. He was a good friend of whitemen. He was an important Wyandot Indian Chief. He signed The Treaty of Greenville which put an end to the Northwest Indian Wars after the Battle of Fallen Timbers in August of 1795.

This quote by William Sells: "O, Johnny my heart was touched by the taking away of that good Indiana. His word was as true as Gospel. He proved it by his actions. This certainly gives credence to his name. William Sells witnessed his execution and tried to stop it to no avail. There are several stories about how and why he was executed. Tecumseh's brother Tenskwatawa condemned him to death for giving away Indian Lands. He signed land over to The Whites in The Greenville Treaty. It is also recorded that when The Wyandots moved northward bad health and other negative things happened to them. Chief SHA-TE-YAH-RON-YA (Leatherlips), stayed behind in Ohio; the Dublin area rather than moving on with the tribe because he didn't want to leave his white friends. The tribe thought he'd brought them bad luck and that he practiced witch doctor tactics that caused them to have bad luck.

His own brother, Roundhead sent 6 warriers to carry out the death order of Tenskwatawa. He was, according to one account given an opportunity to move back with tribe which he denied. His executioners sang the death chant with him and then killed him with their tomahawks. Chief Leatherlips wore his finery for the occasion.

This plaque rests in a different location then the above gravestone of Chief Leatherlips. The gravestone is suppose to the area where he was executed. This plaque marks the last known hunting camp of Chief Leatherlips at 7377 Riverside Drive. This location is on the opposite side of the road and is south of the gravestone. Walk up the hill from the historical marker and you see this.

A interesting 12 foot tall Limestone likeness of Chief Leatherlips. The likeness even shows his long flowing hair which flows into the hillside. This monument was dedicated in July of 1990 by The Dublin Art Council. Walk up the hill beside the memorial for a birds eye view.

A great place to take the kids. They can pose where Stanley is and look down over Chief Leatherlips camp. At this point it's like you're on top of his head. As you look around the beautiful park you'll see The Scioto River. No doubt Chief fished and hunted for life game on it's shores. Re-create that with the kids and bring your fishing pole.

To the right of the large impressive monument is this wonderful outdoor theatre where summertime performance take place. Come spent the day, bring a picnic. Bathroom facilities are available, and several parking lots. This is free, please come and enjoy the scenery and reflect on the life of Chief Leatherlips.

Depending on the age of the kids you might not wish to dwell on how The Good Chief died; but you can still discuss how he helped The Whites in what was then very much a wilderness area. Fishing of course will help them remember the activity, even if you're doing the activity here on my blog vs being there in person...you can still go fishing. Make a tent on the close line, let the kids pretent their at camp. Build with clay, or blocks a likeness of someone they know, like a family member. Buy a piece of leather at the fabric store and let them make something with leather. As with all our activities pull in math, let them figure out how long things happened. Word puzzles never get old, make a hidden word puzzle. The important thing is have fun with it, and the kids will learn something along the way.

Don't forget to come back next Friday the 13th for Flat Stanley's next adventure. And when you come, bring an orange crayon!
If you've missed any of Stanley's adventures you can travel with him now:

• April 23, 2010 Books and Parks (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• April 30, 2010 Traitor or Hero (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 7, 2010 Flat Stanley and his friend Captain Pinney (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 14, 2010 First Flight and Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 21, 2010 Up The Indian Mound with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• May 28, 2010 Flat Stanley goes to Camp (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• May 31, 2010 Honoring Those who Served on Memorial Day (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• June 12, 2010 Signs and Flat Stanley, (Worthington, Ohio)
• June 18, 2010 Breathe Easy with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• June 25, 2010 Stanley at The Masonic Museum (Worthington, Ohio)
• July 2, 2010 Special 4th of July with Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)
• July 9, 2010 Free Seats Available, (Worthington, Ohio)
• July 16, 2010 Corn on The Cob and Flat Stanley (Dublin, Ohio)
• July 30, 2010 Bill Moose Crowfoot and Flat Stanley (Upper Arlington, Ohio)