Near Minnora in Calhoun County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Grave of Mike Fink
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 14, 2019
1. Grave of Mike Fink Marker
One mile west in the low gap are the graves of Mike Fink and an Indian, slain in 1780, and buried where they fell. While hunting, Fink and Adam OBrien were fired on by two Indians; Fink shot one and was killed by the other.
Erected 1963 by West Virginia Historic Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.
Location. 38° 42.856′ N, 81° 6.34′ W. Marker is near Minnora, West Virginia, in Calhoun County. It is at the intersection of Calhoun Highway (West Virginia Route 16) and Milo Road (Local Route 13), on the right when traveling south on Calhoun Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orma WV 25268, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Little Kanawha Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clay County / Calhoun County (approx. 5.7 miles away); Moccasin Rangers (approx. 5.8 miles away); Perry Hays & George Silcott / Louisa Hays & Amie Silcott (approx. 5.9 miles away); Arnoldsburg Skirmish
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Mike Fink Still Resting Along Milo Road. 2019 article by Bob Weaver in The Hur Herald. Excerpt:
It is one of Calhoun's great legends, the death of wandering adventurer Fink, a comrade of Adam O'Brien, who died on the same spot with his Indian foe.(Submitted on August 17, 2019.)
2. No Moss Growing on Adam OBrien. 2018 article by Bob Weaver in The Hur Herald. Contains a photograph of Mike Fink and the unknown Indians gravestone. Excerpt:
OBrien was a character in an often told legend about his fellow traveler Mike Fink, who died in personal combat with an Indian on the head of Fink Fork of Beech, not far from Minnora. The incident began while O'Brien and Fink were watching a salt lick along a trail about 1780.(Submitted on August 17, 2019.)
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 14, 2019
2. Grave of Mike Fink Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,040 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
