xt74qr4nkf6d https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt74qr4nkf6d/data/mets.xml Still, William, 1821-1902. 1872  books b92e450s8518722009 English Porter & Coates : Philadelphia, Pa. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Underground railroad. Fugitive slaves --United States. Slavery --United States --Anti-slavery movements. The underground rail road. A record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hair-breadth escapes and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom, as related by themselves and others, or witnessed by the author;together with sketches of some of the largest stockholders, and most liberal aiders and advisers, of the road. text The underground rail road. A record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hair-breadth escapes and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom, as related by themselves and others, or witnessed by the author;together with sketches of some of the largest stockholders, and most liberal aiders and advisers, of the road. 1872 2009 true xt74qr4nkf6d section xt74qr4nkf6d 
  
  
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY of KENTUCKY

  
  
  
  
  
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THE

UNDERGROUND RAIL ROAD.
A RECORD
or

F ACTS, A UTHENTIC N ARRATIVES, LETTERS, & c ,
N arrating t he H ardships, nair-hreadth Escapes, and Death Struggles
OF THE

Slaves i n t heir Efforts f or F reedom,
AS RELATED

BT

THEMSELVES

A U D OTHERS,

O E "WITNESSED
WITII

B YTHE

AUTHOR;

TOGETHER

S K E T C H E S O FS O M E O FT H E L A R G E S T S T O C K H O L D E R S , A N D MOST LIBERAL AIDERS A N D ADVISERS, OF T H E ROAD.

BY

W I L L I A M S TILL,
F or many years connected w ith the A nti-Slavery Office In P hiladelphia, and Chairman of the A cting Vigilant Committee of the Philadelphia Branch of the Underground Rail Road.
I L L U S T R A T E D W I T H 70 F I N E E N G R A V I N G S B Y B E N S E L L , S C H E L L A N D OTHERS,

AND PORTRAITS PROM PHOTOGRAPHS PROM L I F E .

SOLD
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ONLY

BY

SUBSCRIPTION.
$4 5 0 5 00 5 50 6 50

B o u n d i n F i n e E n g l i s h C l o t h , e x t r a , gilt P a n e l e d S t y l e , f u l l gilt Sheep, L i b r a r y Style Half T u r k e y Morocco,

-

PHILADELPHIA:

PORTER

& COATES,
No. 822 CHESTNUT

PUBLISHERS,
STREET.

  
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT IT.
A t t h e c l o s i n g m e e t i n g o f the P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N T I S L A V E R Y S O C I E T Y , h e l d i n P h i l a d e l p h i a , . M a y 5, 1870, the folic w i n g was u n a n i m o u s l y p a s s e d : Whereas, T h e p o s i t i o n o f W I L L I A M S T I L L i n the V i g i l a n c e C o m m i t t e e c o n n e c t e d w i t h the " U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D , " a s its C o r r e s p o n d i n g S e c r e t a r y , a n d C h a i r m a n o f its A c t i v e S u b - C o m m i t t e e , g a v e h i m p e c u l i a r f acilities f or c o l l e c t i n g i n t e r e s t i n g tacts p e r t a i n i n g to t h i s b r a n c h o f the a n t i - s l a v e r y s e r v i c e ; t h e r e f o r e , Xesolved, T h a t t h e P E N N S Y L V A N I A ANTI-SLAVERY S O C I E T Y r equests h i m to c o m p i l e a n d p u b l i s h h i s p e r s o n a l r e m i n i s c e n c e s a n d e x p e r i e n c e s r e l a t i n g to the
"UNDERGROUND RAILROAD."

A n d a g a i n , In a l e t t e r to t h e s a m e p a p e r o f N o v . 11, 1 871, M r . F o r n e y s a y s : * * * * * " A c o i n c i d e n c e e v e n m o r e r o m a n t i c is s o o n to be r e v e a l e d i n the p ages o f t h e remarkable book of W m . Still, of P h i l a d e l p h i a , entitled ' T H E U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D , ' r e f e r r e d to i n m y l a s t . M r . S t i l l k e p t a c a r e f u l m e m o r a n d u m o f the s u f f e r i n g s a n d trials o f L i s r a c e d u r i n g the e x i s t e n c e o f t h e ' F u g i t i v e S l a v e L a w , ' i n the b e l i e f t h a t t h e y w o u l d be i n s t r u c t i v e to his posterity, rather than f r o m a n y hope of the overthrow o f the r e v o l t i n g s y s t e m o f h u m a n s e r v i t u d e **** h e r e s o l v e d to s p r e a d before the w o r l d t h i s unprecedented e x p e r i e n c e . W h e n h i s b o o k a p p e a r s , i t w i l l a c c o m p l i s h m o r e t h a n o n e object. I n t e r e s t i n g to t h e l i t e r a r y w o r l d , i t w i l l u n d o u b t e d l y f a c i l i t a t e the r e u n i o n o f o t h e r c o l o r e d f a m i l i e s l o n g d i v i d e d , l o n g s o u g h t for, a n d perh a p s to this d a y s t r a n g e r s to e a c h o t h e r . ***** T h e v o l u m e c o n t a i n i n g this a n d other equally romantic y e t t r u t h f u l s t o r i e s w i l l s o o n be out, a n d , my word for it, no book of the times will be more eagerly read or more profitably remembered." T h e S a n F r a n c i s c o Elevator, o f J a n u a r y 5, 1872, said     * * *    " M r . S t i l l Is o n e o f t h e p i o n e e r s o f ' T H E U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D ' i n P h i l a d e l p h i a , w h e r e he s t i l l r esides. H e h a s a i d e d m o r e s l a v e s to e s c a p e than a n y o t h e r m a n , B i s h o p L o u g a n , o f S y r a c u s e , perhaps excepted. * * * * * W e hope his book will have a w i d e c i r c u l a t i o n , as it w i l l b e a v a l u a b l e a d d i t i o n to the h i s t o r y o f the a n t i - s l a v e r y s t r u g g l e suc?i as no other man can write."

H O N . J O H N W . F O R N E Y , i n a letter to t h e W a s h i n g t o n Sunday Chronicle, o f N o v . 1 , 1 8 7 1 , s a i d : " S l a v e r y a n d its m y s t e r i o u s Inner life has n e v e r y e t b e e n d e s c r i b e d . W h e n it is, R e a l i t y w i l l s u r p a s s F i c tion. U n c l e T o m ' s C a b i n w i l l be r e b u i l t a n d n e w l y garnitured. A b o o k , d e t a i l i n g t h e o p e r a t i o n s o f the ^ U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D , ' i s s o o n to be p u b l i s h e d i n P h i l a d e l p h i a , by W M . S T I L L , E s q . , an intelligent colore d g e n t l e m a n , w h i c h , c o m p o s e d e n t i r e l y o f facts, w i l l s u p p l y m a t e r i a l for i n d e f i n i t e d    a m a s a n d r o m a n c e s . I t w i l l d isclose a r e c o r d o f u n p a r a l l e l e d c o u r a g e a n d s u f f e r i n g f o r the r i g h t . " * * * *

ENDORSEMENTS OF PROMINENT
W A S H I N G T O N , M i i r c h 1 , 1872. Bear Sir:   Your bonk will certainly be an extremely interesting one. Ko one probably has had equal opportunities with yourself of listening to the narratives of fugitive slaves. No one will repeat them more truthfully, and no stories can be more fraught with interest than theirs. Let u s r e j o i c e , t h a t , In o u r c o u n t r y , s u c h n a r r a t i v e s c a n n e v e r be h e a r d a g a i n . Yours truly,
8. P. CHASE,

MEN.
1

S E N A T E C H A M B E R , M a r c h 2d, 1872. My Bear Mr. Still:   1 h a v e g l a n c e d o v e r a few pages o f y o u r H i s t o r y o f t h e U n d e r g r o u n d R a i l r o a d , and 1 most earnestly commend it. Y o u h a v e d o n e a good w o r k . T h i s s t o r y o f t h e h e r o i c c o n d u c t o f f u g i t i v e of o p p r e s s i o n , a n d o f t h e d e v o t i o n o f t h e i r f r i e n d s , w i l l bo r e a d W ith deep i n t e r e s t , e s p e c i a l l y b y t h e o l d friends ol t he s l a v e i n t h e s t e r n s t r u g g l e t h r o u g h w h i c h w e have p assed. I h o p e y o u r l a b o r s w i l l b e r e w a r d e d b y a grateful p u b l i c . Yours truly,
HENRY WILSON,

Cliief Justice
Ms. WILLIAM STILL.

V. S. Supreme

Court.

U. S. Senator from S E N A T E C H A M B E R , 3(1 M a r c h , 1672. My Bear Sir;   The U n d e r g r o u n d R a i l r o a d has perf o r m e d its p a r t , but It m u s t a l w a y s be r e m e m b e r e d g r a t e f u l l y , as o n e o f the p e c u l i a r i n s t i t u t i o n s o f o u r c o u n t r y . I cannot t h i n k of it without a throbbing heart. Y o u d o w e l l to c o m m e m o r a t e t hose a ssociated w i t h It b y s e r v i c e o r b y benefit   the s a v i o r s a n d the s a v e d . T h e a r m y o f the l a t e w a r has h a d its " R o l l o f H o n o r . " Y o u w i l l g i v e us t w o o t h e r r o l l s , w o r t h y o f e q u a l h o n o r     the r o l l of fugitives f r o m slavery, helped on their w a y t o f r e e d o m , a n d a l s o the r o l l o f t h e i r s e l f - s a c r i f i c i n g benefactors. I a l w a y s hesitated w h i c h to h o n o r m o s t , t h e f u g i t i v e s l a v e o r the c i t i z e n w h o h e l p e d h i m , i n defiance of unjust l a w s . Y o u r b o o k w i l l t each us to h o n o r both. A c c e p t m y b est w tBhes, a n d b e l i e v e m e , m y d e a r s i r , V e r y faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUMNER,

Massachusetts.

W A S H I N G T O N , M a r c h 2, 1872. Bear Sir:   Having b e e n i n f o r m e d b y y o u t h a t yon i n t e n d t o p u b l i s h a w o r k o n t h e s t r u g g l e s for personal f r e e d o m p r e v i o u s to the a b o l i t i o n o f s l a v e r y . l t gives me p l e a s u r e to s a y t h a t I h a v e n o d o u b t y o u c a n m a k e tlie n a r r a t i v e a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g c o n t r i b u t i o n to the history o f a n i m p o r t a n t p e r i o d o f o u r n a t i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t . It w i l l b e c a l c u l a t e d to s t r e n g t h e n i n t h e w h o l e A m e r i c a n p e o p l e a just s e n s e o f t h e b e n e f i c e n t r e s u l t s o f the great s o c i a l r e v o l u t i o n w e h a v e a c h i e v e d , a n d to Inspire the p e o p l e o f y o u r o w n r a c e w i t h a h i g h a p p r e c i a t i o n o f the b lessings o f l i b e r t y t h e y n o w e n j o y . T r u l y yours, C. SCHURZ, Missouri.

U. S. Senator from
W. STILL, ESQ.

U. & Senator from

Massachusetts.

  
3
NEW Y O R K , F e b . 22, 1872.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 1872.

Dear Sir:   For most of the years I h a v e l i v e d , the e scape o f f u g i t i v e s f r o m s l a v e r y , a n d t h e i r efforts to b affle t h e h u m a n a n d o t h e r b l o o d h o u n d s w h o t r a c k e d t h e m , f o r m e d the r o m a n c e o f A m e r i c a n H i s t o r y . T h a t r o m a n c e is n o w e n d e d , a n d o u r g r a n d c h i l d r e n w i l l h a r d l y b e l i e v e Its l e a d i n g i n c i d e n t s e x c e p t o n irresistible testimony. I r ejoice t h a t y o u a r e c o l l e c t i n g a n d p r e s e n t i n g that testimony, a n d h e a r t i l y w i s h y o u a g r e a t s u c c e s s . Yours, HORACE GREELEY.
MR. WM. STILL.

W M . S T I L L , E S Q . , Dear Sir:   You have m y thanks f or t h e p r i v i l e g e o f g l a n c i n g o v e r the p ages o f t h e r e c o r d of the U n d e r g r o u n d R a i l r o a d . I regret that the dem a n d s o f p u b l i c d u t y p r e v e n t m e f r o m r e a d i n g It c o n nectedly. T h e s t o r l e s y o u tell with a d m i r a b l e s i m p l i c i t y a n d d i r e c t n e s s o f the s u f f e r i n g h e r o i c a l l y e n d u r e d b y such n u m b e r s of poor fugitives, w i l l instruct a n d i n s p i r e m a n y w h o h a v e r e g a r d e d t h e A m e r i c a n s l a v e as a member of an inferior race. Yours, very truly,
WM. D. KELLEY

Congressman
AMESBUBY, 10th 3d mo., 1872.

from

Pennsylvania,

I h a v e l o o k e d o v e r the a d v a n c e s heets o f m y f r i e n d W i l l i a m Still's H i s t o r y of the " U n d e r g r o u n d R a i l r o a d , " a n d j u d g e , f r o m a h a s t y e x a m i n a t i o n , t h a t h e has d o n e j ustice to h i s d e e p l y i n t e r e s t i n g subject. T h e story of t he escaped f u g i t i v e s     t h e p e r i l s , t h e t e r r o r s o f p u r s u i t a n d r e c a p t u r e     t h e s h r e w d n e s s w h i c h baffled the h u m a n b l o o d - h o u n d s     t h e u n t i r i n g zeal a n d d e v o t i o n o f t h e f r i e n d s o f tiie s l a v e In t h e free S t a t e s , a r e w e l l d e s c r i b e d . The book is more Interesting than any romance. It w i l l b e o f p e r m a n e n t v a l u e to the h i s t o r i a n o f the c o u n t r y , d u r i n g the a n t i - s l a v e r y s t r u g g l e . I cheerfully commend it to the public favor. JOHN G. WHITTIER.

O fJice " T H E P R E S S . "

Philadelphia,Pa.

W A S H I N G T O N , 2 9th F e b . , 1872. W M . S T I L L , E S Q . , Dear Sir:   You w i l l please accept m y t h a n k s for the o p p o r t u n i t y g i v e n m e to e x a m i n e t h e a d v a n c e s heets o f y o u r r e c o r d o f t h e s t r u g g l e for freed o m by t h e s l a v e a n d h i s f r i e n d s . I t w i l l d oubtless be a w o r k o f g r e a t Interest to m a n y of our citizens. V e r y truly yours,
JNO. A. BINGHAM.

My Dear Sir:   I h a v e r e a d m o s t o f t h e p r o o f s heets of y o u r f o r t h c o m i n g book, entitled " T H E U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D . " a n d h a v e just e x a m i n e d the lett e r p r e s s p r e p a r a t o r y to its p u b l i c a t i o n , a n d the a c c o m p a n y i n g engravings, a n d I cannot refrain from stating, t h a t I b e l i e v e ft to be a c o n s u m m a t e w o r k o f Its k i n d . I ts c h i e f m e r i t , o f c o u r s e , c o n s i s t s In Its extraordinary revelations o f the Injustice a n d c r u e l t y o f t h e d e a d s y s t e m o f s l a v e r y , b u t It is g r a t i f y i n g to n o t i c e t h a t it w i l l b e p r i n t e d a n d s e n t f o r t h to t h e w o r l d In so c o m p l e t e a n d a d m i r a b l e a s t y l e . Icommend it most cheerfully as a book that every citizen should have in his library. V e r y truly, yours, J. W . FORNEY.
WM. STILL, Esq.

I Join v e r y c o r d i a l l y in the preceding statement recommendation. HON.
(Ex-Mayor

and

MORTON

McMICHAEL,
and

Congressman from
WASHINGTON, D. C , Feb. 29,

Ohio.
1872.

oj Phila., Editor of (he i f . A . if U. S. Gazette, Pre* t of the " Virion. League" of Phila.)

M R . W M . S T I L L , Dear Sir:-   You c o u l d not p r e p a r e a w o r k t h a t w o u l d a f f o r d m o r e I n s t r u c t i o n a n d Interest t o m e t h a n a d e t a i l e d h i s t o r y o f the o p e r a t i o n s o f t h e so c a l l e d " U n d e r g r o u n d R a i l r o a d . " lam delighted a t t h e c a s u a l e x a m i n a t i o n I h a v e been p e r m i t t e d to g i v e the p r o o f , a n d t h i n k t h o u s a n d s w i l l r i s e u p to c a l l y o u b lessed for y o u r f a i t h f u l r e c o r d o f o u r " l e g a l i z e d c r i m e , " a n d i ts g r a p h i c t e r r i b l e c o n s e q u e n c e s set f o r t h b y y o u i n such true pictures and plain words. I s h a l l w a t c h for the p u b l i c a t i o n of y o u r w o r k w i t h no o r d i n a r y interest Yours truly,
O. O. H O W A R D , '

I most c o r d i a l l y unite with C o l . F o r n e y a n d other g e n t l e m e n i n r e c o m m e n d i n g to t h e p u b l i c M r . S t i l l ' s w o r k , entitled " T H E U N D E R G R O U N D RAILROAD." T h e t h r i l l i n g n a r r a t i v e s c a n n o t be r e a d , e v e n at t h i s d a y , w i t h o u t e x c i t i n g the deepest e m o t i o n . GEO. H. STUART.

F r o m a v e r y hurried examination, I should Judge t h a t t h e w o r k o f M r . S t i l l i s o n e o f unusual interest. I c o n c u r w i t h t h e a b o v e In r e c o m m e n d i n g it to t h e p u b l i c . HERRICK JOHNSON, D . D .

Brig.

Gen,

U. S. A.,

Commissioner

Preedman's

Jiureau.

B O S T O N , M a r c h 1, 1S72. D E A R M R . S T I L L :     I congratulate y o u that, after m u c h patient research, careful preparation, a n d untiring labor, you h a v e completed y o u r v o l u m i n o u s w o r k o n " T h e U n d e r g r o u n d R a i l r o a d , " so t h a t its p u b l i c a t i o n m a y be l o o k e d for s p e e d i l y . T h o u g h I h a v e h a d n o o p p o r t u n i t y t o see e v e n a s i n g l e p r o o f - s h e e t , n o r a n y p o r t i o n o f the m a n u s c r i p t , I feel n o h e s i t a n c y In s a y i n g i n advance, from m y personal acquaintance with y o u , a n d m y k n o w l e d g e o f y o u r p e c u l i a r q u a l i f i c a t i o n s for the g r e a t t a s k , t h a t I a m s u r e y o u r w o r k w i l l b e f o u n d to be one of absorbing interest, worthy of the widest patronage, and historically valuable as pertaining to the tremendous struggle for the abolition of chattel slavery in our land. 2fo phase of that struggle was so crowded with thrilling incidents, heroic adventures, and self-sacrificing efforts as the one you have undertaken to portray, and with which you were so closely connected, to wit: "The Underground Kullroad." W h i t e it w i l l b e c o n t e m p l a t e d w i t h s h a m e , sadness, a n d astonishment, b y posterity, it w i l l s e r v e v i v i d l y to i l l u s t r a t e t h e p e r i l s w h i c h e v e r y w h e r e c o n fronted the fugitives f r o m the S o u t h e r n " h o u s e of b o n d a g e " a n d to w h i c h t hose w h o d a r e d to g i v e t h e m food a n d shelter were also subjected. T h a n k s b e to G o d t h a t " the s u m o f a l l v l l l a n l e s " is b l o t t e d o u t , a n d t h a t In a l l o u r b r o a d l a n d t h e r e e x i s t s not a slave-master, slave-hunter, nor fugitive f r o m slavery,! W i s h i n g y o u t h e l a r g e s t success, I r e m a i n , Yours, with much WM. respect, GARRISON. LLOYD I f u l l y a n d h e a r t i l y c o n c u r In t h e o p i n i o n oT C o l . F o r n e y respecting M r . Still's w o r k , entitled " T H E
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD."

HON.

CHAS.

GIBBONS.

T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n wilt be a valuable addition t o r y o f the s t r u g g l e s f o r H u m a n F r e e d o m . *J. G I L L I N G H A M (Late Pres't " Union League"

to the H i s -

FELL. of Phila.)

M r . S t i l l ' s w o r k a p p e a r s to m e to be o n e o f great interest, and I most heartily unite in recommending it to the public attention, H O N . H E N R Y C. C A R E Y " .

I a m h a p p y to find t h a t m a t e r i a l for t h i s I n t e r e s t i n g w o r k exists. I h a d feared t h a t m u c h w h i c h w i l l be h e r e r e c o r d e d , w o u l d p e r i s h w i t h the b r a v e a n d w o r t h y m e n w h o w e r e p e r s o n a l l y Interested. T h e s e v e r i t i e s o f history contain the interest of r o m a n c e , a n d our c h i l dren's children will read t h e m with wonder a n d a d m i ration. J. W H E A T O N S M I T H ,D . D .

  
4 H a v i n g b een d u r i n g m a n y y e a r s , a s s o c i a t e d w i t h W i l l i a m S t i l l , i n l a b o r i n g for t h e a b o l i t i o n o f A m e r i c a n s l a v e r y , we h e a r t i l y b e a r o u r t e s t i m o n y to h i s abundant o p p o r t u n i t i e s for a c q u i r i n g i n f o r m a t i o n r e l a t i v e - t o the s ubject o f this book ; a n d to h i s v i g i l a n c e a n d f i d e l i t y in a l l t he d e p a r t m e n t s o f a n t i - s l a v e r y w o r k In w h i c h he w as e n g a g e d , a n d e s p e c i a l l y i n t h a t d e p a r t m e n t usually called " T H E U N D E R G R O U N D RAILROAD." W e g l a d l y a v a i l o u r s e l v e s o f t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y to e x p r e s s o u r c o n f i d e n c e i n h i s a b i l i t y to p r e s e n t to the p u b l i c a n a u t h e n t i c a n d i n t e r e s t i n g h i s t o r y o f t h i s enterprize. LUCRETIA MOTT, .7. M I L L E R J I c K I M , ROBERT PURVIS, MARY GREW, K. M . DAVIS, SARAH PUGn, DILLWYN PARRISH, JOSHUA L. H A L L O W E L L . H E N R Y M . L A I NO, MARGARET J. BURLEIGH, EDWARD HOPPER, CHARLES WISE. JOHN LONGSTRETH, J. K. W I L D M A N , JAMES A . WRIGHT,

I t h i n k this p u b l i c a t i o n a t i m e l y o n e ; a n d do n o t d o u b t , f r o m its a u t h o r ' s i n t i m a t e a c q u a i n t a n c e w i t h the f acts o f w h i c h he s p e a k s , that It is i n t e r e s t i n g a n d v a l u F R A N C I S R. COPE.

I f u l l y a n d c h e e r f u l l y c o n c u r w i t h the o p i n i o n s o f o u r m u t u a l f r i e n d , C o l . F o r n e y ; a n d trust that the success o f M r . S t i l l ' s ** U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D " m a y be bey o n d his most sanguine expectations. CHAS. E. WARBURTON, Pub. "Evening Telegraph" (Phila.)

P H I L A D E L P H I A , F e b . 22,1372.
WILLIAM STILL, ESQ.

My Dear Sir;   The a d v a n c e s heets o f y o u r b o o k " T H E U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D , " h a v e interested m e g r e a t l y a n d they fully confirm my expectations concerning it, a s.a l i t e r a r y p r o d u c t i o n a n d a c o n t r i b u t i o n to the h i s t o r y o f o u r c o u n t r y d u r i n g the d a r k days o f s l a v e r y . Y o u h a v e s o l o n g a n d so w e l l l a b o r e d i n b e h a l f o f the sufferers o f y o u r r a c e that I h a v e a l w a y s felt that y o u were the best m a n to w r i t e the s t o r v o f the " U n d e r g r o u n d R a i l r o a d . " * * * * T h e numerous illustrations and portraitsadd g r e a t l y to Its v a l u e . * * * * I c o n g r a t u l a t e y o u o n h a v i n g p r o d u c e d a w o r k w h i c h will be looked upon with pride by your fellow-citizens of Philadelphia. I a m , v e r y respectfully, your friend,
GIBSON PEACOCK

WILLIAM

STILL, ESQ.

P H I L A D E L P H I A , F e b . 24,1S72

(Editor-in-chief

of

11

DAILY EV'NO BULLETIN,"

Phila.)

P H I L A D E L P H I A , F e b . 23,1372. H a v i n g r e a d this r e c o r d o f " T H E U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D , " I c a n o n l y say that It is a w o r k o f extraordinary interest and of great value as a n i l l u s t r a t i o n o f the t e r r i b l e d e s p o t i s m , w h i c h a little w h i l e a g o r e i g n e d o v e r Us a l l , a u d w h i c h is n o w ( t h a n k h e a v e n \) n o m o r e . WM. H . F U R N ESS, D.D.

Dear Sir:   I h a v e been d e e p l y i n t e r e s t e d In y o u r new w o r k on " T H E U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D . " T h e narr a t i v e s It c o n t a i n s r e a d m o r e l i k e r o m a n c e t h a n reality a n d i t twill he d i l h c u l t for f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s to realize s u c h t h i n g s c o u l d o c c u r u n d e r a f r e e g o v e r n m e n t ; bm t h o s e w h o h a v e a i d e d In the e s c a p e o f t h e p o o r fugitive f r o m s l a v e r y , a n d a r e c o n v e r s a n t w i t h t h e facts, mus; r ejoice t h a t one so c o m p e t e n t as y o u r s e l f ( a n d w i t h your l o n g e x p e r i e n c e as C h a i r m a n o f t h e V i g i l a n c e Committee,) h a s p u t t h e s e t h r i l l i n g I n s t a n c e s o n r e c o r d . V e r y truly yours, R O B E R T R. CORSON,
(Late Colonel of Volunteers and Corretpojiding SecrctMn ofPcnna. I'reedman'a Aid Union and Commission.)

* * * * O n e of its greatest v a l u e s is its t r u t h . Ko other work of the kind has ever been published, a n d p r o b a b l y no o n e hut y o u r s e l f p r e s e r v e d so m u c h m a t e r i a l for s u c h a t h r i l l i n g n a r r a t i v e . It is l i k e l y to r e m a i n the only histm-y o f one o f the m o s t e x c i t i n g periods o f o u r N a t i o n a l e x i s t e n c e . It w i l l b e to Fact, w h a t M r s . S t o w e ' s " U n c l e T o m ' s C a b i n " was to Fiction, a n d I c o n s i d e r it a n invaluable c o n t r i b u t i o n to A n t i - S l a v e r y L i t e r a t u r e . Yours very truly,
JOHN
{Editor-in-chief

* * * * I h a v e b e e n e x c e e d i n g l y Interested In the l i f e - l i k e d e l i n e a t i o n s p resented    by both pen and jjcncilo f m o s t e x t r a o r d i n a r y a n d t h r i l l i n g a d v e n t u r e s . That t r u t h is s t r a n g e r t h a n Motion is h e r e m a d e e v i d e n t , forii w o u l d be d i l h c u l t for t h e m o s t i m a g i n a t i v e to invent m o r e r e m a r k a b l e i n s t a n c e s o f h e r o i c f o r t i t u d e a n d resol u t i o n o r o f p a t i e n t e n d u r a n c e , t h a n t h o s e v o u have f a i t h f u l l y p o r t r a y e d d i r e c t f r o m fact a n d n a t u r e . * *    I t is g r a t i f y i n g to see t h a t t h e handsome style, In all particulars, o f t h i s v o l u m e , is w o r t h y o f t h e g r e a t merit o f its c o n t e n t s . Yours truly,
JOHN SAHTAIN,

D.

STOCKTON,
formerly

of the P IIILA. P ORT,

(The
WILLIAM STILL.

Celebrated Artist

and

Engraver.)

Managing

Editor

of the N . Y .

TIUBUNEJ

N E W Y O R K , F e b . 22,1872. I h a v e g l a n c e d at the a d v a n c e s heets o f M r . S t i l l ' s w o r k on " T H E U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D , " and h a v i n g l o n g k n o w n h i m , a m p r e p a r e d to say t h a t he deserves t he t h a n k s o f the p u b l i c for p r e p a r i n g a n d p u b l i s h i n g a b o o k so f r a u g h t w i t h i n tercst for e v e r y l o v e r o f F r e e d o m . OLIVER (Editor JOHNSON, X. Y. Tribune.) Weekly and Semi-Weekly

Respected Friend;   ! h a v e l o o k e d o v e r the proo: s heets o f " T H E U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R O A D " w i t h feelings o f l i v e l y i n t e r e s t . S o m e o f t h e i n s t a n c e s narrated t h e r e i n w e r e w i t h i n m y o w n k n o w l e d g e , a n d I c an test i f y to t h e f a i t h f u l n e s s o f the r e c o r d . I t Is w e l l thatthe s t i r r i n g s c e n e s o f l a t e r y e a r s w i l l b e t h u s p r e s e r v e d from oblivion. T h y friend,
SAMUEL R. SHIPLEY.

(Pres't "Provident

Life and

Trust Cb."

For

Terms to Agents,

<  c,

address

P ORTER & C OATES, P ublishers,
822 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa,

  
with WilA.iueriean a bundant I ve to the f idelity in w h i c h lie a t usually     tunity to e nt to the it t his eu-

21,1S72. y o u r new T h e nar.n r eality, t o realize a e n t ; but r fugitive c ts, musi w ith your C ommitd. tSON,
g Secretaq tmUston.)

t ed i n the d tjcnciles. That e nt, forii t o invent a n d resetyon have :e. * * * yle, In all e at merii

N, graver.)

t he proo: w ith feelnarrated I c an tes ) t hat the : ved from

IET,

rust G J."

i a , P a,

  
  
  
  
THE

UNDERGROUND RAIL ROAD
A E E C0 R D
or j^ACTS, y*tUTHENTIC J^ARRATIVES, LETTERS, 8jC,

Narrating the Hardships Hair-breadth Escapes and Death Struggles
OP THE

Slaves in their efforts for Freedom,
AS RELATED

BY

THEMSELVES A N D OTHERS,

O RW I T N E S S E D
WITH

B YT H E A U T H O R ;

TOGETHER

S KETCHES O F S OME O F T H E LARGEST:SX"OOX-H0L"0E-RS,"Arf D- . - - . M OST L IBERAL AIDERS AN  > A.DVISERS, " ~- - " *    O F T H E ROf.D^ :    -V ; . " - - - ". - -" ** * -.

'

BY

:

"_

:

   --. \

:

\

-

" W I L L I A M STILL,
F o r m any years connected with the A nti-Slavery Office i n P hiladelphia, a nd C hairman o f the A cting V i g i l a n t Committee o f the P hiladelphia Branch o f the Underground R a i l H oad. Illustrated with 70 fine Engravings hy Bensell, Schell and others, and Portraits from Photographs from L ife.

T h o n s halt n ot d eliver uuto h is m aster t he s ervant that litis escaped from h is m aster unto t hee.    Dcut. x x i i i . 15.

SOLD

ONLY

B Y SUBSCRIPTION.

PHILADELPHIA: P O E T E R & C O A T E S ,

8 22, C H E S T N U T 1872.

STREET.

43901

  
3a.b

St

4-4-

Entered a c c o r d i n g to act of Congress, i n the y e a r 1871. b y '   
W J V I

-

STILL,

I n ttip OQ"ioe;Of;trW L i b r a r i a n o f Congress, at W a s h i n g t o n .

IlE.NRT B. ASIIME.VB,
Printer, Phila.

  
DEDICATION:

TO T H E

F RIENDS OF F R E E D O M , TO HEROIC FUGITIVES A N D THEIR

P OSTERITY IN T H E UNITED STATES,

T HESE M EMORIALS OF THEIR L O V E OF L I B E R T Y

ARE

I NSCRIBED

B y the

AUTHOR.

  
  
PREFACE.

Whereas,

T h e position of W i l l i a m S t i l l i n the v i g i l a n c e committee connected w i t h t he

" U n d e r g r o u n d R a i l R o a d , " as its corresponding secretary, a n d c h a i r m a n of its active s ub-committee, g ave h i m peculiar facilities for collecting i n t e r e s t i n g facts p e r t a i n i n g to t his b ranch of the a n t i - s l a v e r y service ; therefore Eesolved, publish h is Rail Road." T h a t the P e n n s y l v a n i a A n t i - S l a v e r y Society request personal reminiscences and experiences r e l a t i n g to h i m to the compile a n d "Underground

I n c ompliance w i t h t his Resolution, unanimously passed at the c losing m eeting of the Pennsjdvania A n t i - S l a v e r y Society held l ast M a y i n P hiladelphia, t he writer, i n the. following pages, w i l l i n g l y a nd he h opes s atisfactorily discharges his duty. I n t hese Records w i l l be found interesting narratives of the escapes o f many men, women and children, from the prisonhouse of b ondage; f rom cities and plantations; from rice swamps a nd c otton fields; from kitchens and mechanic shops; from B order S tates and G u l f S tates; from cruel masters and m i l d m asters ;    some g uided by the north star alone, penniless, braving the p erils o f l and a nd sea, eluding the keen scent of the blood-hound as w ell as the more dangerous pursuit of the savage slave-hunter; some f rom secluded dens and c aves o f the earth, where for mouths a nd y ears they had been hidden away w a i t i n g for the chance to e scape; f rom mountains and swamps, where indescribable suffering f rom hunger and other privations had patiently been endured. O ccasionally f ugitives c ame i n b oxes a nd chests, and not infrequently some w ere secreted i n steamers and vessels, and i n some i nstances journeyed hundreds of miles i n skiffs. M e n disguised i n f emale attire and women dressed i n the garb of men have under v e r y t r y i n g c ircumstances triumphed i n thus making their way to freedom. A n d here and there Avlien a l l other modes o f escape seemed cut off, some, w hose f air c omplexions have rendered them i ndistinguishable f rom their Anglo-Saxon brethren, feeling that t hey could endure the yoke no longer, w i t h a ssumed airs of i m -

  
2

THE

UNDERGROUND

BAIL

ROAD.

p ortance, such as they had been accustomed to see their masters s how when traveling, have taken the usual m odes o f conveyance a nd h ave even braved the most s crutinizing i nspection of slaveholders, slave-catchers and car conductors, Avho were ever on the a lert t o catch those who were considered base and white enough to practice such deception. Passes have been written and used b y fugitives, w i t h t heir masters' and mistresses' names boldly a ttached thereto, and have answered admirably as a protection, w hen passing through ignorant country districts of slave regions, w here but few, either white or colored, knew how to read or write c orrectly. N ot a f ew, upon a rriving, o f course, h a r d l y had rags e nough on them to cover their nakedness, even i n the coldest w eather. I t s carcely needs be stated that, as a general r ule, t he passengers o f the U . G. Ft. R. were physically and intellectually a bove the average order of slaves. T hey were determined to have liberty even at the cost o f l ife. T he slave auction block indirectly proved to be i n some respects a v ery active agent i n promoting t ravel o n the U . G . R. R., just as Jeff. Davis was an agent i n helping to bring about the downfall o f Slavery. The horrors of the block, as looked upon through t he light of the daily heart-breaking separations i t was causing to t he oppressed, no pen could describe or m i n d i m a g i n e ; hence it w i l l be seen that many of the passengers, whose narratives w i l l be f ound i n this work, ascribed their first u ndying resolution to strike for freedom to the auction block or to the fear of soon h a v i n g to t ake t heir chances thereon. B u t other agencies were at work in t he South, which i n various ways aided directly or tacitly the U . G . R. R. cause. T o refer i n detail to any considerable number of these agents w ould be impossible, i f necessary. Some there were who nobly p eriled t heir a l l for the freedom of the oppressed, whose sufferings a nd deeds o f bravery must have a fitting p lace i n this volume. W here i n history, modern or ancient, could be found a more ' Christlike e xhibition of love and humanity, of whole-souled devotion t o freedom, than was proven i n the character of the hero, S eth C oncklin, w ho lost his life while endeavoring to rescue from A labama s lavery the wife and children of Peter S t