Monday, August 20, 2018

Underground Railroad

Connections

  • Cassidy became a member, which led to her becoming a wanted fugitive in Nebraska, 1853

Context

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret tunnels and safe houses used by African-American slaves and to escape to the free regions of the northern states and Canada. The term "Underground Railroad" was also used to describe the group of abolitionists who assisted the slaves in their journeys north.

It seems Cassidy was caught aiding the Underground Railroad by the authorities in Nebraska. My research showed only one applicable route. It went up the Missouri-Kansas border, then turned northeast at Nebraska City up towards Iowa City and Chicago.

The Nebraska wanted poster also accused Cassidy of "harboring a Fugitive Slave." This seems to imply that Cassidy also kept a slave hidden in one of the safe houses. I haven't yet discovered if there is a historical significance to the slave she assisted. Although, it seems 1853 was a year in which support rapidly grew for the Underground Railroad. 

No comments:

Post a Comment