AFF Neoowslerrtte r ottf thhe Aeebra h aPmP Lieencoooln Appssoclliaeteion V ol ume 8, Numb er 2 Summer 2006 Spr i n g f i el d, I l l i n oi s

Lincoln’s Springfield The Underground Railroad Part 2 By Richard E. Hart ground route and was not returned in time Wright, the co-worker of Wendell art 1 of “Lincoln’s Springfield: for the boys to use him. 31 Philips 38 in the establishment of the The Underground Railroad” underground railroad, and the entire Pfocused on activity in and A 1956 history of Westminster neighborhood was known as Wright’s around what is now know as Farming - Church states that, “More than one Grove.” 39 dale, Illinois, and began the story of Second Presbyterian home was a sta - Wright was a friend of Zebina Springfield’s involvement in the tion on the ‘Underground Railway,’ Eastman, the publisher of the Western Underground Railroad. the organization which helped run - Citizen, a Chicago-based abolitionist away slaves escape to Canada.” 32 newspaper. Eastman stated that he and Second Presbyterian Church and Erastus Wright was one of the thir - Cassius Clay visited Erastus in the Underground Railroad ty who split from the First Presbyterian Springfield and described him as a Erastus Wright Church and organized the Second “wealthy client of Lincoln’s who Presbyterian Church. He was born on served as an agent of the Underground In 1837 thirty members of the January 21, 1779, at Bernardstown, Railroad.” 40 First Presbyterian Church of Spring- Massachusetts, and came to Springfield field left the church over the issue of on November 21, 1821. He taught Springfield African American slavery and formed a new church, school for many years and for ten years Conductors on the known as the Second Presbyterian served as Sangamon County’s school Underground Railroad Church (now Westminster Presbyteri - commissioner. 33 Paul Angle described an Church ).30 Most of the thirty were Erastus in Here I Have Lived : “Erastus Not all of the Springfield conduc - New Englanders, and their new church Wright was another personality . . . To tors on the Underground Railroad was known not only as the Second the citizens, his outspoken abolition - were white, New England abolition - Presbyterian Church but also as the ism—he was a New Englander—was a ists. At least four Springfield African abolitionist church. strange and dangerous doctrine; while Americans, Jamieson Jenkins, William In a 1916 speech to the Presbyte - the youngsters found a perpetual K. Donnegan, Reverend Henry rian Synod of Illinois, Clinton L. Con - source of wonder in the trained elk Brown, and Aaron Dyer, were also kling, a friend of Lincoln and an elder which he rode and drove in harness.” 34 active Springfield conductors and of the Westminster Presbyterian Erastus Wright was Springfield’s assisted many runaway slaves on their Church, made these observations: quintessential New Englander and trips north to freedom. abolitionist. He was “always fearless in After a while a stream of immigrants came advocating its [abolitionist ] doc - Jamieson Jenkins from New York and New England. They trines.” 35 He signed Elijah Lovejoy’s were anti-slavery in feeling and practice. 1837 call for an antislavery convention Jamieson Jenkins, a mulatto, was Springfield became one of the stations of at Upper Alton, Illinois. 36 He was also born in North Carolina about 1810. the underground route as it was called, was one of five Sangamon County del - In the summer of 1835 he was living in between bondage and freedom; between egates to the 1839 Illinois Anti-Slavery Wake County, North Carolina, as a Kentucky and Missouri, the dwelling of the Society annual meeting. 37 Erastus lived freeman, and he was given a permit to slave, and Canada, the haven of rest. A Sat - at Wright’s Grove, near Jefferson and visit Guilford County, North Carolina, urday’s holiday of one of our own members Walnut streets, and his home was a sta - a Quaker community that was the (family of boys ) was once spoiled because tion on the Springfield Underground Grand Central Station of the Under - during the preceding night the old family Railroad. Henry Harrison Biggs “lives ground Railroad in the South. 41 The horse was used to take a runaway slave to in a historical locality . . . Two hundred Quakers there most likely assisted the station further north on this under - feet east was the home of Erastus continued on page 2 2 For the People

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continued from page 1 eleven runaway slaves had been cap - but, unfortunately, the one they accuse of Jamieson to begin his journey north tured. It reported that only eight were having done so, started north with a part from Guilford on the Underground caught, and that after publication of of the same gang the night before the Railroad, across the Ohio River and the January 17 paper, seven escaped. capture; and this rumor was only to pre - into Indiana. In Indiana he married The remaining slave, the lame Negro, vent, and maybe, to save the under - Elizabeth Pelham, a Virginia-born was “now in jail.” Three days later, the ground car from being upset or overtak - mulatto, and in 1844 they had a Register reported that the captured en. Now, in order to correct public senti - daughter, Nancy. Sometime between lame slave had been brought before ment in regard to that man’s conduct in Nancy’s birth in 1844 and 1846, the Supreme Court upon a writ of this matter, I would refer them to the fol - Jamieson and his family moved to habeas corpus and released. lowing certificate of the agent of the Springfield, and in the fall of 1848, On January 22, 1850, the Journal northern line of stages: Jamieson and Elizabeth joined the Sec - published a letter signed “Justice” con - ond Presbyterian Church, Springfield’s cerning what he called the “slave stam - Springfield, January 22, 1850 abolitionist church. pede in our neighborhood.” “We have The Jenkins family consisted of received a communication in relation This is to certify that Mr. Jenkins left for Jamieson—“Jimison Jarkins,” a dray - to the late ‘slave stampede’ in our Bloomington on the 16th day of January, man, his wife, Elizabeth, and their neighborhood, of this tenor: Rumor 1850, in the stage. daughter Nancy H., a washerwoman. 42 may have it, that it was a colored per - J. C.Goodhue, agent. The family resided in Springfield on son [Jamieson Jenkins ] who betrayed A Friend to “Justice” 45 the east side of Eighth Street, between the runaways last week. But unfortu - Jackson and Edwards streets, a block nately the one they accuse of having On August 29, 1851, Jameson south of the Lincoln home 43 done so, started north with a part of Jenkins’s membership in the Second On the evening of January 16, the same gang the night before the Presbyterian Church was terminated 1850, Jamieson Jenkins assisted seven capture. And this rumor was only to due to his having failed to answer runaway slaves move sixty miles north prevent, and may be save the ‘under- charges of not attending church meet - along the Underground Railroad from ground car’ from being upset or over - ings and licentiousness. 46 Springfield to Bloomington. During taken. Justice” 44 On February 11, 1861, Jameson the week that followed, Springfield’s On January 23, 1850, the Journal Jenkins drove President-elect Abraham Illinois Journal and Register newspa - printed a letter of response from “A Lincoln on his last Springfield carriage pers printed five confusing and some - Friend to Justice” which stated that ride from the Chenery House at the times contradictory reports on the the rumor that the runaway slaves had northeast corner of Fourth and Wash - presence of the runaway slaves and been betrayed by a local African Amer - ington streets to the Great Western called the events that transpired a “slave ican [Jamieson Jenkins ] was false and Railroad depot to begin his trip to stampede.” It was initially and incor - in fact, the rumor was a ruse “to pre - Washington. 47 rectly rumored around Springfield that vent, and maybe, to save the under - Jamieson Jenkins had betrayed the ground car from being upset or over - William K. Donnegan slaves resulting in their capture. taken.” Jenkins had in fact gone north On January 17, 1850, the Register by stage to Bloomington with some of William K. Donnegan, an African reported that on the previous day the runaway slaves. The affidavit of J. American, was born in Kentucky circa Springfield citizens had captured eleven C. Goodhue, stagecoach agent, stated: 1832, and came to Springfield in runaway slaves belonging to citizens of “This is to certify that Mr. Jenkins left 1845. In 1858 he was living on the St. Louis. On the same day, the Journal for Bloomington on the 16th day of north side of Jefferson Street, between reported that fourteen runaway slaves January, 1850 in the stage.” The letter Eighth and Ninth streets, just five from St. Louis and Kentucky, were dis - reads as follows: blocks north of the Lincoln Home. 48 covered in Springfield on their way Donnegan was a shoemaker with his north. Three men attempted to arrest Messrs, Editors:—In your paper of the shop on the north side of Adams them, but a fight ensued. Only one 22d inst., there is a communication Street, between Seventh Street and the slave, a lame Negro, was arrested and signed “Justice” which refers to the slave Public Square, just a block east of the placed in the City jail. stampede in this neighborhood on the Lincoln and Herndon law offices. He On January 18, 1850, the Register 16th, saying “that it was rumored that a made shoes for Abraham Lincoln. corrected its January 17 report that colored person had betrayed the slaves, continued on page 4 For the People 3

THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION RICHARD E. H ART President Smithsonian Lincoln Legacy Tour BARBARA HUGHETT ROBERT J. L ENZ n April 3 the Abraham Lincoln Iles House Foundation’s wonderful ROBERT WILLARD Association hosted a welcome volunteers helped make the event spe - Vice-Presidents Oreception for the Smithsonian cial. Hart received several notes thank - THOMAS F. S CHWARTZ Lincoln Legacy tour at the historic Eli - ing the ALA; one attendee said the Secretary jah Iles House in Springfield. The tour event was the highlight of the tour. ROBERT A. S TUART JR. Treasurer group was lead by noted Civil War his - ROGER D. B RIDGES torian Edward Bearss. They traveled Immediate Past-President through Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois MARY SHEPHERD by bus, ending the trip in Springfield. Executive Assistant The evening was a great success. Board of Directors The thirty-member group was met at Kenneth L. Anderson Molly M. Becker their hotel by ALA President Dick Michael Burlingame Hart and ALA Executive Assistant Brooks Davis Mary Shepherd. They walked through Rodney O. Davis Robert S. Eckley the historic district with Bearss in the Allen C. Guelzo lead, providing interesting narrative. Kathryn M. Harris The highlight was a candlelight tour of Earl W. Henderson Jr. Fred B. Hoffmann the Iles house with light refreshments. David Joens Hart then gave a short talk about the Ron J. Keller Association, and provided the group Lee McTurnan Richard W. Maroc with the ALA Newsletter as well as Myron Marty information about the Iles House and Edward Bearss, “Elijah Iles,” and Richard Mills The Papers of Abraham Lincoln. The Dick Hart Susan Mogerman Georgia Northrup Phillip S. Paludan James W. Patton III Mark Plummer Marvin Sanderman William G. Shepherd Brooks D. Simpson Daniel W. Stowell New Members Nicky Stratton Louise Taper Donald R. Tracy Ford’s Theatre, Washington, DC Philip A. Nathan, Leesburg, VA Andy Van Meter Margaret Van Meter Mrs. Florence J. Baur, Charles Sahm, New York, NY Daniel R. Weinberg Baldwinsville, NY Fred Stericker, Springfield, IL Stewart L. Winger Peter A. Bunten, Takoma Park, MD Richard Stewart, Chatham, IL Kenneth J. Winkle Chris Butler, Springfield, IL Mark J. Taylor, Normal, IL Honorary Directors Governor Rod R. Blagojevich Ray & Anne Capestrain, Senator Richard Durbin Springfield, IL Senator Barack Obama Alisa Corsi, Elgin, IL Congressman Ray LaHood Congressman John Shimkus Carolyn Cronin, Springfield, IL Justice Rita Garman John & Claudia Fulton, Colfax, CA New Mayor Timothy J. Davlin Barbara L. Kay, Glen Carbon, IL Emeritus Directors John & Betty Kay, Jacksonville, IL Cullom Davis Membership John J. Trutter Sr. Mary F. Kobets, Gweru, Harlington Wood Jr. Zimbabwe Dues Levels Distinguished Directors Richard Koch, Monticello, IL Mario M. Cuomo Jane Lawder, Springfield, IL n September 1, three levels of David Herbert Donald John Hope Franklin Maralee I. Lindley, Springfield, IL ALA membership dues will Harry V. Jaffa Corrine Macauley, West Chester, PA Oincrease. The Railsplitter level Robert W. Johannsen Brian, McGinty, Scottsdale, AZ will increase to $50, the Postmaster Garry Wills Floyd Marx Jr., St. Louis, MO level will increase to $100, and the Donald Motier, Harrisburg, PA Lawyer level will increase to $250. 4 For the People

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continued from page 2 lect that we didn’t know another’s names. her to keep out of sight. I stayed around, Recently, Curtis Mann, Manager It was best not. When a man unloaded one and in about an hour I saw three men—one of the Sangamon Valley Room at or more Negroes at my house or at any red-headed—coming down the street. As Springfield’s Lincoln Library, discov - other station in the night (it was always they approached, the girl peeped out of a ered a William K. Donnegan reminis - done then ) his name was not asked. But window and exclaimed, “O, that’s my cence published in the Old Settlers this girl had caught the names and would young master and his father.” I told her to Department of the May 1898 edition tell them. So George said I must take her go quick the back way to Burreas’ house. of Springfield’s The Public Patron. and hide her. She had hardly got out of sight when in Donnegan’s reminiscence of his 1858 I went home at once and found a girl came the three inquiring for a wash woman participation in Springfield’s under - about sixteen years of age and weighing who lived there. I told them there was ground railroad deserves a complete about one hundred and forty pounds. This none there—they must be mistaken in the publication. man Burreas, you understand, lived right place. They seemed disappointed, and by me, and the girl has been left there by came on into the kitchen. Finding nobody, I lived, in those days, on the north side of and having no excuse, they reluctantly Jefferson, between Eighth and Ninth went out again at the front door. streets, in a story and a half house. It is still I knew they’d go to Burreas,’ and as standing, and I could show you the garret soon as they left the door I managed to slip yet in which many a runaway has been hid - back by the back way and come into the den while the town was being searched. I kitchen. So, as they entered the house, she have secreted scores of them, I once had left and came into mine. I hustled her into seven hundred dollars in gold and silver the attic, and told her to go away back and turned into my lap by the owner of a slave crawl in behind the chimney and stay there as a bribe for my assisting in his recapture. till I told her to come out. Well, the men This took place in my shoe shop on Fourth came back and fooled around awhile and street. The house is not now standing. left disappointed. Well, could not capture the fellow, and had Now what was to be done was a ques - to return the money; but all the same he tion. I knew the house would be watched was under a pile of leather in that very all night. I heard in the afternoon that room when the money was paid. about thirty men had been engaged about One early morning in the summer or town for that night. A full description of spring of 1858, I think it was, George Bur - her had been given in the Springfield Reg - reas [George Burras ]49 , a barber and a near ister as she looked when she ran away, with neighbor of mine, came into my shop an offer of, I think, $500 for her capture. I somewhat excited and wanted me to go knew she was a dangerous girl to keep home at once. He said that during the about the place and finally hit on an expe - night a wagon had driven up to his house dient. Another girl, almost white, lived and hurriedly unloaded a runaway slave near named Hal, who was just about this girl, the driver getting away as quickly as William K. Donnegan girl’s size and form, but this runaway was possible, explaining that they had been quite black. I went down town and got a hotly pursued from Jacksonville, and that mistake in the excitement. I said, “See pair of white gloves and a white false face, their pursuers could not be far away then. here, gal, they say that you’re in danger of which I knew in the darkness would give He also hurriedly explained that the girl giving us all away, and if you don’t do as I the impression of whiteness. I told her must be concealed carefully and quickly as tell you, or if you threaten to get us into what to call me, and what to talk about and she was a dangerous character, being hard trouble, I’ll shoot you. She replied that she instructed her to alter her voice, so that if to manage. What was especially dangerous hoped I’d shoot her if she was about to be her master heard he would not know her. I was that she had an excellent memory and recaptured. She said that a brother and a knew that the dog-fennel [A strong- could tell the name of every man, woman sister of hers had been caught again and smelling European weed naturalized in and baby along the route. She had come burned. She was in earnest, too; but smart North America. ] all around between me from St. Louis to Springfield. She was as she was, she was a fool. She had no judg - and Ninth street would probably be full of liable to give all of them away to authori - ment; she wanted to see everything. I sent men watching who came to or left my ties by her imprudenace. You must recol - her into the back part of the house and told house after night. For the People 5 When it was dark enough I sallied out went to a man at the door and told him I me quick.” And we came into town right with her, talking to Hal loud enough to be was being followed, and asked him in a few behind our pursuers. I went straight for my heard, and she talking to me about things moments to open the door widely and close brother’s house on Carpenter street 54 [Pre - that happened days before. We started east, it again, while we slipped around the build - ston L. Donnegan who lived on the east I intending to get her into a house in the ing and out of sight. I thought the men side of Fourth Street, between Madison and east of town for awhile. We hadn’t got far would think we went in and while they were Carpenter, near the African Methodist when three men passed us, one of whom I looking we might escape. And sure enough, Church ], and called him up. He said: recognized as a Springfield man named that worked! They stopped, and while they “You’d better get in here quick. My house Emmet. Immediately after passing they had were finding out that we were not in the has been watched all night, and I think they stopped and were holding a consultation. I house we doubled on our track as fast as just left.” heard a man say: possible, crossed the C & A going west, So we hustled in, and began to plan “She moves exactly like my girl.” jumped over a fence and made away for the how to get the girl out of the city. My “No,” said another, “this one’s white.” woods and down where the present O & M brother said that John Stewart was going “Well, I believe we ought to get her track [Probably present day Madison to take a gang of colored men out to the away—I believe it’s the girl I’m after,” was Street ] is, towards the old West Shaft [prob - neighborhood of Lyman’s to go plowing. the reply. ably on the west side of Lincoln Avenue “That’s all right,” I said. “now, let us I heard Emmet say, “You’d better be near its intersection with Jefferson Street ].52 get her up a boy’s rig and send her out with careful not to make a mistake. He carries I was aiming to get to a Mr. Gardner’s them as a boy. None but Stewart need bowie knife and a shooter that will kill at [Hiram E. Gardner of near Farmington ] or know, and he can tell Lyman all about her.” 150 yards, and he’s the kind that uses Lyman’s [Dr. John Lyman of Farmington ], So we rigged her out and sent her to the them.” one of our stations near the Beardstown country in that way in daylight.” “Well, I won’t risk my life for any nig - road, west of Bradfordton. As I drew near One of our men down near St. Louis ger,” was the reply. the bridge over the creek [Spring Creek ] that helped run slaves off got shot about They kept at a distance, but still knew west of the city I thought I’d better be cau - this time, and broke our line for nearly six where we went. I couldn’t get the girl taken tious, as it might be guarded. So, going off weeks, during which time she remained at in at the house to which we went, so a few rods from the road, I made the girl Lyman’s. Finally he sent word that some - thought I’d take her up to the timber near climb up into the fork of a red-bud tree to thing must be done. She couldn’t be the Converse school, [1437 North Eighth wait until I went forward to look for ene - restrained from showing herself, and they Street 50 ] hoping to escape pursuit there. I mies. The woods were full of wild hogs and were in terror lest she give the whole went directly north on Ninth street, but cows, the latter being quite fierce when they underground railroad gang away. I sent they blocked my game, outflanked me and had calves as many of them had, so I told word to Mrs. Lyman to tell the girl I was got there ahead. I began to think it was her she must not come down till I came going to shoot her. And I did go and hunt - dangerous to get into the woods with those back. Some little distance from the bridge a ed the house over for her, shot my pistol three against me, so I turned down the C & dog growled at my side. I gave it some off a few times and scared her nearly to A track [Third Street was the right of way meat—I always carried a lunch on such death. Of course I couldn’t find her, but initially for the Alton and Sangamon Rail - occasions—and soon quieted it. Going cau - she was so frightened that when she was road and subsequently for a series of other tiously forward I found the bridge at the told to go into the basement and remain railroads from 1852 to present ] and went old mill 53 [Hickox Mill north of the inter - hid she did so. over to Third street, and back [south ] section of Veteran’s Parkway and Jefferson After some time we succeeded in get - towards town. The men still followed. Near Street on Spring Creek ] guarded by a dozen ting her out of the country, off towards Carpenter street [Third and Carpenter with guns. I came back to where the girl Canada. streets ] a bulldog broke his chain and was. She said she was afraid and must come “Oh,” said our informant, after relat - attacked us, catching hold of the girl’s down, and in fact did climb down. I made ing the above, “I could give you a whole skirts. She screamed. I told her to be still, her get up, and again left her, going this lot of such scrapes. But I’ll never forget the and placing my revolver to the dog’s head I time up to the bridge on the Beardstown night I spent in trying to get that girl fired, splattering its brains over my hands. road [Jefferson Street and Veterans Park - away.” 55 Then I turned to the men who were crowd - way, Springfield, Illinois ]. It was guarded. I ing still closer and shouted that I would kill tried to find a place to cross but could not On August 16, 1908, during the any four-legged or two-legged dogs that as the stream was full, so I went back again Springfield Race Riot, a mob captured bothered me much more. At this they fell to where I left the girl. It was now getting eighty-four-year-old William K. Don - back somewhat. I was going down Fourth on towards daylight. Presently I heard the negan, cut his throat and lynched him street by this time, towards a Methodist clatter of horses’ feet and the whole compa - in a tree in the schoolyard of the church 51 [African Methodist Church on the ny swept by on horses toward town. They Edwards School across the street from northeast corner of Fourth and Mason had left for the night. But it was too late for his home at the corner of Spring and streets ] that stood there then, and in which us to go on; daylight would catch us before Edwards streets. 56 The events sur - there was a meeting that night. It all at once we could get half way to our destination. I rounding the riot and Donnegan’s occurred that I might make this useful. I says to the girl, “Get down now, and follow continued on page 6 6 For the People

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continued from page 5 33 Power, 788. State of North Carolina murder led to the organization of the 34 Angle, 27. Wake County this 12th April 1838 National Association for the Advance - 35 Power, 788. Dear Sir certify that the son of the ment of Colored People. 36 The Springfield signers were: above Nancy Jenkins was known by me to Erastus Wright, Z. Hallock, E. B. be a freeman of colour and further certify [T]he mob merely changed direction and Hawley, R. P. Abel, Roswell Abel, W. that I gave him a permit to leave this Coun - proceeded to march across the capitol M. Cowgill, Isaac Bancroft, Jr., J. C. try for him to make a visit to Gilford Coun - grounds and headed for the home of Bancroft, Oliver B. Culver, J. B. Wat - ty some time in the summer of 1835. William Donnegan. He was an elderly long son, J. Stephenson, C. B. Francis, J. G. Ezra Gill time resident of Springfield. Donnegan was Rawson, Joseph Taney [Torrey ], eighty-four years old and a cobbler by trade; Edmund R. Wiley, James Pratt, Josiah 42 1850 United States Census, 194; a respected resident of the community who Francis, Elisha Taber, Geo. N Kendall, 1860 United States Census, 122; C. S. owned his own home outside the Badlands S. Conant, and E. and W. Thayer. Williams, comp., Williams’ Springfield and also owned some adjacent properties 37 Genius of Universal Emancipation. Directory, City Guide and Business which were occupied by members of his 38 Wendell Phillips (1811–1884 ) of Mirror, for 1860–61 (Springfield, Ill.: family. He was known to be a friend and the Boston, Massachusetts, was an orator Johnson & Bradford, 1860) (hereafter cobbler of Abraham Lincoln. Donnegan and reformer, and became famous as a cited as 1860–1861 Springfield City made a small fortune bringing southern supporter of abolition. In Boston in Directory); B. Winters & Co., comp., blacks to Springfield to find jobs. He had 1837 Phillips delivered an address Springfield City Directory, For 1857- never been accused of a crime. He had how - rebuking those who upheld the mob ’58 (Springfield, Ill.: S. H. Jameson & ever, broken the unwritten mores of being murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy. Phillips’s Co., 1857) (hereafter referred to as married to a white woman for the last thir - address became one of the most 1857–1858 Springfield City Directo - ty-two years. The mob approached Don - famous speeches in history for its ry); Power, 303; Edwin C. Bearss, negan’s home. When he came out to find protest against mob rule. Unyielding “Historical Base Map, Lincoln Home, what they were up to, they grabbed him, in his opposition to slavery, Phillips Springfield, Illinois,” Nov. 30, 1969, cut his throat, dragged his body across the gave up his law practice in 1837 to join 84–86, Division of History, Office of street, and lynched him in the Edwards William Lloyd Garrison’s group of Archeology and Historic Preservation, School yard. He was still alive when the abolitionists. He fought courageously National Park Service, Washington, National Guard cut him down, but he died against any individual, institution, or D.C. On April 9, 1861, William early the next morning. This lynching was law that he thought prevented aboli - LaRue Flourville, the son of William the last mob action of the riot. 57 tion. Phillips favored ending slavery “Billy the Barber” and Phoebe even at the cost of breaking up the Florville, married seventeen-year-old * The conclusion of “Lincoln’s Spring- Union. He severely criticized the Lin - Nancy Jenkins, the daughter of Jame - field: The Underground Railroad” will coln’s administration during the Civil son and Elizabeth Pelham Jenkins. appear in the autumn issue of For the War. People . 39 Joseph Wallace, Past and Present of the City of Springfield and Sangamon 30 “Minutes of Session and Church County, Illinois (Chicago: S. J. Clarke For the People (ISSN 1527–2710 ) is Register, Second Presbyterian Church, Publishing Co., 1904), 1:220. published four times a year and is a Vol. 1, 1835–1867,” Westminster 40 Zebina Eastman, History of the benefit of membership of the Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Ill. Anti-Slavery Agitation, and the Abraham Lincoln Association (hereafter cited as Second Presbyterian Growth of the Liberty and Republican 1 Old State Capitol Plaza Church Minutes ). Parties in the State of Illinois, in Dis - Springfield, Illinois 31 “Speech of Clinton L. Conkling covery and Conquests of the North-west, 62701 to the Members of the Presbyterian With the History of Chicago (Wheaton, Synod of Illinois, Springfield, Illinois, Ill.: R. Blanchard, 1879), 671. Editorial and design services by October 19, 1916,” 8–9, Abraham 41 Jamerson Jenkins recorded his William B. Tubbs Lincoln Presidential Library. Certificate of Freedom with the Sang - ([email protected] ) 32 Frances Fowler Allen, “The Story amon County Recorder of Deeds, of Westminster” (Springfield, Ill., Deed Record Book 4, 21, on March 1956 ), 6. 28, 1846. For the People 7 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, mon County, by Township, For the Years common school education, under the cloak 1763–1900, Illinois State Archives, 1874–75 (Springfield: Illinois Journal of the colored people of the State of Illi - http://www.sos.state.il.us/depart - Co., 1874) (hereafter cited as nois; ments/archives/marriage.html 1874–1875 Springfield City Directo - We, as a portion of the colored people 43 Douglas L. Wilson and Rodney ry). of this State, in Springfield, do not desire O. Davis, eds., Herndon’s Informants: 49 On Monday, November 8, 1852, any such system of common school educa - Letters, Interviews, and Statements Springfield African Americans met and tion, under the name of one distinct sect or about Abraham Lincoln (Urbana: Uni - adopted a resolution saying “we must denomination; nor will we join in with it; versity of Illinois Press, 1998), 597; speak in bold terms.” The resolution nor give our support to it; but will do every Jesse W. Weik, interview of Margaret opposed the Wood River Colored Bap - thing that is in our power to indemnify Ryan, Oct. 27, 1886, Jesse Weik tist Association’s proposal for separate, ourselves against any of the above proceed - Papers, box 2, memorandum book 1, state-funded colored schools, and stat - ings that may have been conjured up in this Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. ed that they would not ask for state association; 44 Illinois Journal, Jan. 22, 1850, p. funded support for separate, colored That we deem it an injury to our pres - 3, col. 1. schools. The resolution was signed by ent established schools, and that it will hin - 45 Ibid., Jan. 23, 1850. twenty Springfield African American der the energy of those who are willing to 46 Second Presbyterian Church men, including Aaron Dyer and aid, and have already aided in the support Minutes. William Donnegan. of our respective schools; and that we do 47 Washington Star, Feb. 12, 1861; not wish to give our aid in any measure that Thomas D. Jones, Memories of Lincoln Springfield, Nov. 8, 1852. will hinder our progress that has already (New York: Press of the Pioneers, At a meeting of the colored citizens of begun; 1934), 16; Jay Monaghan, Diplomat this city, on the 8th instant, after having That we, as a portion of the colored in Carpet Slippers: Abraham Lincoln deliberated over the matter concerning our population, representing its claims, feel a Deals with Foreign Affairs (Indianapo - interests, common schools, etc. had occa - deep, very deep interest, in our schools, lis: Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1945), 28. sion to notice the following, which we and think it the only sure way to redeem 48 811 Jefferson according to the must speak of in bold terms; and which, ourselves from the bondage we are now in, 1875 City Directory. Julius Babeuf, after a vote was taken, was unanimously sympathize with our race, and will do every comp., Babeuf’s Directory of adopted: thing that is in our power to educate our Springfield, Illinois for the Year 1875, The undersigned having just noticed children by our exertions, and without the 3d ed. (Springfield: Illinois Journal an article written for the paper entitled, the boldness to ask aid from the people of the Company, 1875), 90, 160, 162 (here - “Western Citizens,” by the “Wood River State; after cited as 1875 Springfield City Colored Baptist Association,” and also the And that in examining the Minutes of Directory); David B. Gould & Co., Minutes of the same, wish to make the fol - the Association, we notice an article pro - Gould’s Springfield Directory for lowing reply: posing to establish a press, which will be 1873–4 (Springfield, Ill.: Journal Co., Whereas the “Wood River Colored attached to the Institution, and put into 1873) (hereafter cited as 1873–1874 Baptist Association,” having met at Jack - operation as soon as the amount of funds Spring-field City Directory); Babeuf, sonville, Illinois, devised ways and means necessary for its support can be raised. In comp., Directory of Springfield, Sanga - for the purpose of establishing a system of continued on page 8

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Please enroll me as a member of the Mail this application (or a photocopy ) Abraham Lincoln Association in the and a check to: category indicated: The Abraham Lincoln Association Railsplitter $35 1 Old State Capitol Plaza ($25 Student ) Springfield, Illinois Postmaster $75 62701 Lawyer $200 ® Congressman $500 Name President $1,000 Street Website: www.alincolnassoc.com City Members residing outside the U.S. add State $3.00. Zip 8 For the People

Lincoln’s Springfield Th e Un der g r oun d R ai l r oad P ar t 2

continued from page 7 Wooden rectangle and small wooden ley, 1866 ); R. L. Dudley & Co., regard to this we can say, that it reminds us rectangle at rear: Name: “African Springfield City Directory, for 1869–70 of the bill which was handed into the Leg - Church.” Lot 2 and S. 1/2 of Lot 3, (Springfield, Ill.: Daily State Register islature two years ago—coming, in part, Cook’s (Edwards?) Addition. “[T]he Steam Printing House, 1869) (here - from the same source; and consequently we colored children were compelled to after cited as 1869–1870 Springfield do not feel willing to embark in any such attend school in a shanty in the rear of City Directory). enterprize; ner shall we. the African church, on North Fourth 55 The Public Patron (Springfield), After reading the above, what patriot, street.” See History of Sangamon May 1898, p. 3. as he is called, can enlist in the resolutions County, Illinois (Chicago: Inter-State 56 Roberta Senechal, The Sociogene - which that Association have gotten up, Publishing, 1881), 588. See also Illi - sis of a Race Riot, Springfield, Illinois without the consent of any persons but nois State Journal, Sept. 6, 1859, p. 3, in 1908 (Urbana: University of Illinois themselves? col. 1, Apr. 21, 1860, p. 3, col. 1; Press, 1990), 43–46, 96, 99, 131, 136, James Reynolds, David Callyhan, 1860–1861 Springfield City Directory. 138–39, 169–71, 174. Gilbert Johnson, Isaiah Chambers, Michael 52 Power, in History of Springfield, 57 Deepak Madala, Jennifer Jordan, Millington, Wm. McCoslin, John Hand - Illinois, Its Attractions as a Home and and August Appleton, “The Spring- som, J. W. Hill, Aaron Dyre, A. J. Petete, Advantage for Business, Manufacturing, field Race Riot of 1908,” http:// John Lee, Spencer Donnigan, Andrew etc. (Springfield: Illinois State Journal, library.thinkquest.org/2986/Killed. Broadwaters, James Hendrix, William Lee, 1871), 49, references Starne and Shutt’s html. For other interesting Websites Wm. Donnigan, Patterson Bannister, Mine, known as the West End Shaft. concerning Donnegan and the 1908 George Burras, Benjamin Williams, James The 1872 Perspective Map of Springfield, Springfield Race Riot, see “Ruth Ellis’s Blanks. Illinois (Milwaukee: Beck & Pauli, Tale of Two Cities: A Modern Fairy 1872), shows the West End Coal Shaft Tale in Black & White,” http:// 50 Illinois Capitol Illustrated marked with the number 39. www.keithboykin.com/author/ (Springfield: Illinois State Register, 53 Curtis Mann, Watermills of the ruth1.html; Toby Mac and Michael 1898), 148. Sangamo Country (Springfield, Ill.: Tait, “Under God, The Dark Side of 51 Springfield African Methodist Under the Prairie Foundation, 2004), Lincoln’s Home: Springfield Riot Episcopal Church, east side of Fourth 18–19. (August 1908),” http://www.cbn. Street, between Gemini (Carpenter) 54 John C. W. Bailey, comp., Sang - com/special/BlackHistory/Under - and Madison streets. 1858 Sides Map, amon Co. Gazetteer (Springfield: Bai - God_Springfieldriot.asp.

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage For the People PAID A News l et t er of t he A b r aham L i nc ol n A s s oc i at i on Springfield, Illinois 1 Ol d St at e Capi t ol P l az a Permit No. 263 Spr i ngf i el d, I l l i noi s 62 7 0 1

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