BLACK HISTORY NEWS & NOTEStS) NL," r '

AUGUST 2001 NUMBER 85 Dear Sergeant Teacher: World War I Letters to Irven Armstrong Hoosier Irven Armstrong (7 bom to this union including Isaac, good penmanship, contain the March 1892-10 May 1996) and four Ezekial “Zeek,” Charles, and signatures and addresses of the of his brothers served in the United Lindzey. Edward Armstrong was students, all who lived within blocks States Army during World War I. married prieviously to Laura Bell of the near west side school. All Armstrong was inducted in the army Hord. Their children were Orvid letters are dated 7 November 1918 during Spring 1918. By June, he Woody and Harvey L. Armstrong. and appear to have been written by was in France serving in the 351st The Armstrong brothers were eighth graders. (Four days later the Field Artillery Regiment. This was among the 1,095 men who served war ended with the signing of the one of the numerous regiments that from Hamilton County during armistice.) A synopsis of the letters made up the 92nd Division. The World War I. follow: 92nd was organized in 1917 from Before graduating from Indiana Mildred Carpenter. 930 N. Milev the first group of black draftees who University in 1915, Irven Armstrong Aye. Parents are buying Liberty arrived in camps throughout the was a schoolteacher in Hamilton Bonds; students purchasing Thrift United States. All of the enlisted County and Indianapolis. After he and War Saving Bonds. Also sav­ men in the 92nd were black. Most received his degree, he taught at ing pits of fruit and nuts to furnish of the staff and officers of the units Indianapolis Public School #17. carbon for gas masks. She misses were white. Armstrong served as a While he was in France, Armstrong him even though she was not one of sergeant in his regiment. sent at least one letter home that was his pupils. Armstrong was bom in Westfield read to students at School #17. Earlee A. Griffin. 719 N. (Hamilton County), Indiana, in (School #17 was one of the many Roanoke St. The Spanish Influenza 1892. He was the second son of “colored” elementary and junior has caused a four-week vacation Edward “Ned” Armstrong (1844- high schools that would later from school. A successful Liberty 1924) and Sarah Roberts Armstrong become feeder schools for Crispus Loan drive during October—all (1856-1939). Four other sons were Attucks High School, when it counties in Indiana reached their opened in 1927. These schools had quota. She is in the 8B and is glad names such as Frederick Douglass that Armstrong is thinking of Old School #19, Charles Sumner School Seventeen. Election Day was the #23, William D. McCoy School #24, 5th of November. and John Hope School #26.) Minnie Hooks. 538 W. 16th St. Apparently, as a class assignment, Students are still buying Thrift students were directed to respond to Stamps. They are bringing peach, Sergeant Armstrong. Ten of these apricot, and plum seeds to school for letters are contained in the Irven carbon to make gas masks. The Armstrong Papers (M0745), a one- fourth Liberty Bond is out and box collection at the Indiana everyone is urged to buy one to help Historical Society. the soldiers during the winter. In general, the letters wish Elnora Landes. 930 N. Senate Armstrong well, commend his war Ave. Glad to get your interesting service, express homefront support letter read to us. You make Seven­ of American soldiers, comment on teen proud. The Influenza Epidemic Edward and Sarah Armstrong with the effects of the 1918 Influenza had kept students out of school. In­ their five sons who served during Epidemic, thank him for keeping World War I. From left to right: Charles, diana went “over the top” in the America safe for Democracy, and Lindzey, Irven, Ezekiel, and Isaac fourth Liberty Loan drive. Armstrong. Photo courtesy of Coy bid him a safe return. The Robbins. expressive letters, executed with (Continued on page 8) BHNN_2001-08_NO85 Sheltering a Famous Fugitive Slave by Thomas A. Hendrickson Part I “Escape . . . offers a tremendous psychological boost to the struggle rjtk.- , and a great publicity blow against the enemy.” —Nelson Mandela

Editor’s Note: This is the first part of a two- southern Ohio when kidnapped to part article. Thomas A. Hendrickson is an the South and sold. As Loguen grew attorney. He is indebted to Professor John older he further considered that he McKivigan for analysis of an earlier revi­ could not be a slave, nor that free­ sion of this article. The author invites your dom should be purchased, because comments. Please send comments to 7979 God created him.2 Lantern Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46256, or E-mail: [email protected] Planning and audacity were pay­ ing off for the fugitives, although Jermain Loguen and John Famey along the way they had been forced reined their horses toward to change part of their intended route Indianapolis, a town of about 1,700 to Canadian freedom from Illinois people, including about 80 free Jermain Loguen to Indiana.3 Their pistols were Reprinted from the Onondaga African Americans.1 It was the end primed and powder dry. They still Historical Association Collection. of January or early February 1835 had money, useful at inns while pos­ and the burly twenty-year-old ing as free blacks. Their horses were became acquainted when Overall fugitive slaves had a lot going for fit and fast. And they had received lived in Harrison County.4 them in their flight from southern assurance from their black protec­ Upon entering Indiana, Loguen Tennessee. Their immediate tor at Corydon, Indiana, that Mr. and Famey led their horses across destination was Indianapolis, “a Overrals, a black man in Indianapo­ the frozen Ohio River to, possibly, village of no great importance.” lis, would help them. In Corydon a “Boone’s [or “Bell’s”] Landing.” Although Loguen grew up in sla­ true hearted colored man sheltering This crossing site was two or three very, he did not consider that he was them during the daylight hours was miles upriver from Brandenburg, a slave. Under American law the likely free black Oswell (or Oswald) Kentucky. At first blush this ac­ child of a slave mother was a slave; Wright who, with the white Bell count appears hardly credible, but the child of a free mother was free. family, became noted later for work the river easily froze before mod­ Loguen’s mother, Cherry, told him in the Underground Railroad. em dams raised its level. Slaves that she was a free black child in Wright and James Overall probably contemplating flight across the river

2 often waited until it was frozen. tives, these black farmers might The tavern the fugitives left as Calvin Fletcher reported running have been in the Farmington area they rode toward Indianapolis was thick ice in the river at Cincinnati two miles southeast of present-day likely near present Amity, near on 9 January 1835 and “very cold” Seymour or a dozen miles farther Sugar Creek. At the tavern Loguen weather in southern Ohio and Indi­ northeast at Sand Creek. Free blacks had picked up a newspaper and pre­ ana into March. Loguen experienced such as the Parks, Bishops, and tended to be able to read it. That “an intensely cold day” north of Newbys settled both areas prior to ploy had almost given them away. Indianapolis about mid-February.5 1835. Many were from Perquemous The only part of the alphabet When they landed in Indiana and County, North Carolina. These Loguen recognized was capital “A.” fired their pistols in jo y o f arriving blacks likely accompanied Quakers He looked for its shape in the news­ on free soil, they acknowledged to settling the areas, such as the ex­ paper, found it, and was dismayed the friend providentially present, tended Cox family, known for their to discover that he was holding the that they were escaped slaves; but Underground Railroad work newspaper upside down!12 to no other person did they, admit throughout several counties. East­ Jermain (Jarm) Loguen’s account it, until they found Mr. Overrals. ern abolitionist speaker Sydney of his escape from slavery with fel­ The black man who providen­ Howard Gay was a guest at Sand low slave John Famey and his later tially met Loguen and Famey on the Creek in early October 1843. eventful life was published in 1859 Indiana side of the Ohio River might Gay characterized Indiana in and narrates the last leg of their trip have been emancipated slave Tho­ 1843 as a “mob state,” but also ob­ to Indianapolis as follows: Having mas Mitchem, who bought land in served many fugitive slaves on their finished their purpose at the tavern, 1833 immediately northeast of way north in southern Indiana and they started for Indianapolis, and Boone’s Landing. The fugitives Ohio. “It was gratifying to me to arrived safely at Mr. Overrals of then spent an uncomfortable night find how complete are all the ar­ that city, in a day or two without any in the bam of an unidentified “Dutch rangements for aiding those who occurrence worth relating. . . Mr. groggery” on the road to Corydon.6 escape from the slave states, on their Overrals, though colored, was an After the fugitives left Corydon way to Canada. The slaves them­ educated man, and had a large char­ their wandering took them eastward selves have means of information, acter and acquaintance among col­ by happenstance to a Samaritan to some extent, and friends about ored people; and was much re­ white couple near New Albany who them in the slave states, both which spected by white ones, for his pro­ also recommended Indianapolis as put them in the way of watching bity, industry and good sense. He a way station.7 The couple told them those on the other side of the bor­ received and befriended the fugi­ there were two hotels in Salem and der, who will forward them . . . It is tives, as was his custom with all oth­ that they should go to the hotel that difficult, and indeed impossible, to ers who came to him. was built with brick. Following di­ estimate the number who yearly es­ After arriving in Indianapolis, To rections given them, they found the cape; it is probably generally under­ him [Overall] they stated their case brick tavern to be a first class hotel estimated. At one time, we were just truly, and surrendered to his direc­ for those days. The hotel’s landlord behind a company of twenty [fugi­ tions. For the future, he [Overall] was not identified, but Andrew Weir tive slaves], who had been scattered, advised them not to conceal the fact is a candidate. Weir owned Union like a covey of partridges by the that they were slaves, if it was nec­ Hall, a tavern with a stable on Lot huntsman, by men who had followed essary to speak of it at all. . . For 14 on the Salem public square, buy­ them many miles into Indiana.”9 the reason that the people among ing it 15 May 1832. The hotel in­ Loguen and Famey’s 1835 pro­ whom they would travel, as a gen­ stalled a cookstove in 1834 that was tectors warned that Indiana was a eral thing were more willing to be­ considered “a great curiosity.” Weir dangerous place for fugitive friend slaves than coloredfreemen. was bom in Virginia, and was about slaves.10 The forged holiday passes This ironic barb striking at north­ age forty-one in 1835. He publicly for use in Tennessee and Kentucky ern racism suggests that Overall freed one slave in Salem in 1821, had expired, and they had no phony may have had a touch of the rhetori­ and filed with the county recorder free papers for use if confronted in cal arts for which Frederick his statement that he gave “full, ab­ Indiana. Survival in slavery had Douglass and other black abolition­ solute and perfect freedom” to an­ taught them the art of deceit. The ists, including Loguen himself, later other man of color known as railroad and the telegraph had not became famous. Overall sent them “Charles,” in 1826. Weir was a Rul­ yet come to Indiana and news of to a Quaker settlement about forty ing Elder in the Salem Presbyterian their flight could not have traveled miles from Indianapolis.13 Church.8 The tavern keeper took faster than their horses. But they had The Quakers received them with care of the fugitives and their horses forfeited lead time by lingering two characteristic hospitality, and ad­ overnight and sent them on to free or three weeks with the hospitable vised them to be careful and not to black farmers a distance of an easy free black farmers. In the meantime hear to the east — that they had best day’s ride. rewards for them could have been go directly north, or north-west — Joyously entertaining the fugi­ published in Kentucky or beyond.11 for that emigrants from the slave 3 States had settled into southern and curing some money cheated children at Utica. There he met eastern Indiana; that a large wilder­ Loguen. If the fugitives spent the Caroline Sturm of Busti. They were ness, occupied only, by, Indians and night in Logansport, their host might married in 1840, and he became a roving hunters, separated them from have been Benjamin Talbert, an Af­ minister in the African Methodist [friendly] settlers from the northern rican American who was over age Episcopal Zion Church. Except for and eastern States. sixty and the former slave of Gen­ three years at Bath and two years at An area two to three miles east eral and United States senator John Ithaca, the couple lived at Syracuse. of Pendleton may have been the Tipton. Other possible host candi­ Religious abolitionists, principally “Quaker settlement” to which Over­ dates include one of the three black Presbyterians, encouraged their Un­ all sent them. Settled by Quaker families who moved to Logansport derground Railroad efforts. Loguen abolitionists from Chester County, from Vincennes with Hyacinthe became head (bishop) of the Zion Pennsylvania, the area became Lasselle in 1833. From Logansport Church in 1864. He died in 1872 known as the “Quaker Settlement.” the fugitives rode north into west before assuming an assignment to Neal Hardy (a non-Quaker), thought central Michigan and thence south­ California.19 to be the first immigrant from easterly toward Detroit, likely along Escaped slaves almost always Chester County, arrived at the settle­ the Grand River Road. Famey’s chose new names —to hide and for ment in 1832. Elizabeth Fussell of good horse and Loguen’s good pride. Jermain Loguen sought not Chester County married Hardy 1 saddle were stolen in Detroit. Com­ anonymity and he changed his last August 1833. Elizabeth’s aunt, pletely broke, the two walked to name but slightly, adding the letter Esther Lewis, operated an Under­ freedom in Canada across the fro­ “n,” making it L-o-g-u-e-n instead ground Railroad household in zen Detroit River, leaving Loguen’s of L-o-g-u-e. As part of his crusade Chester County, assisted by Lewis’s worthless horse. Unfortunately against slavery he and his wife daughters Rebecca and Graceanna Famey backtracked to Detroit to re­ Caroline publicly acknowledged and Elizabeth’s brother, Edwin. In cover his good horse and Loguen’s their home as being a station on the 1838 Edwin graduated from medi­ good saddle and was never heard Underground Railroad.20 It is un­ cal school, married Rebecca, moved from again. Famey had been a boon, disputed that the Loguens harbored to Pendleton, and helped organize bold, brave, and strong companion several hundred fugitive slaves wind­ the Indiana Anti-Slavery Society. from Loguen’s childhood, and they ing their way north to freedom.21 Elizabeth and Rebecca were host­ had been essential to each other in Loguen satirized slave owners by esses to the Frederick Douglass, the escape. Loguen advertised for publishing letters to and from his William White, and George him and continued to seek news of mistress owner in Tennessee.22 The Bradburn speaking team in Famey for decades. Loguen was cadre of white abolitionists who sup­ Pendleton, 14-17 September 1843. certain that with Famey’s strength ported Loguen’s preaching and aid Trying to shield Douglass, Rebecca and will he would not have been work to both free and fugitive blacks held her baby Linnaeus in front of a forced back into slavery, and that encouraged the harboring of slaves proslavery gang that attacked him. possibly he had been murdered. and the ridicule of slave owners. In Elizabeth cared for the injured Farney’s loss no doubt made the North only Oberlin, Ohio, ri­ Douglass at her home. The gang Loguen’s hard life in Canada the valed Syracuse and its nearby towns was variously from areas east, north, more depressing.15 as an abolitionist stronghold. and southeast of Pendleton, accord­ Loguen found a friendly em­ In 1851 Loguen was implicated ing to different writers. ployer in the Ancaster-Hamilton in the “Jerry Rescue,” the forcible About twenty miles to the north area of Ontario and received brief release from federal marshals of an and west of the Quaker Settlement schooling in Hamilton.16 He began apprehended fugitive slave in Syra­ lay the Miami Indian Reserve and a working summers in a Rochester, cuse, New York.23 Loguen’s friends trip through wilderness for the fu­ New York, hotel and made “burned persuaded him to flee temporarily gitives of about fifty or sixty miles over” (evangelical and abolitionist) to Canada. Even as his fame spread, until they would reach Logansport western New York State his domi­ Loguen never permitted purchase of on the Wabash River.14 Except for cile thereafter. Rev. E. P. Rogers, a his freedom. This form of defiance some squatters and hunters, Native black professor on faculty, success­ of slave laws was unique among the Americans had the Reserve to them­ fully urged Loguen to enroll in the small number of prominent black selves until the mid-1840s. On this Oneida Institute at Whitestown, abolitionists.24 Most reluctantly per­ ride through bitter cold and snow, New York.17 The Institute was one mitted purchase of their freedom as the Native Americans and hunters of the first schools of higher educa­ a practical necessity in order to carry provided help and shelter. tion to admit African Americans. on their antislavery crusading. Such There was one Logansport event Some of the Institute’s black stu­ purchases were a bitter pill for the mentioned in The Reverend J. W. dents became influential and promi­ most diehard white abolitionists, Loguen as a Slave and as a Free­ nent.18 Loguen attended the college who preferred the publicity of the man. An unidentified Quaker in a two and one half years and in the martyrdom of recapture to safety for downward horse trade aimed at se­ meantime began teaching black the fugitive slave.25 4 While Indianapolis histories of and its turning basins and the road corner of the town in perpetual 187026 and 188427 differ, deed elevations necessary for its bridges. turmoil. The feud culminated in a records for 1835 and 1836 place the When Overall died toward the end collision with ‘Old man Overall,’ a likely Indianapolis residence of of 1845, the administrators of his Negro of rather plucky disposition James and Amy Overall on the tri­ will, black abolitionist John G. who had some sons as willing to angle bounded by West and Michi­ Britton and Overall’s widow fight as any white man could be.”33 gan Streets and Indiana Avenue. It Evaline, advertised in the estate The historian was no doubt referring is now the location of businesses and sale: “One two-horse wagon, two to the Friday evening in March apartments. sets of Harness, one Jackscrew, cut­ 1836, a year after the fugitives In 1835 a long continuing distinct ting box, and Shovel Plow.” A would have passed through black neighborhood was beginning shovel plow did the kind of work Indianapolis, when the gang rioted to form in this general area of In­ today done by bulldozers or power against the black population.34 dianapolis for about 35% of the Af­ shovels. The religious affiliation of Overall had heard of the planned rican-American population. An­ the Overalls is not known. Sepa­ assault in advance. He warned civic other 35% lived on the near south rate black church structures in In­ leader and lawyer Calvin Fletcher side of Indianapolis but were soon dianapolis came after 1835, but ser­ the day before. Blacks were ready displaced by advancing business vices in homes could have occurred for the attacks.35 It is not known construction. Another 30%, prob­ earlier. The exact dates of death and whether Overall’s help to fugitive ably in servant roles, lived in the ho­ places of burial of the Overalls and slaves was suspected by the gang tels and homes where many worked their children are unknown.29 and was a factor in the assault. In along Washington Street, the Na­ The oldest child of James and any event the gang, likely somewhat tional Road.28 Amy who came to Calvin Fletcher intoxicated, tried to break into The Overalls’ places and dates of for help in March 1836, was prob­ Overall’s home, and Overall birth have not been found, but from ably Andrew Jackson (or “A. J.”) wounded Allensworth by firing a census records James Overall seems Overall. He remained in Indianapo­ shotgun. These events are no doubt to have been bom about the time of lis for some years. He was a barber why another historian referred to the American Revolution, possibly and an antislavery activist, twice Overall as a “resolute man with a in Virginia or North Carolina, from serving as secretary of the Indiana number of white friends.”36 whence a number of African Ameri­ Negro Conventions. Early the next morning Overall cans came to Indiana. Thomas Overall, who at age sent his son across town to see In the 1820 census James Over­ twenty-six joined Indiana’s Twenty- Calvin Fletcher. Fletcher sent the all was identified as residing in Eighth U. S. Colored Troop, was son back with a message urging Harrison County, the location of probably James Overall’s son or Overall to continue to defend him­ Corydon. By the 1830 census, he stepson. He enrolled in the regi­ self. Then Fletcher had his hired resides in Marion County, the site ment when it was reorganized after man arm himself, got the constable of Indianapolis. These records in­ the disastrous Battle of the Crater to join them, and led an accumulat­ dicate that Overall would have been in July 1864. Overall enlisted at ing posse westward along East over age sixty and his wife Amy Frankfort in August 1864. He was Washington Street. The citizenry over age forty at the time they shel­ a bounty substitute for W. P. stopped to confer and were joined tered the slaves. No record of the Bingham, a white Indianapolis jew­ by Dr. John L. Richmond who had marriage of James and Amy in In­ eler. The disposition of that enlist­ checked Allensworth’s wounds. diana has been found. Amy presum­ ment is not clear, for he then enlisted The laconic doctor reported that he ably died in the late 1830s. In 1841 for one year in Company G of the “thought [Allensworth] not mortally a white Presbyterian minister in Twenty-eighth in March 1865 and wounded.” Discussion by the group Frankfort united James and Evaline was mustered out at Corpus Christi, then turned to buying out Burkhart George (about age forty-three) in Texas, in November 1865.30 James, and getting him to leave town.37 marriage. Amy, and Evaline Overall could not Evidently this failed, because Overall’s trade is unknown, but write,31 but their son, A. J. was lit­ Burkhart seems to have been an on­ he may have worked with horses and erate. 32 looker during the racist killing of may have been a hostler or livery­ A gang of hard-drinking white John Tucker nine years later.38 man or engaged in moving soil for mffians known as the, “chain gang” During this street conference the road or excavation projects. The inhabited Indianapolis during the Overall’s son came again to Fletcher wooded location of the Overalls’ 1830s. Members included David and expressed Overall’s fear of an­ probable 1835 home at the north­ Burkhart, David Leech, Daniel other mob attack. Fletcher sent the west comer of the Mile Square was Burke, a n d ______Allensworth. son back with advice to Overall to near horse, coach, and wagon traf­ One historian reported that the leave his house and to come into fic on the newly cut Michigan Road Burkhart gang in 1836 “frequently town in a roundabout way and give to Logansport and just west of the sacked Negro houses and abused himself up.39 Overall likely did this. soon to be excavated Central Canal their inmates, and kept the northwest No evidence has turned up that 5 criminal charges were filed against Brave (Los Angeles: The Ward Ritchie ties o f Pennsylvania (Lancaster, Pennsyl­ anyone, but the lawlessness alarmed Press, 1953), ix, 6, 12-16, 75-85. vania: Lancaster Journal Office, 1883), 183- the white community. That evening 5 Loguen, 323-24; letter from Martha Bow­ 190: Madison County Deed Records 1,455, a mass meeting was held, the town ers of the Washington County Historical 664-66; Minutes, &C. o f the Indiana Anti- Society, 6 August 1999; Levi Coffin, Remi­ was divided into wards, and area Slavery Society of Indiana (Milton, Ind.: niscences of Levi Coffin (Cincinnati: The citizen police were appointed. 12 Sept. 1838), 1,4; The Liberator, 13 Oc­ Robert Clarke Company, 1876), 471; Gayle tober 1843 (White letter); National Anti- These were, the first police in the Thornbrough, ed., The Diary of Calvin Slavery Standard, 19 October (Bradbum town.40 Fletcher, vol. I, 1817-1838 (Indianapolis: letter), 7 September , 2 November 1843, Apparently these steps were not Indiana Historical Society, 1972), 231-47 15 February 1844 (Edwin Fussell letters); reassuring enough for the Overalls. (hereafter cited as Fletcher)-, Loguen, 328. Joseph B. Lewis’s account in Graceanna They sold their property thirteen 6 Loguen, 304-6,308; Recorder of Harrison Lewis, “Anti-Slavery Reminiscences,” days later,41 and Overall went to County, Tract Book (Corydon), 42, 73. Friends' Intelligencer and Journal, n.d., 7 Loguen, 310-17. The author is not able court and signed for a peace bond 398; Edwin Neal Fussell, Fussell Family to identify the location of the generous Genealogy (New York, 1891) in folder in against Leech. He may also have couple. Their vernacular in the narrative is the Indiana Room, Anderson Public Li­ obtained a peace bond against colloquial but not necessarily Quaker. brary; Logan Esarey, History o f Indiana Burke. The sworn affidavit pre­ 8 Loguen, 317-18; Washington County From Its Exploration to 1922 (Dayton, sented a novel legal question be­ Deed Records G: 10, Salem Western Anno­ Ohio: Dayton Historical Publishing Co., cause African Americans were not tator, 6 April 1833, advertisement, p. 4; Coy 1924) vol. 1, 403; Wilbur H. Siebert, The allowed to testify against whites. D. Robbins, Reclaiming African American Underground Railroad From Slavery To Heritage at Salem, Indiana (Bowie, Mary­ The court was not ready to confront Freedom (New York: Russell & Russell, land: Heritage Books, 1995), 36,42; James the civil rights question but found a 1898), 431-32. E. Bolding, Combined Census Index for 15 Loguen, 333-39; Minutes, &C. of the In­ creative distinction, holding that the Washington County, Indiana, vol. 3, L-Z diana Anti-Slavery Society o f Indiana, 12 case could proceed since signing an 1820-1910 (Salem, Indiana: Washington Sept. 1838), 1; CoyD. Robbins, Black Pio­ affidavit was not the same as testi­ County Historical Society, 1994), 1028; neers in Indiana (Bloomington. Indiana: In­ fying. History o f . . . Washington Counties, 1884 diana African American Historical and Ge­ ENDNOTES (Paoli, Indiana: Stout’s Print Shop, 1965), nealogical Society, 1990), 1; [Rev. Thomas Note: Locations cited are in Indiana unless 827; Warder W. Stevens, Centennial His­ Dean] Arthington Papers Logansport, ca. otherwise referenced. tory of Washington County, Indiana (India­ 1987,4597: JehuZ. Powell, ed., History of napolis: B. F. Bowen, 1916), 654. 1 Eliza G. Browning, Lockerbie Assessment Cass County, Indiana (Chicago: The Lewis 9 Loguen, 318-320; Registration of Ne­ List o f Indianapolis, 1835: Indiana Histori­ Publishing Company, 1913; Unigraphic, groes and Mulattoes, Jackson County, cal Society Publications, vol. 4, no. 7, (In­ Inc. Reprint, 1972), 320: J[acob] P[iatt] 1853-1858, Jackson County Clerk’s Office, dianapolis: IHS, 1909) 397-434. Dunn, Jr., Indiana: A Redemption From Brownstown; Jackson County Pioneer 2 “Journal of Ebenezer Mattoon Chamber- Slavery (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Homestead Settlers (Seymour, Indiana: lain, 1832-35,” Indiana Magazine o f His­ Company, 1888, new and enlarged ed., Jackson County Historical Society, 1972), tory 15 (1919): 233, at 244; Hugh 1905), 438-39. 115; Ruth M. Slevin, compiler, Report of McCulloch, Men and Measures of Half a 16 Loguen, 340-41. Blacks and Mulattos in Indiana, 1860 (In­ Century (New York: Scribner’s, 1888), 71; 17 Loguen, 351. dianapolis: Indiana State Library Geneal­ Jermain Loguen, The Rev. J. W. Loguen as 18 Oberlin in Ohio and the Oneida Institute ogy Division, 1981), 77; The Liberator, 20 a Slave and as a Freeman (Syracuse, N. in New York State share the honor of being October 1843, 26 January 1844. The leg­ Y.: J. G. K. Truair, 1859), 323, (hereafter the first operating biracial academies or endary “means of information” (grapevine) cited as Loguen); Carol M. Hunter, To Set manual training schools. New Canaan o f African Americans in the period is de­ the Captives Free (New York: Garland Academy in New Hampshire was earlier, tectable in Loguen through its many oblique Publishing, Inc., 1993), 209, etseq. Lan­ but white residents removed the building references to later events in Tennessee, Ken­ guage quoted from Loguen in this article as soon as blacks enrolled. Oneida floun­ tucky, Indiana, Michigan and Ontario, is in italics. dered in the 1840s but Oberlin College still which Loguen somehow learned about in 3 Loguen, 296. In Tennessee, Loguen met thrives. Paul Goodman, O f One Blood - the decades after his December 1834 flight a ten-year-old white boy who had lived in Abolitionism and the Origins of Racial from Tennessee. Illinois and he challenged the boy into re­ Equality (Berkeley, California: University 10 Loguen, 304-06. vealing that Illinois was a free state. Loguen, o f California Press. 1998), 147-48; Howard 11 Pen Bogard of the Filson Club, Louis­ 227. H. Bell, “Free Negroes of the North, 1830- 4 Loguen, 305-7, 309; Matilda Gresham, ville, Kentucky, has constructed a database 1835," Journal o f Negro Education, vol. 26 2 vols., Life o f Walter Quintin Gresham o f about 2,500 fugitive slave ads appearing (Autumn, 1957), 447, 451. (1919; reprint, Freeport, New York: Books in antebellum Louisville newspapers. 19 Loguen, 352-380; Edward Magdol, The for Libraries Press, 1970), 1:80-91; Ronald Bogard checked this database 29 Septem­ Antislavery, Rank and File: A Social Pro­ Baker, Homeless, Friendless and Penniless: ber 1999, and was unable to find an ad for file o f the Abolitionists ’ Constituency (New The WPA Interviews with Former Slaves a reward for the capture of Jermain York, N. Y.: Greenwood Press, 1986), 45- Living in Indiana (Bloomington: Indiana Logue(n) or John Famey. 46. The AME Church began in Philadel­ University Press, 2000), 237-238; informa­ 12 Loguen, 323. phia and the AME Zion Church began later tion from Maxine Brown, Corydon descen­ 13 Loguen, 324. in New York City. Loguen bemoaned the dant of fugitive slave Alford Brown; Earl 14 Loguen, 333; Samuel Harden, The Pio­ separation of the denominations. Douglass O. Saulman, Blacks in Harrison County, In­ neer (Greenfield, Indiana: William Mitchell began his speaking career in the AME Zion diana: A History (Corydon: Earl O. Printing Company, 1895), 10-11; Dr. Rob­ church in New Bedford, Massachusetts in Saulman, 1999), 15, 21, 43, 61, 72; Ben­ ert C. Smedley, History of the Underground 1839. Religious himself, Douglass was jamin S. Harrison, Fortune Favors the Railroad in Chester and Neighboring Coun­ noted for his parodies o f preachers sympa­ 6 thetic to slavery. To Set the Captives Free, for the published exchange of letters, which 31 They signed deeds with an “X.” DR 226 and generally; Weekly Afro-American, Loguen capitalized upon with its abolition­ G:279, Marion County; Deed Records 5 April 1862; Frederick Douglass Autobi­ ist publicity message. The transaction never 1:221, Hamilton County. ographies (New York: Library of America, worked out even though an agent of Loguen 32 He signed his name on mortgages and 1994), 361-62 (in the 1855 My Bondage and and his supporters traveled to Tennessee to deeds. See endnote 30. My Freedom); James Monroe, Oberlin purchase Cherry singly, Loguen, 209; see 33 Fletcher, Vol. I, 322-323; Jacob Piatt Thursday Lectures (Oberlin, Ohio: E. J. endnote 22. Dunn, Jr., Greater Indianapolis (Chicago: Goodrich, 1897), 67-68. 25 Douglass revealed his identity, but not The Lewis Publishing Company, 1910) Vol. 20 Loguen’s Methodist friends in Ontario his escape details, in his first autobiogra­ 1, 116, 241: Holloway, 53. influenced the conceiving o f his new name, phy, Narrative o f the Life of Frederick 34. Fletcher. Vol. I, 322-23, 18-19 March “Jermain Wesley Loguen,” Loguen, 341. Douglass, an American Slave, Written by 1836. “Jermain” was his given name. “Wesley” Himself (Boston: Anti-Slavery Office, 35 Ibid., 322; Holloway, 53. reflected the schism of strongly abolition­ 1845). He then went abroad for safety and 36 Fletcher, vol. I, 323; Dunn, I, 116. ist Wesleyans from the orthodox Method­ to spread the antislavery gospel and raise 37 Fletcher, vol. I, 323. ist Church. “Loguen” reflected self-identi­ money. Douglass consented to his British 38 Dunn,vol. I, 241. fication, a little disguised adaptation o f his sponsors buying his freedom in 1846 and 39 Fletcher, vol. I, 323. Tennessee white slaveholding father’s was perceived as straying from the high 40 Ibid., 323-324. name, “Logue.” Loguen’s bold ridicule of ground by some white American abolition­ 41 Marion County Deed Records G:279 (1 slavery laws and his relative safety in Syra­ ists. Douglass replied to one such critic, April 1836). cuse are illustrated by this newspaper squib, Henry C. Wright, with a public letter from Part 2 o f this article will appear in the No­ undoubtedly inserted by Loguen: “UN­ abroad defending him, while successful pur­ vember 2001 issue of Black History News DERGROUND RAILROAD — the under­ chase arrangements were underway in the & Notes. ground railroad occasionally brings out rich United States. Frederick Douglass Auto­ things. Yesterday a beautiful mulatto biographies, 377-78 (in the 1855 My Bond­ woman from the Maryland shore near Bal­ age and My Freedom), Liberator, 29 Janu­ timore called upon Mr. Loguen. She was a ary 1847. fugitive from high life slavedom...” Then 26 William R. Holloway, Indianapolis. A Freetown Village ensues a tale o f the woman’s flight and how Historical and Statistical Sketch of the Freetown Village is a living her new husband had passed through the Railroad City (Indianapolis: Indianapolis history museum that presents the Loguen Underground Railroad station ear­ Journal Print, 1870), 53. history of blacks in the Old Ward lier, hence they could be reunited. Daily 27 Berry R. Sulgrove, History of India­ Standard, 19 December 1856. Another napolis and Marion County, Indiana (Phila­ Four area of Indianapolis during the story was in the form of a “semi-annual re­ delphia: L. H. Everts & Co., 1884), 90. year 1870. Freetown Village is port of the Underground Railroad in Syra­ 28 Marion County Deed Records C: 532 (26 preparing to establish a permanent cuse” in the Daily Standard, 12 October April 1832); Marion County Deed Records exhibition in the new Indiana State 1858. Loguen’s friend Douglass, in his edi­ C 279(1 April 1836); Browning, Lockerbie Museum that is scheduled to open torial capacity, collaborated in the leg-pull­ Assessment List of Indianapolis, 1835 (In­ in May 2002. This space will allow ing of slaveholders: “Mr. Loguen’s Card:... diana Historical Society Publications, vol. I will report.... the numbers o f fugitives that 4, no. 7, Indianapolis, 1909), 397-434. visitors to obtain a better I have sheltered and found homes for....” 29 Names o f Persons Enumerated in Marion understanding of what it was like to Douglass Monthly, March 1859. County, Indiana in the Fifth Census (Indi­ be African American in 1870. The 21 To Set the Captives Free, 167, estimates ana Historical Society Publications, 4, No. exhibition will explore the ideas of that 1,300 to 1,500 fugitive slaves passed 5. Indianapolis, 1908), 370; Indiana Mar­ citizenship, freedom, and culture through Loguen’s station in Syracuse, New riages through 1850, Indiana State Library through such topics as slavery, York, in the 1850s. Loguen opposed per­ Genealogy Division; 1850 Census, Center manent emigration to Canada because of its Township, Marion County, Indiana, 259; emancipation, and the Civil Rights similarity to colonization. The Liberator, 15 Civil War Records, Indiana State Archives: Movement. Although Freetown April 1853. Marriage Records, Clinton County Histori­ Village is set in Indianapolis, the 22 The Liberator, 27 April 1860, reproduces cal Society; Rev. Otis A. Smith, History of exhibition has a state and national the letters exchanged. the First Presbyterian Church of Frankfort, focus throughout. 23 After passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Indiana (Frankfort: Presbyterian Church of The re-creation of the fictional Law , a slave residing in Syracuse, New Frankfort, 1888), 9-10. “Administrators’ village will allow visitors to visit a York, Jerry McHenry (or Henry) was ap­ Notice” and “Administrators Sale” notices, prehended and an abolitionist mob stormed Indiana State Journal, 31 December 1845,4. barbershop, courtroom, school, the police holding area and spirited Jerry 30 Report o f a Meeting o f the Colored Citi­ church, and a domestic porch. The away to Canada. Loguen was thought to zens o f Indiana, 17 January 1842, in Philip village will represent the years be one of the culprits and, at the urging of S. Foner and George E. Walker, eds, Pro­ 1870-1900, and thus the images and friends, he moved to Canada. After his re­ ceedings o f the Black State Conventions, artifacts should represent this time turn to Syracuse the prosecution against him 1840-1865 (Philadelphia: Temple Univ. period. In its efforts to make the vil­ was dismissed. To the delight of fervent Press, 1979), vol. 1, 173-75, 176-177; The abolitionists, the affair generated vast na­ Diary o f Calvin Fletcher, vol. Ill, 1844- lage as authentic as possible the tional publicity and Loguen and others ex­ 1847,335,436; “Indiana Marriages through museum is requesting help with tended the life o f this publicity by holding 1850,” Indiana State Library Genealogy obtaining several images and arti­ annual celebrations of the event during the Division; 1850 Census, Center Township, facts. The items do not have to be a 1850s. To Set the Captives Free, 122, et seq. Marion County, Indiana, 259; “Civil War permanent gift but can be a loan. The 24 Loguen and his mother, bom Jane but Records, ” Indiana State Archives; Coy D. nicknamed Cherry, had the same mistress Robbins, African American Soldiers From photographs can be scanned or a in Tennessee. Loguen tried to buy Cherry’s Indiana With the Union Army in the Civil negative can be made from the origi­ freedom, but the mistress insisted that War, 1863-1865 (Bloomington, Indiana: C. nal so that the images can be re­ Loguen’s, as well as Cherry’s freedom, D. Robbins, 1989), 2; Fletcher, volume turned promptly. could not be purchased. This set the stage VIII, 1863-1864, 335. Museum staff seek newspaper 7 clippings and photos; work tools, than to come to school while the especially barber tools; farm epidemic was raging. Would like <130 YOWuJiUf Ons-o., equipment; clothes and school- __ . . to see France and its inhabitants. ____)Vny. 7 ..!

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