The Underground Railroad
by Tricia Pursell
Imagine the Central Susquehanna Valley during the 19th century: the bustling canal city of Selinsgrove, the rich lumber capital of Williamsport, the small village of an up-and-coming Lewisburg, known for its literary progressiveness and expansion of buildings. Circling it all like a dark cloud was heavy political turmoil, much of it focused on the sensitive issue of slavery. While most people in the Valley seemed somewhat tolerant of both views, extreme views existed on both sides of this controversy. Pro-slavery activists were on the lookout for escaped slaves. They were outspoken about the economic need for slavery and viewed blacks as property.
Some supporters of slavery were quiet about their stance; they saw no way out of the issue, or they owned slaves and were not willing to part with them. And then there were the abolitionists proclaiming, in an echo from the Revolutionary War, the foundational principle of America's existence - that all men are created equal. Frederick Douglass himself gave a speech at a hotel in Williamsport. The abolitionists stirred the hearts of their listeners as they told the horror stories of slavery in the south, often causing violent outbursts from slavery supporters.
Many abolitionists spoke not with words, but with actions, quietly and secretly. They opened their doors to fugitive slaves who were running for their lives. They provided shelters in barns, stables and caves for the slaves' journeys north to Canada. They provided food, a place to sleep, risking their lives in the process. We know little about these people and places that make up what is known as the Underground Railroad, a network that mostly operated from 1830 to 1865. A lot of what we know are assumptions or rumors. But some facts do show that the Pennsylvania heartland has been home to many heroes for the abolitionist cause.
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