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What Was the Underground Railroad?Read the article this discussion is about
This archived discussion is "read only". « Previous 1 2 3 Next » » H2O - Thanks for all the welcomes! I'm glad I'm welcomed with open arms.When I originally scanned through Amazon.com for used books on the UGRR I found "Hidden in Plain View" and decided to buy that as well. My mom has been a quilter and I may give her the book (or buy her a copy) at some point in the future. So why is a white guy doing this topic? Well, I got interested since I learned a great-great-great uncle (through marriage) was involved. He will be the next feature on this forum. Captain Jonathan Walker attempted to aid seven slaves in gaining freedom by sailing to the Bahamas. They were caught south of present day Miami and Walker received a unique punishment. But I won't let out all the details. I then found out an Alvin Oickle in Massachussetts wrote a book entitled "Jonathan Walker: The Man With the Branded Hand" (OK, I gave away the unique punishment). I tracked Al down and got a copy to review on BookIdeas.com. I became intrigued and decided Walker's story needed to make the silver screen. I asked Mr. Oickle about a collaboration, but his wife has been battling cancer (Note: Keep Lois Oickle in your prayers) and has been working on other projects, but offered assistance to my efforts. Slowly but surely the screenplay is taking shape (as well as an outline should A&E want to do a documentary--and who knows? Monday I will do lunch with a documentarian about Luther and Karlstadt after he read my piece here on Suite!). Anyway, I started learning more about the UGRR. Seems Walker might have operated a "station" when he lived here in Wisconsin at a place then known as Winooski (on the Onion River). It is west of Plymouth, WI, and has a historical marker showing where the settlement stood. Local legend has it that there was a trench deep enough to hide a man in the Walker orchard. I decided I would like to try to write a TV script on the UGRR, since there are many compelling stories and tales of escape--as well as tragedy--that need to be told. I created a web site to help organize my thoughts on the Walker screenplay; when Suite allowed multiple topics by editors, I figured the marriage of topic and Suite couldn't and shouldn't be missed. And who knows whose eye I could catch? Speaking of local lore and legend, I invite readers to share such local lore and legend if such exists in their area. I will accredite all sources. I believe this is a topic that has had a national impact as well as colorful local impact. Traute, where can I get a 48-hour clock? It would certainly give me more time for my projects. ;) So, anyway, thanks again all for the warm welcome! It looks like there's a good group of us ready to explore this unique aspect of American history. And if any readers are NOT from the United States, feel free to read, opine, contribute, ask questions, etc. Have movements such as this existed in other nations that had slavery? It would be nice to know. All aboard! john -- posted by H2O » Mary Trotter Kion - Underground RR Hi John, This is great! Also one of my favorite historical subjects as I am writing a historical novel with the U-ground RR in it.Thanks, Mary -- posted by Mary Trotter Kion » Nichel - Great Article... Hi John,I really enjoyed your researched article on the history of the underground railroad. You have done an excellent job in capturing a past that never should be forgotten. Thank you for that. Your article will be a wonderful addition to BHM 2003. All the best, -- posted by Nichel » carpetbagger - Re: Underground RR I was under the impression that a majority of slaves were in bondage on smaller farms. I read in an article that the large plantations like those featured in "Gone With The Wind" were the exception rather than the rule.-- posted by carpetbagger » H2O - Re: Re: Underground RR In response to message posted by carpetbagger:I would have to look into that, but could very well be. Today more people work for small businesses than work for mega-corporations. I would imagine in the ante-bellum South with little mechanization there were many more small farms than large plantations. There was also a heirarchy among slaves. A plantation slave considered him/herself better than a "white trash" slave. john -- posted by H2O » Wrap10 - Re: Re: Re: Re: Underground RR Hey, was the Civil War topic resurrected? I need to go over and subscribe. Thanks for stopping by!John, Yes, we're up and running over there and arguing away. We also have a chat twice a week in the history room, on Tuesday and Saturday nights at 9:00 eastern time. You're more than welcome to stop by. In fact, what would you think about having one of our upcoming Saturday chats focus on the Undergound Railroad? I think it is a good fit with the war. Folks could join in and ask questions of you in real time and learn a little more about this very intersting subject. Just a thought, but you're very welcome to join us. -- posted by Wrap10 » Wrap10 - Re: Re: Underground RR In response to message posted by carpetbagger:I was under the impression that a majority of slaves were in bondage on smaller farms. I read in an article that the large plantations like those featured in "Gone With The Wind" were the exception rather than the rule. As I understand it, most slave owners were indeed small farmers - owning less than 20 slaves as a general rule - whereas most slaves were located on larger plantations. Put another way, if you were a slave owner in the Old South you were more likely to have been a small farmer, whereas if you were a slave there, you were more likely to have been on a larger plantation. -- posted by Wrap10 « Previous 1 2 3 Next » Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion. |
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