Speakers: Jeff and Alicia Rasley
A history of the development, routes, and working of how fleeing enslaved people made their way through Indiana to Canada, or stayed in Indiana prior to the Civil War. Conductors and communities who 'ran' the Underground Railroad will be described, as will the special involvement of Quakers, freed slaves, and abolitionists. Pictures will be shown, which were taken by Jeff's and Alicia's travels around Indiana for their book project about Indiana small towns.
Jeff is the current president of the Scientech Foundation and former president of the Scientech Club. Alicia is an adjunct professor of English at Everglades University.
Program: Indiana’s Underground Railroad
Speakers: Jeff and Alicia Rasley, Jeff: JD, teacher, author, past Club president and current Foundation president, Alicia: MA, adjunct professor of English, Everglades University, professional writer, novelist and much more
Introduced By: Chris Moore
Attendance: NESC: 141, Zoom: 39
Guest(s): Kathy Rosenberg, Pam Hilton, Piero Madar, Laura Chesebrough, Ed Morris, Terri and Tom Vahey, Diondra Craig, Sallu Pierson, John Shaefer, Karen Shaefer, Bily Blyth, Bob Mrzolach, Susan Mrzlach, Jane Langan, Mike Miller, Nancy Miller,
Scribe: Judy Weitzman
Editor: Bill Elliott
Talk’s Zoom recording found at: https://www.scientechclubvideos.org/zoom/05112026.mp4
The speakers were husband and wife, Jeff and Alicia Rasley. Jeff is a retired attorney and is the current president of the Scientech Foundation. Alicia is a semi-retired college educator. Both are prolific writers and are coordinating their efforts on a book about small towns in Indiana. One of the chapters in that book will deal with the history of the Underground Railroad in Indiana.
The Underground Railroad began in the 1810’s and was especially important in the fight against slavery in the USA. Organizers were highly influenced by lessons from the European Enlightenment Period as well as the US Declaration of Independence that emphasized that “all men are created equal.” The Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850 made it illegal to assist escaped slaves, so the Underground Railroad needed to remain covert.
This hidden path to safety and freedom, although known as a railway, had no train stations, railcars, or distinguishable paths. Volunteers, known as agents, pilots and conductors helped people escape enslavement by escorting them along escape routes and hiding them in their own homes – known as way stations.
A separate vocabulary of coded words helped protect the secrecy of the Underground Railroad. The
Big Dipper (whose "bowl" points to the North Star) was known as the "drinking gourd". The Railroad was often known as the "freedom train" and Canada was called "the Promised Land." The Ohio River was known as the River Jordan.
Indiana became an important hub for a couple of reasons. Its geography was easy to cross. Quaker and Methodist communities were deeply involved in its operations, and the Hoosier State was progressive in terms of abolition. The Indiana Constitution, adopted in 1816, outlawed slavery. Even though slavery was not allowed, the Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850 allowed escaped slaves to be captured in Indiana and returned to their “owners” in slave States.
The Indiana Supreme Court heard a case in 1820. At that time, Polly Strong, an enslaved teenager who had been purchased by Hyacinthe Lasselle in 1806, could no longer be enslaved even though her purchase occurred before the Indiana Constitution was enacted.
As early as 1849 Hoosiers helped establish safe communities for escaped slaves. One example is Lyles Station, founded by Joshua Biles in Gibson County near Princeton. Biles’ efforts led to the establishment of a thriving community with a school, church, and post office, and later became a “station” along the Railroad. It now serves other communities including the Weaver Community near Gaff City, which is still active, and the Prince Hall Masonic Society in Indianapolis.
George Boxley came to Indiana as a fugitive from justice and settled in Sheridan. He had been a slaveowner but became an abolitionist. Boxley was accused of fomenting a slave rebellion in Virginia. For that he was jailed but made his escape with the help of a metal file provided to him by his wife. Boxley, his family, a number of former slaves and Native Americans settled in Sheridan, Indiana in a community that is known now as the first rainbow community mixing different races and cultures. Descendants of that community return annually for reunions.
The Underground Railroad began with a strictly Caucasian group of volunteers. As freedom became accessible for former slaves, they also served as conductors along the Railroad route. For example, Chapman Harris and Elijah Johnson sheltered over 800 escaped slaves in their cabins along the Ohio River. Both faced significant risks, and Anderson served four years in prison for his work.
Music played a vital role in communicating messages among those involved in the Underground Railroad, with songs like “Go Down Moses” and “The Freedom Train” serving as coded messages. Success depended on community involvement and courage. Jeff and Alicia encouraged everyone to get engaged with local history and to recognize the importance of recognizing those who participated in the abolitionist movement.
Jeff and Alicia Rasley
Editor’s Note: Jeff reported that the post-talk book sales generated $250.00 for the Scientech Foundation with three guest attendees wanting to join the Club.
