Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad

By: Lyall and Batel

Escaping Slavery

Slavery has been part of America for many years. Quakers are people who didn't believe in slavery. Some of them helped African Americans escape slavery through a network of trails. Rewards were posted for capture of slaves and laws were passed to stop the Underground "Railroad". Read for more information if you would like.

Multiple Choice

The underground railroad is _________________.

• A railroad underground

• A network of trails

• A Quaker

• Useless info

Multiple Choice

A quaker is a _____________.

• African American

• A slave owner

• A duck

• A person who doesn't believe in slaves

William's Escape

He worked for a merchant as a slave. William met Thomas Smith who was a free black man, and tried to ship himself out to escape. He decided to ship himself up a river, then conceal himself and run. His guide made a map for him to reach the meeting place, and when he reached cabins, he thought the one with white stones in a circle was the safehouse.

Callie's Escape

Back in 1858, many industries became useless, and slaves were sold. An overseer was a boss of slaves. Callie lived on a plantation. She knew she would be sold just like her parents, and thought that would be her chance to escape. A guide was that moss grew on the north side of trees which helped her run. Slaves had no maps and traveled at night. Callie started only miles from the first safehouse. Her lungs were very exhausted the first night, and she ate a couple bread crumbs. She sang "Follow the Drinking Gourd" as she ran the next night.

Multiple Choice

What is an overseer? What was an overseer going to do to Callie?

• A boss of slaves. The overseer was going to sell Callie.

• A person who doesn't believe in slaves. The overseer was going to help the slaves escape.

• Someone who works for a government. The overseer was going to arrest Callie

• A boss of slaves who was going to hurt Callie.

• A person who doesn't believe in slaves.

Multiple Choice

How did William try to escape?

• He tried to run away on the road without a way to get out or anything.

• His owner let him go and escape with freedom.

• He tried ran away concealed.

• He tried to ship himself, conceal himself, then run.

William and Callie's Escape Pt.1

Callie got to the safehouse, and she met the guide named Augustus. There also was Seth, Rachel, and Rachel's little son. William came shakily through the forest. It got dark and each of them set off with each other. When William heard something, Callie said it was an owl and laughed. Everyone other than William looked fine in the forest. The songs they and many slaves sang were are of traditions in West Africa. Their owners didn't care because they thought the singing help them work, but it was actually for slaves to send messages to each other.

Multiple Choice

Who did Callie and William meet and set off with?

• Only Seth and Rachael

• Seth, Rachael, Augustus, and Rachael's son

• They went alone.

• Their overseer helped them get through without suspicion.

• Only Seth, Rachael and Augustus

William and Callie's Escape Pt.2

They saw people and stopped. They sang a certain song which meant there were patrols and dogs. Augustus climbed into the (river) bank and the running slaves followed. The went in the river to hide their smell from the dogs. They traveled, and they made it to Ripley, Ohio where many supported slaves and slavery. Although it is dangerous, slaves escaped through this route. William started becoming used to the forest, but still jumped. Augustus guided them through a route, and they sneaked through Washington.

Multiple Choice

Why did Augustus and the other climb into the river bank?

• People and the dogs saw them.

• They were thirsty and needed to drink.

• They needed to get ready to attack the fort of people.

• They needed to hide their smell from the dogs nearby.

William and Callie Escape Pt.3

They got to the Ohio River and were told that John Parker would arrive there at midnight. They waited, and when he came, he brought the female slaves to the Rankin house. He then brought the male slaves to Mr. McCague's house where the chef cooked them smoked ham, green beans, and cider. They were all glad that in the year of 1858, they escaped to freedom.

Multiple Choice

Who came there to get the slaves across the Ohio river and help them escape?

• Augustus

• John Parker

• Mr. McCague

• Chef

More Information

John Parker was a hero during the underground railroad. He lived in Ripley, and bought freedom for himself for $2,000. He made trips across the river to Kentucky.

Reverend John Rankin was a famous abolitionist, and slave owners tried to reward for his capture.

An Underground Railroad code was "Glory to God."

The runaways traveled on canal boats, on Ohio River and Erie Canal. Then, they board a train. Canada is only a few miles from Lake Erie.

It was still dangerous to runaway in Sandusky, Ohio and many fugitives lived there.