Slave Patrols and Passes Aimed to Keep Slaves Under Control Henry made his way north through the dark alleys behind the buildings along Fourteenth Street. The darkness was heavy like a tomb, giving Henry a dread sense of confinement. It was a closing in, a boxing in,...
How the Church Helped Bring Down the Berlin Wall With the last name of "Fuhrer,"Â he made an unlikely German hero. His full name was Christian Fuhrer, and this pastor led a movement that helped to bring down East Germany and the Berlin Wall. They called it "the...
Canton, Ohio, Embraces The Disappearing Man There's something about Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio, is home of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, where I first discovered the story of Henry "Box"Â Brown and his incredible escape from slavery. Now, Canton,...
Richmond Was Not Gone With the Wind I did a flurry of radio interviews a few weeks back just prior to my book signing at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. And one of the longest interviews was with Alan Jarand from the RFD Radio Network out of...
Lumpkin's Jail: One of the Most Notorious Sites in the South Samuel kept his eye out for the red flag, which announced that a slave auction was in progress, drawing people like flies. If he found the red flag, he might find Nancy Brown and her children. Samuel made...
Music Links Henry Brown to 21st Century Abolitionists Henry couldn't help but notice her. He hadn't seen the girl before in the church choir, but there she was, rocking and swaying and stepping with the music….Henry stole another look down the row. The girl did...
Teenager’s Death on the Wall is Still Remembered Almost 50 Years Later Two teenage boys made a mad dash out of a deserted building, and the guards opened fire with automatic weapons from about fifty yards away. The boys made it safely over the hinterland fence, and...
Springfield's Paper Tells of Henry Brown, Upcoming Book Signing When you walk into the Plaza at the entrance of the Abraham Lincoln Museum, you will see a log cabin to your left, while straight ahead is a replica of the south portico of the White House--two very...
The Search for 'Biologically Superior' People Brings Ludicrous (and Dangerous) Results In the 1920s, pigs, sheep, and other farm animals weren't the only creatures bringing home blue ribbons from the fair. So were humans. Starting at the Kansas Free Fair, people...
Replica box gives a taste of Henry's ordeal Standing next to the box, Samuel grinned and held out his hand, like a coachman motioning to the open door of a carriage. "Your coffin awaits." With the gimlet and water in hand, Henry stepped carefully into the box and...