The Clothing of Slaves Bloomed on Sundays Henry's face lit up when he spotted the mystery girl coming straight toward them, with a friend flanking her on either side--all of them carrying white parasols and all wearing flowered and feathered bonnets. The girl's bonnet...
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,...
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...