The+UGRR+in+Princeton+and+Ottawa

**The UGRR in Princeton and Ottawa** Original Author: Jenna Bounds, ENG206 SP10 Revision Author:  Although there is little information about the involvement of the immediate Quad City area in the movement known as the Underground Railroad, there were several routes nearby. Geneseo and Galesburg seem to be the closest towns with confirmation of Underground Railroad activity. Two other towns of importance along this trail were Princeton and Ottawa, both east of the Quad Cities, on path toward the Chicago area (after which, they kept moving towards Canada). The Mississippi River saw quite a bit of action regarding the slave trade and escaped slaves, as popular trading posts were located along the river in the south, and also because slaves running towards freedom saw the banks of the river in Illinois as a symbol of impending freedom (freedomtrails2legacies.org).  Owen Lovejoy, of Princeton IL, seems to be very well-known in regards to his efforts with the Underground Railroad. Although not born in Illinois, Lovejoy came to Princeton to become a minister. Lovejoy was also a fairly well-known politician; he was elected to the House of 1854. He used both of these positions, in the pulpit at church and in his seat in the House, to let the world know that he was an abolitionist. Not only that, but an abolitionist who was willing to help slaves escape. An excerpt from one of Lovejoy’s speeches to Congress in 1859 proves this well: Owen Lovejoy … aids every fugitive that comes to his door and asks it. Proclaim it then from the housetops. Write it on every leaf that trembles in the forest, make it blaze from the sun at high noon …I bid you defiance in the name of my God! (nps.gov)  This attitude seems to be fairly representative of many of the people willing to help fugitives – they believed ** very ** strongly (mainly, because of their religious convictions) that slavery was absolutely wrong, and that they would do everything they could to undermine it.  Lovejoy became absolutely committed to the cause after witnessing his brother’s death at the hands of an angry pro-slavery crowd in Alton, Il (his brother, whose name was Elijah, had been the editor of an abolitionist newspaper). Lovejoy suffered persecution at the hands of the law, himself, because he was consistently breaking the Federal Fugitive Slave Act (nps.gov). Slaves who were lucky enough to have been helped by Lovejoy were known as “riding” the “Lovejoy Line”. He gave them help, direction, and shelter. Ever true to the cause, Lovejoy also served in the military as a colonel after the states’ disagreements over this issue escalated into a full-blown war. He died of illness at the young age of 53 (lovejoyhomestead.com).  Although Lovejoy’s offered help and shelter through his home, he undoubtedly offered much more than that. One can speculate that, because of his job as a minister and his fervent beliefs in compassion and equality, Lovejoy and his family also provided prayers and encouragement for those fugitives passing through, as well. In a time when blacks were treated and hunted down like animals, both types of support were vital. This important stop on the Underground Railroad currently belongs to the city of Princeton and functions as a museum, as well as being included on the list of National Historic Landmarks (lovejoyhomestead.com).  It is quite possible that slaves who “rode the Lovejoy Line” would make their next stop in Ottawa, IL, at the home of John Hossack. Unlike Lovejoy, Hossack, was not a largely influential public figure. A Scottish immigrant, Hossack had worked in Chicago before coming to Ottawa, where he was part of the lumber business and grain trade (nps.gov). Regardless of his status, Hossack used his large home to house several slaves who were working towards getting to their next destination. Like Lovejoy, Hossack was technically a criminal himself, for violating the Fugitive Slave Act and Illinois’ “’Black Law’, which forbade most African Americans from living in the state” (nps.gov). Hossack, like the dozens of other brave abolitionists who helped fugitives to freedom, put themselves in jeopardy with their actions. The punishment for those caught aiding runaway slaves was nothing light – violation of the Fugitive Slave Act was punishable by 6 months in prison and a $1,000 fine (economicexpert.com). Those threats didn’t stop Hossack. He was “one of several Ottawans charged and convicted in Federal Court in Chicago for violating the Fugitive Slave law” (www.nps.org). According to Turner’s book, Hossack was sentenced to ten days in jail and required to pay a $100 fine, along with court fees in that totaled nearly $600 (47). Turner also writes that the mayor of Chicago, which was usually the destination of runaways passing through Hossack’s town, encouraged true patriots to visit Hossack and the others in jail, and even to pay their fines for them (47). Even though it cost Hossack a great deal personally to be involved with the Underground Railroad, he didn’t give up. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">**Works Cited** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“Aboard the Underground Railroad: The Owen Lovejoy House” [|www.nps.gov]. Accessed 08 May 2010. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“Freedom Trails: Legacies of Hope” [|www.freedomtrails2legacies.org]. 2004. Accessed 08 May 2010. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“Fugitive Slave Law of 1850” [|www.economicexpert.com] Accessed 08 May 2010. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> “Owen Lovejoy Homestead: A National Historic Landmark” [|www.owenlovejoyhomestead.com]. 2002. Accessed 08 May 2010. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Return to UGRR <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Return to Home