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The Underground Railroad, Part 3

by William STILL (1821 - 1902)

11 – Part of the Arrivals in December, 1855

"Never before has the working of the Underground Railroad been so thoroughly explained. Here we have in complete detail the various methods adopted for circumventing the enemies of freedom, and told, as it is, with great simplicity and natural feeling, the narrative is one which cannot but make a deep impression. Thrilling incidents, heroic adventures and noble deeds of self-sacrifice light up every page, and will enlist the heartiest sympathies of all generous souls. It was eminently just that such a record of one of the most remarkable phases of the struggle against slavery should be prepared, that the memory of the noble originators and supporters of the railroad might be kept green, and posterity enabled to form a true conception of the necessity that called it into existence, and of the difficulties under which its work was performed. The labor of compiling could not have fallen into more appropriate or better qualified hands." The Philadelphia Inquirer William Still is often called the Father of the Underground Railroad. Over 14 years, he helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom in Canada. Still was committed to preserving the stories of the bondmen and he kept careful records of the many escaped slaves who passed through the Philadelphia “station”. The Underground Railroad was published in 1871 from Still’s records and diaries. In bringing you these stories, Librivox volunteers are reading from the 1878 edition. (Summary by MaryAnn) Complete list of recordings comprising this book: The Underground Railroad, Part 1, The Underground Railroad, Part 2, The Underground Railroad, Part 3, The Underground Railroad, Part 4, The Underground Railroad, Part 5.

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Listen next episodes of The Underground Railroad, Part 3:
12 – The Fugitive Slave Bill of 1850 , 13 – The Slave Hunting Tragedy in Lancaster County, in September 1851, Part 1 , 14 – The Slave Hunting Tragedy in Lancaster County, in September 1851, Part 2 , 15 – The Slave Hunting Tragedy in Lancaster County, in September 1851, Part 3 , 16 – William and Ellen Craft, Part 1 , 17 – William and Ellen Craft, Part 2 , 18 – Arrivals from Richmond; Passengers from North Carolina , 19 – Thomas Clinton, Sauney Pry and Benjamin Ducket; Arrivals in April 1856 , 20 – Five from Georgetown Cross Roads; Passengers from Maryland; Arrival from Maryland , 21 – Arrival from Washington, D.C., Unionville, Maryland and Cambridge, 1857 , 22 – Benjamin Ross and His Wife Harriet; Arrival from Virginia and Delaware, 1857 , 23 – Arrival from Alexandria and Unionville, 1857 , 24 – From New Orleans, 1857 , 25 – Arrival from Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Georgtown Cross Roads and Alexandria , 26 – Arrival from Maryland, Norfolk, VA, Washington D.C.; Four Able Bodied “Articles” in One Arrival, 1857 , 27 – Arrival from Arlington MD; Five Passengers; Arrival from Howard County MD, Prince George’s County MD, and Rappahannock County , 28 – Arrival from North Carolina, 1857 , 29 – Alfred Hollon, George and Charles N. Rodgers; Arrival from Kent County, Baltimore County; Mary Cooper and Moses Armstead , 30 – Arrival from Near Washington D.D., Hon. L. McLane’s Property, Soon After His Death, Travels Via the Underground Railroad , 31 – Arrival from Harford County, Maryland and Norfolk, VA , 32 – Arrival from Hooperville MD, Maryland; Queen Anne County and Baltimore , 33 – Arrival from Dunwoody County, Alexandria VA, Maryland, Petersburg, Maryland , 34 – Arrival of a Party of Six, 1858 , 35 – Arrival from Richmond, Baltimore, Hightstown and Virginia, 1858