Footsteps to Freedom 2001
Reflections on the Railroad

Journal Entries from Our Trip Participants, Posted from the Road

Dayton, Ohio -Paul Lawrence Dunbar Museum-July 30, 2002,

He was a famous African American poet who lived from June 27, 1872, to 1906. He died of tuberculosis. He was the son of a former slave, Joshua Dunbar. He was a prolific writer of poetry. He also wrote novels, short stories, and song lyrics. We visited his former home and graveyard. Several ladies gave us a presentation to honor him and the Underground Railroad. They told us the importance of looking back in history. When he wrote "Little Brown Baby" he caused people to look on African Americans in a new light. Up to that time they had been called porch monkeys and Pickaninees.

He started writing when he was four because he was sad due to the death of his little sister Elizabeth Florence. His father served in the 55th regiment of the Civil War and he wrote about his father's experiences. He owned his own newspaper, "The Daily Tattler," at seventeen. He left over 400 poems, stories, and novels. Dunbar was the first African American to be accepted in literature among whites. He opened the door for others to follow. He lived in Chicago and worked with Frederick Douglas. However he received very little pay. While at the Dunbar house we watched a video about him. He wrote several poems about the role of African Americans in the Civil War. He attended Central High where he was the only African American in attendance. He graduated from Central High and read one of his poems at the graduation ceremony. He published "Oak and Ivy" a collection of poems. "Majors and Minors" was the second published work. He published a novel and several short stories.

His poems portrayed the African American lifestyle and dialect. He revealed them as human beings with a wide range of emotions. He married Miss Alice Moore, a famous writer in her own right. His health declined and he died of tuberculosis at 33. His mother, Matilda, kept his memory alive by turning the home into a historical site. Paul Lawrence Dunbar was buried in the poor section of the Dayton, Ohio Cemetery because he was black. However, his remains and those of his mother have been moved to the nicest section due to the generosity of the Heiss family.

Day 2 An Untold Story...Regina Patton Stell

Today we continued on our journey unveiling the story of the people removed from their homeland to a new foreign country. We heard the story of the reasons behind the need for cheap labor...economical justification for an institution not justifiable. Howevever, we heard the stories of the many heroes, sung and unsung that aided in the freedom for the enslaved Americans. The Levi Collins and Jacob Null families of Springsboro,Ohio created a connection by opening their homes and harboured slaves inspite of the threat of imprisonment. Many of the abolitonists just felt slavery was morally wrong to insist on owning another human. We continued to Dayton, Ohio where we visited the childhood home of Paul Laurence Dunbar. We learned the great magnitude of this great American writer. An interesting fact is he was in the same class with the Wright brothers and is buried within several yards of their family plot. Paul Dunbar published over 400 poems and 200 unpublished... Somehow being here has made history come alive...we must tell this story.

Day Two--by Clara Rodriguez

"Wade by the water, and Steal away home!" What a wonderful legacy of people helping people. Today I partook of that legacy as our Footsteps to Freedom group traveled back in time to Ripley, Ohio. We followed the enslaved African's quest to freedom. Our quest met theirs as we crossed the Ohio River from Kentucky into Ohio.

Once the enslaved men, women, and children crossed the Ohio River their safety was not yet secured. Their passage to freedom depended on the network of people, white and black to lead them to safety on the Underground Railroad. The network of people, willing to put their lives in danger to help their fellowmen were known as Conductors and Stationmasters. Fortunately, there were people who would risk all to help their fellow human beings from the suffering of human bondage.

The story of these anti-slavery heroes is finally told. We as a nation can now be more knowledgeable of our history. John Rankin, a Presbyterian minister, was one of these heroes. His house served as a safe haven for enslaved Africans who made that treacherous journey North, looking for the Freedom Land! John Parker an inventor and businessman of African-American descent, who was born a slave and who later, himself escaped to freedom was one of Ripley's most prolific conductors. His anger and hatred of slavery made him one of the pro-slavery bounty hunters' most wanted men. John Parker crossed the Ohio River hundreds of times to help men and women escape the grip of slavery. In Ripley, Ohio we saw the story of these brave men and women unfold.

"Freedom's light," lies beyond the river, where the sweet warmth of the sun will have a different feel on your body. A feeling of radiance that will envelope you in Heaven's light. This is history that must never be forgotten and it must be told so that we may never again let that bad seed of human bondage touch America's heart again. John Parker, said in his oral biography, "It was not the pain of my body, but the pain of my soul that pushed me to become free!"

Rankin House Thoughts--by Steve Kemmerer

The Rankin House sits on top of a hill overlooking the Ohio River. This station provided a great vantage point to view the river crossing. I can only imagine the excitement and fear that must have been in the minds of the Freedom Seekers when they saw how close they were to a safe haven. The river crossing and hill climb must have been very difficult, and never moved fast enough. As I looked into the tiny attic/hideout, I became even more impressed with the determination and courage the freedom seekers must have had. Even the straw tic-mattress made me realize just how comfortable we have it today.

Ripley, Ohio---by Troy Holland

Today we had the pleasure of going to visit Ripley, Ohio. For myself, I cannot imagine anything else I see on this trip being more important then this city. First, we were introduced to the honorable pastor John Rankin. Pastor Rankin moved his family from Virginia to Ohio in order to help free runaway slaves. Next, we were introduced to John Parker. He was an intellegent exslave who owned his own house in Ripley. Mr. Parker feared no man and as a freed slave helped to free countless number of slaves through the railroad. Finally, we walked down Front Street. Front Street was the street in Ripley which ran right along the Ohio river line. This street was famous because it seperated slaves from freedom. I loved the day we had and look forward to the days to come.

Day 2 by Judy Sandello

In Springboro, saw a great presentation from the Springboro Historical Society. Actors dressed in period clothing portrayed a Quaker and a Freedom Seeker. By the time they were done, there weren't many dry yes in the place! It was very moving. We then got on the bus and saw many safe houses. We also
saw the oldest house in Warren County which was built in 1798. What a great way to learn about history!