Extending the Underground Railroad
At the time of the Kansas border war, John Brown crossed Iowa several times, on his way to Kansas or to the East. His object in going to Kansas was to assist the anti-slavery forces, not to establish a home, and as he passed through Iowa, he established a line of travel for his fugitive slaves. Beginning in the west at Tabor, the line ran north and east to Madison and Dallas counties. This line passed through Earlham - a Quaker settlement - Des Moines, Grinnell, Washington, Crawfordsville, and Muscatine. Near Earlham, to which Quakers from Salem had carried the spirit of Thomas Frazier, Brown established one of his most trusted stations.
A narrative written by Herman Cook, who was a conductor on the road, tells of the incidents of travel along this section of the Underground Railroad.
"After John Brown came through Iowa, stations were known and accounted for. The train started from Tabor, Fremont County, and crossed diagonally Adair County, striking Summit Grove, where Stewart is now located. From here, one line went east down Quaker Divide. (Quaker Divide was a Quaker settlement and meeting known as Bear Creek, five miles northwest of Earlham) and the other crossed the Coon River near Redfield, then through Adel, both coming together in Des Moines.
"Many times, colored men and. women would be seen crossing the prairies from Middle River to Summit Grove - slaves running away to freedom, in the winter of 1859 - 60, [p, 448] Cook was going to Bear Creek driving a carriage, and in it were two young colored women. They were sisters and from the west border of Missouri. Their master was their father and they had both been reared in the family. War was apparent and their master decided to sell them down south. They heard the plotting and found out they were to go on the auction block and made a run for the North Star. They had been on the road seven weeks when they arrived at A. W. L.'s at Summit Grove. (A. W. L. was Alister W. Lewis)
"Before daylight, they were housed at Uncle Martin's. Two days later, one of the sisters, who had been out in the yard, came running in and told grandmother, 'Master is coming up the road,' Grandfather went out in front and sat down in his chair against the side of the door. By this time, a number of men had ridden up, and asked him if he had seen any slaves around. He told them that slaves-were not known in Iowa. Then one of them, said 'I am told that you are an old Quaker, and have been suspected of harboring black folks as they ran away to Canada, I have traced two girls across the country, and have reason to believe that they have been here.' Grandfather said, 'I never turn anyone away who wants lodging, but I keep no slaves." 'Then, I will come in and see,' said the man, and jumped off his horse and started for the house. Grand¬ father stood up with his cane in his hand and stepped into the door when the man attempted, to enter and said, 'Has thee a warrant to search my house?' No, I have not.' 'Then thee cannot do so.' 'But I will show you,' said the man, 'I will search for my girls.'
"While this parley was going on, and loud words were coming thick and fast. Grandmother came up and said, "Father, if the man wants to look through the house let him. do so. Thee ought to know he won't find any slaves here*' [p. 449] Grandfather turned and stared at her a minute, and then said, 'I ask thy forgiveness for speaking so harshly. Thee can go through, the house if mother says so.'
"Grandfather showed, him through all the rooms, but stayed close to him all the time. After satisfying himself that they were not there, he begged the old man's forgiveness, mounted his horse and rode away. When the coast was clear, it was found that when Maggie had rushed in and said, 'Master is coming' Grandmother hastily snatched off the large feather bed, spread it all over them, put on the covers and pillows, patted out the wrinkles, and so no slaves were seen."
The party referred to in the foregoing narrative as Uncle Martin was Martin Cook and his grandfather and grandmother referred to were John and Anna Cook, uncle and grandparents respectively of Harmon Cook.
"One time a load was being taken down the south side of Coon River and had reached the timber on the bluffs near Des Moines. About three o'clock in the morning, as the carriage was leisurely going along, the sound of distant hoofbeats were heard, coming behind. At first it was thought that the carriage could outrun the pursuers, but prudence forbade. A narrow road at one side was hastily followed a few rods, and the carriage Stopped. 'The horseman passed on, swearing, eternal vengeance on the whole 'caboodle' if captured. When sounds were lost in the distance, a dash was made for the depot in Des Moines, and all safely landed before daylight.
Mr. Cook relates that some months after this wild midnight ride, he was coming from Adel on horseback, opposite Mr. Murray's east of Redfield. Here he saw old man Murry and a stranger back of the barn. He was beckoned over. The stranger proved to be Old John Brown of Osawatomie. Murry told Brown that this was the young man that came [p 450] so near being caught on a trip to Des Moines. Brown said, "Young man when you are on the Lord's business, you must be more discreet. You must always listen backwards as you are always followed." He told young Cook that he was responsible for that line of road, and he wanted his conductors to be more careful in the future. "Things are coming to a head," he said, "and somebody is going to get hurt."
Cook became a soldier in the Civil War, and in 1864 while at Memphis, in Tennessee, he saw for the first time a regiment of colored soldiers. One of the lieutenants in this regiment was Henry, who was with him in that midnight run for the depot in Des Moines. The negro officer was also a trusted scout for the general of his division.
-- The Iowa Journal of History and Politics; Volume XXII; pages 447-450; Editor: Benjamin F. Shambaugh; State Historical Society of Iowa, 1924
At the time of the Kansas border war, John Brown crossed Iowa several times, on his way to Kansas or to the East. His object in going to Kansas was to assist the anti-slavery forces, not to establish a home, and as he passed through Iowa, he established a line of travel for his fugitive slaves. Beginning in the west at Tabor, the line ran north and east to Madison and Dallas counties. This line passed through Earlham - a Quaker settlement - Des Moines, Grinnell, Washington, Crawfordsville, and Muscatine. Near Earlham, to which Quakers from Salem had carried the spirit of Thomas Frazier, Brown established one of his most trusted stations.
A narrative written by Herman Cook, who was a conductor on the road, tells of the incidents of travel along this section of the Underground Railroad.
"After John Brown came through Iowa, stations were known and accounted for. The train started from Tabor, Fremont County, and crossed diagonally Adair County, striking Summit Grove, where Stewart is now located. From here, one line went east down Quaker Divide. (Quaker Divide was a Quaker settlement and meeting known as Bear Creek, five miles northwest of Earlham) and the other crossed the Coon River near Redfield, then through Adel, both coming together in Des Moines.
"Many times, colored men and. women would be seen crossing the prairies from Middle River to Summit Grove - slaves running away to freedom, in the winter of 1859 - 60, [p, 448] Cook was going to Bear Creek driving a carriage, and in it were two young colored women. They were sisters and from the west border of Missouri. Their master was their father and they had both been reared in the family. War was apparent and their master decided to sell them down south. They heard the plotting and found out they were to go on the auction block and made a run for the North Star. They had been on the road seven weeks when they arrived at A. W. L.'s at Summit Grove. (A. W. L. was Alister W. Lewis)
"Before daylight, they were housed at Uncle Martin's. Two days later, one of the sisters, who had been out in the yard, came running in and told grandmother, 'Master is coming up the road,' Grandfather went out in front and sat down in his chair against the side of the door. By this time, a number of men had ridden up, and asked him if he had seen any slaves around. He told them that slaves-were not known in Iowa. Then one of them, said 'I am told that you are an old Quaker, and have been suspected of harboring black folks as they ran away to Canada, I have traced two girls across the country, and have reason to believe that they have been here.' Grandfather said, 'I never turn anyone away who wants lodging, but I keep no slaves." 'Then, I will come in and see,' said the man, and jumped off his horse and started for the house. Grand¬ father stood up with his cane in his hand and stepped into the door when the man attempted, to enter and said, 'Has thee a warrant to search my house?' No, I have not.' 'Then thee cannot do so.' 'But I will show you,' said the man, 'I will search for my girls.'
"While this parley was going on, and loud words were coming thick and fast. Grandmother came up and said, "Father, if the man wants to look through the house let him. do so. Thee ought to know he won't find any slaves here*' [p. 449] Grandfather turned and stared at her a minute, and then said, 'I ask thy forgiveness for speaking so harshly. Thee can go through, the house if mother says so.'
"Grandfather showed, him through all the rooms, but stayed close to him all the time. After satisfying himself that they were not there, he begged the old man's forgiveness, mounted his horse and rode away. When the coast was clear, it was found that when Maggie had rushed in and said, 'Master is coming' Grandmother hastily snatched off the large feather bed, spread it all over them, put on the covers and pillows, patted out the wrinkles, and so no slaves were seen."
The party referred to in the foregoing narrative as Uncle Martin was Martin Cook and his grandfather and grandmother referred to were John and Anna Cook, uncle and grandparents respectively of Harmon Cook.
"One time a load was being taken down the south side of Coon River and had reached the timber on the bluffs near Des Moines. About three o'clock in the morning, as the carriage was leisurely going along, the sound of distant hoofbeats were heard, coming behind. At first it was thought that the carriage could outrun the pursuers, but prudence forbade. A narrow road at one side was hastily followed a few rods, and the carriage Stopped. 'The horseman passed on, swearing, eternal vengeance on the whole 'caboodle' if captured. When sounds were lost in the distance, a dash was made for the depot in Des Moines, and all safely landed before daylight.
Mr. Cook relates that some months after this wild midnight ride, he was coming from Adel on horseback, opposite Mr. Murray's east of Redfield. Here he saw old man Murry and a stranger back of the barn. He was beckoned over. The stranger proved to be Old John Brown of Osawatomie. Murry told Brown that this was the young man that came [p 450] so near being caught on a trip to Des Moines. Brown said, "Young man when you are on the Lord's business, you must be more discreet. You must always listen backwards as you are always followed." He told young Cook that he was responsible for that line of road, and he wanted his conductors to be more careful in the future. "Things are coming to a head," he said, "and somebody is going to get hurt."
Cook became a soldier in the Civil War, and in 1864 while at Memphis, in Tennessee, he saw for the first time a regiment of colored soldiers. One of the lieutenants in this regiment was Henry, who was with him in that midnight run for the depot in Des Moines. The negro officer was also a trusted scout for the general of his division.
-- The Iowa Journal of History and Politics; Volume XXII; pages 447-450; Editor: Benjamin F. Shambaugh; State Historical Society of Iowa, 1924
Extending the Underground Railroad
At the time of the Kansas border war, John Brown crossed Iowa several times, on his way to Kansas or to the East. His object in going to Kansas was to assist the anti-slavery forces, not to establish a home, and as he passed through Iowa, he established a line of travel for his fugitive slaves. Beginning in the west at Tabor, the line ran north and east to Madison and Dallas counties. This line passed through Earlham - a Quaker settlement - Des Moines, Grinnell, Washington, Crawfordsville, and Muscatine. Near Earlham, to which Quakers from Salem had carried the spirit of Thomas Frazier, Brown established one of his most trusted stations.
A narrative written by Herman Cook, who was a conductor on the road, tells of the incidents of travel along this section of the Underground Railroad.
"After John Brown came through Iowa, stations were known and accounted for. The train started from Tabor, Fremont County, and crossed diagonally Adair County, striking Summit Grove, where Stewart is now located. From here, one line went east down Quaker Divide. (Quaker Divide was a Quaker settlement and meeting known as Bear Creek, five miles northwest of Earlham) and the other crossed the Coon River near Redfield, then through Adel, both coming together in Des Moines.
"Many times, colored men and. women would be seen crossing the prairies from Middle River to Summit Grove - slaves running away to freedom, in the winter of 1859 - 60, [p, 448] Cook was going to Bear Creek driving a carriage, and in it were two young colored women. They were sisters and from the west border of Missouri. Their master was their father and they had both been reared in the family. War was apparent and their master decided to sell them down south. They heard the plotting and found out they were to go on the auction block and made a run for the North Star. They had been on the road seven weeks when they arrived at A. W. L.'s at Summit Grove. (A. W. L. was Alister W. Lewis)
"Before daylight, they were housed at Uncle Martin's. Two days later, one of the sisters, who had been out in the yard, came running in and told grandmother, 'Master is coming up the road,' Grandfather went out in front and sat down in his chair against the side of the door. By this time, a number of men had ridden up, and asked him if he had seen any slaves around. He told them that slaves-were not known in Iowa. Then one of them, said 'I am told that you are an old Quaker, and have been suspected of harboring black folks as they ran away to Canada, I have traced two girls across the country, and have reason to believe that they have been here.' Grandfather said, 'I never turn anyone away who wants lodging, but I keep no slaves." 'Then, I will come in and see,' said the man, and jumped off his horse and started for the house. Grand¬ father stood up with his cane in his hand and stepped into the door when the man attempted, to enter and said, 'Has thee a warrant to search my house?' No, I have not.' 'Then thee cannot do so.' 'But I will show you,' said the man, 'I will search for my girls.'
"While this parley was going on, and loud words were coming thick and fast. Grandmother came up and said, "Father, if the man wants to look through the house let him. do so. Thee ought to know he won't find any slaves here*' [p. 449] Grandfather turned and stared at her a minute, and then said, 'I ask thy forgiveness for speaking so harshly. Thee can go through, the house if mother says so.'
"Grandfather showed, him through all the rooms, but stayed close to him all the time. After satisfying himself that they were not there, he begged the old man's forgiveness, mounted his horse and rode away. When the coast was clear, it was found that when Maggie had rushed in and said, 'Master is coming' Grandmother hastily snatched off the large feather bed, spread it all over them, put on the covers and pillows, patted out the wrinkles, and so no slaves were seen."
The party referred to in the foregoing narrative as Uncle Martin was Martin Cook and his grandfather and grandmother referred to were John and Anna Cook, uncle and grandparents respectively of Harmon Cook.
"One time a load was being taken down the south side of Coon River and had reached the timber on the bluffs near Des Moines. About three o'clock in the morning, as the carriage was leisurely going along, the sound of distant hoofbeats were heard, coming behind. At first it was thought that the carriage could outrun the pursuers, but prudence forbade. A narrow road at one side was hastily followed a few rods, and the carriage Stopped. 'The horseman passed on, swearing, eternal vengeance on the whole 'caboodle' if captured. When sounds were lost in the distance, a dash was made for the depot in Des Moines, and all safely landed before daylight.
Mr. Cook relates that some months after this wild midnight ride, he was coming from Adel on horseback, opposite Mr. Murray's east of Redfield. Here he saw old man Murry and a stranger back of the barn. He was beckoned over. The stranger proved to be Old John Brown of Osawatomie. Murry told Brown that this was the young man that came [p 450] so near being caught on a trip to Des Moines. Brown said, "Young man when you are on the Lord's business, you must be more discreet. You must always listen backwards as you are always followed." He told young Cook that he was responsible for that line of road, and he wanted his conductors to be more careful in the future. "Things are coming to a head," he said, "and somebody is going to get hurt."
Cook became a soldier in the Civil War, and in 1864 while at Memphis, in Tennessee, he saw for the first time a regiment of colored soldiers. One of the lieutenants in this regiment was Henry, who was with him in that midnight run for the depot in Des Moines. The negro officer was also a trusted scout for the general of his division.
-- The Iowa Journal of History and Politics; Volume XXII; pages 447-450; Editor: Benjamin F. Shambaugh; State Historical Society of Iowa, 1924
At the time of the Kansas border war, John Brown crossed Iowa several times, on his way to Kansas or to the East. His object in going to Kansas was to assist the anti-slavery forces, not to establish a home, and as he passed through Iowa, he established a line of travel for his fugitive slaves. Beginning in the west at Tabor, the line ran north and east to Madison and Dallas counties. This line passed through Earlham - a Quaker settlement - Des Moines, Grinnell, Washington, Crawfordsville, and Muscatine. Near Earlham, to which Quakers from Salem had carried the spirit of Thomas Frazier, Brown established one of his most trusted stations.
A narrative written by Herman Cook, who was a conductor on the road, tells of the incidents of travel along this section of the Underground Railroad.
"After John Brown came through Iowa, stations were known and accounted for. The train started from Tabor, Fremont County, and crossed diagonally Adair County, striking Summit Grove, where Stewart is now located. From here, one line went east down Quaker Divide. (Quaker Divide was a Quaker settlement and meeting known as Bear Creek, five miles northwest of Earlham) and the other crossed the Coon River near Redfield, then through Adel, both coming together in Des Moines.
"Many times, colored men and. women would be seen crossing the prairies from Middle River to Summit Grove - slaves running away to freedom, in the winter of 1859 - 60, [p, 448] Cook was going to Bear Creek driving a carriage, and in it were two young colored women. They were sisters and from the west border of Missouri. Their master was their father and they had both been reared in the family. War was apparent and their master decided to sell them down south. They heard the plotting and found out they were to go on the auction block and made a run for the North Star. They had been on the road seven weeks when they arrived at A. W. L.'s at Summit Grove. (A. W. L. was Alister W. Lewis)
"Before daylight, they were housed at Uncle Martin's. Two days later, one of the sisters, who had been out in the yard, came running in and told grandmother, 'Master is coming up the road,' Grandfather went out in front and sat down in his chair against the side of the door. By this time, a number of men had ridden up, and asked him if he had seen any slaves around. He told them that slaves-were not known in Iowa. Then one of them, said 'I am told that you are an old Quaker, and have been suspected of harboring black folks as they ran away to Canada, I have traced two girls across the country, and have reason to believe that they have been here.' Grandfather said, 'I never turn anyone away who wants lodging, but I keep no slaves." 'Then, I will come in and see,' said the man, and jumped off his horse and started for the house. Grand¬ father stood up with his cane in his hand and stepped into the door when the man attempted, to enter and said, 'Has thee a warrant to search my house?' No, I have not.' 'Then thee cannot do so.' 'But I will show you,' said the man, 'I will search for my girls.'
"While this parley was going on, and loud words were coming thick and fast. Grandmother came up and said, "Father, if the man wants to look through the house let him. do so. Thee ought to know he won't find any slaves here*' [p. 449] Grandfather turned and stared at her a minute, and then said, 'I ask thy forgiveness for speaking so harshly. Thee can go through, the house if mother says so.'
"Grandfather showed, him through all the rooms, but stayed close to him all the time. After satisfying himself that they were not there, he begged the old man's forgiveness, mounted his horse and rode away. When the coast was clear, it was found that when Maggie had rushed in and said, 'Master is coming' Grandmother hastily snatched off the large feather bed, spread it all over them, put on the covers and pillows, patted out the wrinkles, and so no slaves were seen."
The party referred to in the foregoing narrative as Uncle Martin was Martin Cook and his grandfather and grandmother referred to were John and Anna Cook, uncle and grandparents respectively of Harmon Cook.
"One time a load was being taken down the south side of Coon River and had reached the timber on the bluffs near Des Moines. About three o'clock in the morning, as the carriage was leisurely going along, the sound of distant hoofbeats were heard, coming behind. At first it was thought that the carriage could outrun the pursuers, but prudence forbade. A narrow road at one side was hastily followed a few rods, and the carriage Stopped. 'The horseman passed on, swearing, eternal vengeance on the whole 'caboodle' if captured. When sounds were lost in the distance, a dash was made for the depot in Des Moines, and all safely landed before daylight.
Mr. Cook relates that some months after this wild midnight ride, he was coming from Adel on horseback, opposite Mr. Murray's east of Redfield. Here he saw old man Murry and a stranger back of the barn. He was beckoned over. The stranger proved to be Old John Brown of Osawatomie. Murry told Brown that this was the young man that came [p 450] so near being caught on a trip to Des Moines. Brown said, "Young man when you are on the Lord's business, you must be more discreet. You must always listen backwards as you are always followed." He told young Cook that he was responsible for that line of road, and he wanted his conductors to be more careful in the future. "Things are coming to a head," he said, "and somebody is going to get hurt."
Cook became a soldier in the Civil War, and in 1864 while at Memphis, in Tennessee, he saw for the first time a regiment of colored soldiers. One of the lieutenants in this regiment was Henry, who was with him in that midnight run for the depot in Des Moines. The negro officer was also a trusted scout for the general of his division.
-- The Iowa Journal of History and Politics; Volume XXII; pages 447-450; Editor: Benjamin F. Shambaugh; State Historical Society of Iowa, 1924
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