History of the Underground Railroad in Decatur Co. on October 3

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – Local historian John Pratt will give a presentation on the history of the Underground Railroad in Decatur County on Saturday, October 3. 

The presentation has been organized by the Arts and Cultural Council of Decatur County and the Decatur County Chapter of the Indiana Freedom Trail. 

Information that will be shared comes from the groundbreaking research conducted by William Smith several years ago.

“Bill devoted countless hours to advancing our understanding of the Decatur County Underground Railroad,” Pratt said. 

The presentation will provide key facts and a timeline of the local Underground Railroad, where and why it existed, who were the conductors, and what role local free people of color had. 

“Among the accounts you will hear of is the amazing story of Caroline who escaped with her four young children as the Kentucky slave owner was hot on their heels. Hear what happened during their 48 hours on the Decatur County Underground Railroad,” Pratt said. 

The presentation will be held at the historic Kingston Presbyterian Church at 10 a.m.

https://youtu.be/55hCig3X078?si=3mOE9VZu60derBpS

The seminar will be followed by a trip to the 1844 African Methodist Cemetery that is located a short distance away. 

“This will be a rare look at the grounds that date back to 1822 when Joseph Snelling, a free man of color purchased 56 acres of land,” Pratt added. 

For more information contact John Pratt at jowpratt63@gmail.com.