Any history of our area would be incomplete if mention was not made of the unique role played by Underground Railroad in Cass County (and particularly Vandalia/Shavehead Lake). The Underground Railroad was a network of
'stations' (homes, carriage houses and barns) owned by Quaker abolitionists, as well as free black men and women and other sympathizers. Freedom seekers traveled at night to avoid being seen and were given refuge at these safe locations during daylight hours. The journey to Canada was long and difficult. They traveled on foot and were often hidden
in wagons beneath bags of grain or hidden under the fake floorboards to keep from being detected. It is claimed that over 1500 freedom seekers passed through Cass County during this era on their way through Schoolcraft, Battle Creek, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Detroit and finally Windsor, Canada. There was so much UGRR activity in the area around
Vandalia that it was known in Washington D.C. as "that hotbed of abolitionism". Between 1842 and 1847 there
also developed a colony of fugitives who resided in small cabins of 5-10 acre plots of land provided
by local Quakers. In exchange for clearing the land, freedom seekers could plant gardens, earn money and participate in local community activities. James E. Bonine, who built the Bonine House and Carriage House (pictured on page 6) on M-60
and Calvin Center Road, was one of the Quaker farmers who set aside land for a period of 5-10 years.
Great Kentucky Raid
In August of 1847 a group of thirteen Kentucky slave catchers arrived in Cass County. They broke into smaller parties
and proceeded to various Quaker farms capturing nine former slaves. Word of the kidnapping spread quickly and a
crowd of upwards of 300 Quakers, free blacks and other abolitionist townspeople gathered to stop the Kentuckians.
A confrontation ensued at Odell's Mill in Vandalia. As weapons were brandished the Quakers present were credited
with calming the situation before it escalated to further violence. Because they were severely outnumbered and believing the law at that time (Fugitive Slave Act of 1793) was on their side, the Kentuckians agreed to go to Cassopolis, post bond for their own freedom but still stand trial. (Legend is that one of the Kentucky wagons is at the bottom of
Shavehead). There was a three day delay in the trial proceedings while the Kentuckians gathered the necessary documents
to prove ownership of the captives. When the trial commenced, Quakers, free blacks and fugitives filed charges
against the Kentuckians. The Commissioner found for the freedom seekers, saying the Kentuckians didn't have the correct
paperwork. The freed captives, along with thirty-four other fugitives, immediately left for Canada on the UGRR.
If you are interested in learning more visit the "Village of Vandalia Underground Railroad Days" July 12-13. In addition to the exhibits, tours are given of area homes and sites involved.
**Much of this article was taken from Underground Railroad Society of Cass County Web site
'stations' (homes, carriage houses and barns) owned by Quaker abolitionists, as well as free black men and women and other sympathizers. Freedom seekers traveled at night to avoid being seen and were given refuge at these safe locations during daylight hours. The journey to Canada was long and difficult. They traveled on foot and were often hidden
in wagons beneath bags of grain or hidden under the fake floorboards to keep from being detected. It is claimed that over 1500 freedom seekers passed through Cass County during this era on their way through Schoolcraft, Battle Creek, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Detroit and finally Windsor, Canada. There was so much UGRR activity in the area around
Vandalia that it was known in Washington D.C. as "that hotbed of abolitionism". Between 1842 and 1847 there
also developed a colony of fugitives who resided in small cabins of 5-10 acre plots of land provided
by local Quakers. In exchange for clearing the land, freedom seekers could plant gardens, earn money and participate in local community activities. James E. Bonine, who built the Bonine House and Carriage House (pictured on page 6) on M-60
and Calvin Center Road, was one of the Quaker farmers who set aside land for a period of 5-10 years.
Great Kentucky Raid
In August of 1847 a group of thirteen Kentucky slave catchers arrived in Cass County. They broke into smaller parties
and proceeded to various Quaker farms capturing nine former slaves. Word of the kidnapping spread quickly and a
crowd of upwards of 300 Quakers, free blacks and other abolitionist townspeople gathered to stop the Kentuckians.
A confrontation ensued at Odell's Mill in Vandalia. As weapons were brandished the Quakers present were credited
with calming the situation before it escalated to further violence. Because they were severely outnumbered and believing the law at that time (Fugitive Slave Act of 1793) was on their side, the Kentuckians agreed to go to Cassopolis, post bond for their own freedom but still stand trial. (Legend is that one of the Kentucky wagons is at the bottom of
Shavehead). There was a three day delay in the trial proceedings while the Kentuckians gathered the necessary documents
to prove ownership of the captives. When the trial commenced, Quakers, free blacks and fugitives filed charges
against the Kentuckians. The Commissioner found for the freedom seekers, saying the Kentuckians didn't have the correct
paperwork. The freed captives, along with thirty-four other fugitives, immediately left for Canada on the UGRR.
If you are interested in learning more visit the "Village of Vandalia Underground Railroad Days" July 12-13. In addition to the exhibits, tours are given of area homes and sites involved.
**Much of this article was taken from Underground Railroad Society of Cass County Web site
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