The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #161521 Message #3839208
Posted By: Rapparee
15-Feb-17 - 10:14 PM
Thread Name: BS: I'm probably in line to British throne..
Subject: RE: BS: I'm probably in line to British throne..
My uncle once told me this story.
Years ago, before the US Civil War, the family was living down in the Olde Parte of Quincy, Illinois, across from the slave state of Missouri. Yes, there was some tiny little incidents, like the burning of houses of abolitionists and dislike of the Underground Railroad stations right across the Mississippi River from Missouri, but really, there was no legal court-type proof so they probably weren't anything big. The town's only lynching came later, in 1865, when a "Bushwhacker" from Missouri was hanged (a white fellow). But that's another story.
Anyway, one nigh my uncle's great-great aunt was up very late, working about the kitchen, when there came a knock at the door. She answered it and there stood her brother, whom she hadn't seen or heard from in several years.
He asked if she would make his a sandwich and could he have some coffee and could she make him a sandwich to take with him as he had to leave very, very soon.
She questioned him. Turns out the sheriff and other people were after him. Seems like he'd go South, convince some slaves to run away with him to the free state of Illinois, and after the reached Illinois take them back over the river into Missouri and sell them into slavery again.
He left again in a great hurry and then he drops out of the family story entirely. Which is probably just as well.