The Underground Railroad by Jeffery L Schatzer Page B

will,” her mother replied.
    â€œYou may be interested in knowing that Eliza Harris and her baby escaped slavery,” the professor noted. “At great danger, she crossed the icy Ohio River and managed to make her way to Canada.”
    â€œWhere did she live in Canada?” Tamika asked. “My family lived in Canada.”
    â€œShe lived out her life in southern Ontario,” the professor said. “There were several famous settlements in that area of Canada, including Buxton and Chatham.”
    Tamika’s mother gasped out loud. “That’s where our family came from long ago. Do you think our relatives knew her?”
    â€œThat very well could be,” answered the professor.
    â€œTamika,” her mother said, “I know that learning about slavery can be scary, but I think this is something you should know. Would you feel better if I came along with you to see the professor next time?”
    Tamika nodded her head slowly.
    â€œGood! Good!” said the professor. “Come to my office next Tuesday. I’ve got a wonderful surprise for you.”

Taking a Trip Backwards in Time
The Professor’s Office—Tuesday
    T he office was crowded on Tuesday evening. There was the professor, Tamika and her mother, Mr. Spinner, and me. With so many people, there was barely enough room to move around.
    Professor Tuesday was really excited about something. Once everyone got settled, there was a knock at the door. The professor opened it and there stood a pizza deliveryman.
    â€œI ordered two pizzas as a treat,” the professor said proudly. “I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone. I only want two pieces. You can have the rest.”
    Mr. Spinner helped serve the snack, dishing out thick, gooey-cheesy slices. It looked and smelled yummy. Professor Tuesday picked up a slice and picked off two mushrooms. Then he went to the map of the United States that was hanging on the wall. He pointed to an area in the middle of the United States with his free hand, a spot along the Ohio River not far from the Indiana-Ohio border.
    â€œThis area was one of the major crossing points for what I call the ‘western route’ of the Underground Railroad,” the professor said between bites. “In those days, the river was very shallow in places. There were even a few spots that were shallow enough that runaways could actually wade across the river to Ohio.”
    He moved his hand to the area east of Cincinnati, Ohio. “This is Ripley, Ohio, the spot where Eliza Harris crossed the river with her child on broken sheets of ice.”
    â€œMy dad and I are reading that book about her,” Tamika said proudly.
    â€œGood! Good!” said the professor. “I hope you are enjoying it. Once she crossed the river, she was taken to John Rankin’s house where she was given food, clothing, and shelter. Then it was on toward Levi Coffin’s house.” His hand moved westward along the Ohio River and settled on a spot in Indiana, just west of Cincinnati. “This is Madison, Indiana, the place where George DeBaptiste lived. Mr. DeBaptiste also sent runaways onward to Levi Coffin’s house.”
    Professor Tuesday took a bite of pizza, then dabbed the corners of his mouth twice with a napkin. “Once runaway slaves made it to Levi Coffin’s house, they could travel north on several different routes. For example, Eliza Harris made her way to Sandusky, Ohio, and took a boat across Lake Erie into Canada. Others may have left the Coffin house and headed northwest toward Westfield, Indiana.” The professor pointed to an area on the map just north of Indianapolis. “From Westfield, they could take several routes that would lead them into the counties of lower Michigan. For example, Laura Haviland sheltered and helped escaped slaves in Albion just north of the Ohio border. The city of Monroe, several areas in Lenawee County, as well as a number of other