An Underground Railroad stop in Salem

When Ann & Henry passed through Salem in 1867, the Civil War had been over for 2 years. But when they lived there in 1855, the War Between the States still lay ahead. Beginning in 1839, Quakers in Salem began helping runaway slaves along routes that led north.

Salem, Iowa became known as "the main ticket office of the Underground Railroad". And this house, built by Henderson Lewelling in 1840, was thought to be a major stop. It has a trap door leading to a crawl space under the floor. If slave catchers were in the area, the family could hide the fugitives under the floor, put a rug down over the trap door and place a table on top.

There was a saying that it was "as easy to find a needle in a haymow as a Negro among Quakers". Salem was within 20 miles of Missouri, a slave state. Several Quakers in Salem refused to obey the Fugitive Slave Law and instead assisted slaves to freedom.

We don't know for certain if Ann & Henry were involved in Underground Railroad activities, but they did hold strong anti-slavery views.

Our new Salem acquaintance, Jean, let us into the house and gave us a tour, even though it was closed. Thank you, Jean!