Keystones of the Stone Arch Bridge by Carolyn Ruff

Author:Carolyn Ruff
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-87351-937-3
Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press
Published: 2014-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Phew, I’m glad no one was hurt,” said Fritz.

“Well, just you wait. Let me tell you. Even though the hot air was heavy with moisture and the mosquitoes were buzzing all around us, Mrs. Bates, Eliza, and I huddled close down in the back of the wagon. The posse had their guns ready the whole ride back to the courthouse on Fourth Street. Everyone at the yellow-brick doorway greeted us with cheers, but as we made our way upstairs to the packed courtroom, we heard jeers and angry protests from other folks. Judge Vanderburgh quickly declared Eliza ‘free to go where and with whom she pleased.’ That set off some noisy speeches! One pastor jumped up and accused the judge of making ‘an unrighteous decision.’ The people who wanted Southern slave owners to feel welcome in Minnesota and spend their money here yelled and stomped their feet.

“Oh, Fritz, I saw a lot of frightened faces about then. I was so relieved when Mr. Babbitt whisked Eliza away. Since he was part of the Underground Railroad, I knew he’d keep her safe. Too bad Eliza’s story didn’t end there.

“It started to rain hard that night, and by midnight it was blowing up into quite a storm. That didn’t stop the howling mob of ruffians who came to our house searching for Eliza. They busted down our door and ransacked our shelves and cabinets, turning everything upside down. Little William wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his face in the folds of my nightdress. And, of course, baby Toussaint howled in my arms. I was so proud of my Ralph. He stood firm in front of us and yelled, ‘Eliza Winston is not here! Get out of our home, now!’

“Later, we heard the same thing happened at Mr. Babbitt’s house. Led by the owner of the Winslow House, Mr. McLean, the mob surrounded the Babbitt home from midnight to morning. They threw sticks and rocks and chanted, ‘We want that slave!’ Finally, when Mr. Babbitt screamed out, ‘You cannot have her!’ they used fence posts to batter down the solid walnut front door. That’s when shots rang out and the mob backed away. Mrs. Babbitt, seven months pregnant, was able to sneak out their back door and run for help. When the sheriff arrived, he forced the mob to disperse. They kept shouting threats over their shoulders as they left.”

“What happened to Eliza?” asked Fritz. “Was she safe? Did she get away?”

“Yes, I’m happy to say the Underground Railroad worked again. Eliza even came back in the fall and gave a speech at our Anti-Slavery Society meeting. But then she moved on. People still walked our streets with guns at the ready. There was such debate about this national crime of slavery in America. Of course, not long after that the Civil War began. Minnesota was one of the first states to send troops to preserve the Union and ban slavery everywhere.”

Mrs. Grey turned her head and pointed to a painting on the wall.

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