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a c k now l e d g m e n t s I came to this book not intentionally, but as an outgrowth of a related project. In 1999 the Iowa General Assembly directed that the State Historical Society of Iowa prepare a proposal for them on how best to commemorate places associated with the underground railroad in Iowa. Ultimately, the Iowa Department of Transportation kindly awarded federal matching Enhancement Funds under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA; Public Law 102-240) and project work began, combining research, field work, and archeological investigation. When research and field work revealed that fewer than expected buildings survived of that history, project attention turned to preparing publications that could tell the stories and routes of escape across Iowa and convey the state’s part in this pre–Civil War history, thereby adding to the stories associated with the few buildings that remain. In directing this project and writing the book, I greatly benefited from the help of a number of wonderful researchers, local historians, institutions, and individuals. I am greatly obliged to and grateful for the exceptional research work carried out by John Zeller and Eric Lana. Working through all surviving Iowa newspapers dating from 1846 to 1863, they uncovered thousands of news items on antislavery debates and evidence of underground railroad activity in Iowa and combed through every county history to locate additional stories and background information on individuals. Augmenting the research was John Zeller’s liaison activity with local historical organizations, which yielded considerable leads and new sources on places of interest. Also greatly appreciated was John’s generously volunteered photographic and mapmaking skills, his donation of various secondary materials 214 :: ack nowledgments on these topics, and his own bighearted sharing of historical insights, along with his good humor and wealth of enjoyable stories. I am indebted to Douglas Jones, staff archeologist with the State Historic Preservation Office, for his enthusiastic commitment to gathering information about eastern Iowa’s antislavery story and helping me in my publication efforts. As he became increasingly engaged in the underground railroad project, he organized archeological investigations at underground railroad sites and made many public presentations . From these he drew in additional information from excellent local researchers Steve Hanken and Mike Boyle, and he also found additional clues in local historical society and library collections. Special thanks go to James Hill, Midwest field representative of the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad to Freedom program. His ongoing encouragement and range of contacts within Iowa and in adjacent states brought forth important information. In particular, he shared important details gathered about underground railroad activity in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and what he had learned of the kidnapping and rescue of Maria and Henry Garner at St. Louis through the generous help of Kristian Zapalac, staff member of the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office. To friends who graciously came to my aid in reading the manuscript , I owe more than thanks. G. Galin Berrier, who writes and lectures on Iowa’s underground railroad, read the entire manuscript and, with insight and discernment, offered many helpful suggestions and improvements to the text and provided a valuable sounding board on the subject. I am grateful to Amanda Pirog, who read several chapters of the manuscript with clear-eyed talent for noting confused and overstated sentences; her numerous editorial and reading suggestions have been very useful. I am grateful to the State Historical Society of Iowa and Division Director Gordon Hendrickson for providing me with three rich and rewarding years during which to write this manuscript. Its library and manuscripts staff were especially helpful in assisting me to locate material : especially, the interlibrary loan services of Shari Stelling; the manuscripts and photo expertise of Mary Bennett and Becki Plunkett; the archival aid of Sharon Avery; the editorial thoughts of Ginalie Swaim; the graphics assistance of Berry Bennett, Don Hirt, and Rick Dressler; and the photographic reproduction services of Charles Scott. ack nowledgments :: 215 I have been fortunate to work with and benefit from the knowledge of numerous friends in towns and counties of Iowa interested in local underground railroad activity, including: Lewis Savage (deceased), Doug Hamilton, Dan Clark, Kent Sissel, Floyd Pearce, Max Bebout, Carol Carpenter Hanson, and, in particular, Jean Leeper, who kindly shared photos and archival material gleaned from her own research. Finally, my dearest appreciation goes to my wife, Karen, whose companionship, love, and understanding included much patience for the many evenings and weekends...

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