The Belvidere Standard contained notices of anti-slavery meetings in Boone County which possibly were also attended by McHenry County residents. Early black settlers worked with settlers of european ancestry in antislavery efforts. One example took place in Will County which was a center for abolitionist activity in the 1840's and 1850's. The small black community in Joliet worked cooperatively with white abolitionists in helping UGRR passengers to freedom. Most fugitives who came through Illinois had set out in Missouri, found their way to the Mississippi River, and crossed it, unaided. An exception to this took place in 1841, when George Thompson, Alanson Work, and James Burr attempted to rescue Palmyra slaves. Their plan was discovered and they spent several years in jail. Work's son, henry Clay Work became the noted composer of "Marching Thro' Georgia" and "Kingdom Coming". (from the Library of Congress) Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Robin Yount, born in Danville, was chosen the American League Most Valuable Player in both 1982 and in 1989. He was the first player since 1940 to be named MVP in two different positions. When the Eastland capsized in the Chicago River in 1915, one of the passengers listed as missing was G.S. Halas. But George, soon-to-be owner of the Chicago Bears, who had booked passage inorder to get to Michigan City, Indiana, for a baseball game, had missed the boat. Perhaps one of the luckiest mistakes that has happened to anyone. Dr. Carl Holmberg, a chemistry professor at Syracuse University in New York, vanished form his office in 1955. Rockford paint-factory worker Verne Hansen was arrested on February 4, 1961, for drunk driving. A routine check showed the driver's fingerprints to match those of the missing professor. "I suppose I will have to go check up to see if the story is true," Hansen acknowledged when told of his true identity. He remembered nothing of his previous life. Hope you all enjoy these. Sincerely, Carrol Mick [email protected] www.iltrails.org/ford www.iltrails.org/iroquois www.iltrails.org --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less.