Thursday September 8, 2016 Vol. 4, No. 27
The Weekly Post
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“We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion” Serving the fine communities of Brimfield, Dahinda, Duncan, Edwards, Elmwood, Farmington, Kickapoo, Laura, Monica, Oak Hill, Princeville, Williamsfield and Yates City
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Anti-slavery Underground Railroad was prominent in area By BILL KNIGHT
FARMINGTON – In the next few weeks, Americans and residents of The Weekly Post area may be reminded of the nation’s long battle over slavery and the years of efforts to help African-Americans escape bondage through the “Underground Railroad.” First, last week marked the anniversary of legendary black writer and orator Frederick Douglass escaping slavery, on Sept. 3, 1838. In a few weeks, the country will mark 178 years since Congress approved the For The Weekly Post
Fugitive Slave Act requiring Americans to give up runaway slaves. Two weeks later in 1850, many abolitionists gathered in Farmington to form the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society. The Fugitive Slave Act sought to enforce the U.S. Edwin Brown Constitution’s requirement to return runaway slaves after an 1842 Supreme Court decision that ruled free states didn’t need to
help recapture or return runaway slaves. Americans who violated the Fugitive Slave Act faced imprisonment and hefty fines if they aided suspected slaves – who weren’t permitted to a trial (meaning many free AfricanAmericans were kidnapped and sent to the South). Nevertheless, many area residents defied the law. Conventional wisdom about the Underground Railroad was that such abolitionists didn’t know each other well, if at all, but Knox College historian Continued on Page 2
Elmwood will allow ATVs on city roadways
9-11 DISPLAY IN WILLIAMSFIELD
This photograph of Ground Zero in New York City was taken one week after terrorist attacks decimated the World Trade Center in Manhattan’s Financial District. Photo by John Seder.
Memories of Ground Zero on display By JEFF LAMPE
WILLIAMSFIELD – Even 15 years later, the emotions of the 9-11 terrorist attack on New York City are raw for John Seder. “I still break up when I talk about it,” said Seder, a transplanted New Yorker who now lives in WilliamsWeekly Post Staff Writer
field. “When I first went back there that first week (after terrorists piloted two planes into the World Trade Center), I talked to people from high school and everybody I talked to knew somebody who died. It was gut wrenching.” During visits before and after the attack, Seder took pictures of what
The Phelps Barn south of Elmwood was an Underground Railroad stop. Photo by Jeff Lampe
he encountered in and around New York City. A collection of 25 of his photographs will be on display at Williamsfield Public Library, 407 Norman Drive, through the end of the month. The library is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Continued on Page 8
By BILL KNIGHT
ELMWOOD – The City Council on Tuesday heard good news in the treasurer’s report and in a presentation from a fiber-optic line provider; took action that was good news to ATV owners; and saw some hope in getting onboard with other local governments to lobby the state. Responding to citizen requests, the Council amended the UTV, Golf Cart & ATV ordinance to allow ATVs to operate within the city the same as golf carts and utility vehicles. Opposing the measure were Aldermen Walt Avery, Bob Paige and Kent Stevens; supporting it were Andrew Almasi, Bryan Davis and Jared Howerton, with Mayor J. D. Hulslander breaking the tie. The amended law requiring certain equipment, permitting and operating rules now apply to all such small vehicles. Mid Century Communications CEO Jim Broemmer addressed the council with the company’s Mid Century Fiber plans to expand in the area, and asked for a franchise agreement comparable to other providers, such as Mediacom. For The Weekly Post
Continued on Page 9