Seymour in Jackson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Alexander McClure
Side 'One'
On April 15, 1860 at the Seymour railroad depot, a shipping box was damaged while being transferred; McClure was discovered inside and immediately identified himself as a fugitive slave from Nashville, Tennessee. The box had been shipped from Nashville, addressed to Levi Coffin in Cincinnati, who strongly denied any knowledge of the escape plan.
Side 'Two'
Adams Express Company agents took McClure to Louisville jail, where his owner claimed him, then took him to Nashville; company paid all expenses for McClure's return to Nashville. McClure's testimony helped convict two black men accused of aiding him. Many sensationalized stories about the attempted escape appeared in the various city newspapers.
Erected 2008 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Jackson County Visitor Center, and Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, IDNR. (Marker Number 36.2008.2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1816.
Location. 38° 57.561′ N, 85° 53.157′ W. Marker is in Seymour, Indiana, in Jackson County. Marker is on North Broadway Street (State Road 11) south of East 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south. Located at the 'old' Seymour Railroad Depot (now the Jackson County Visitor's Center) on Broadway Street in Seymour, Indiana. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seymour IN 47274, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Reno Gang (within shouting distance of this marker); Freeman Field (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Freeman Field (approx. 1.4 miles away); B-25 Mitchell (approx. 2.6 miles away); Indian Treaty Corner (approx. 2.8 miles away); 10 O'Clock Indian Treaty Line (approx. 2.8 miles away); Shieldstown Bridge (approx. 7 miles away); Sons Of The American Revolution Memorial (approx. 10 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seymour.
Also see . . .
1. Jackson County - Attractions / Visitor's Center::. (Submitted on August 30, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
2. Photos of Dedication (Courtesy - Indiana Historical Bureau):. (Submitted on January 20, 2013, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 952 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 30, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.