Bristol in Elkhart County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Graves et al v. Indiana
Photographed By Dave Zollinger, May 15, 2010
1. Graves et al v. Indiana Marker
Side 1
Side One:
In 1847, three Kentucky men tried to capture Thomas Harris, fugitive slave in Bristol; a justice of the peace ruling freed Harris, who fled. In 1848, the Elkhart Circuit Court convicted the three men of causing a riot in 1847. In 1849, Indiana Supreme Court reversed Circuit Court based on 1842 Prigg v. Pennsylvania decision of U.S. Supreme Court.
Side Two:
This incident is an example of local judicial officers countering a pro-slavery federal decision.
The Underground Railroad refers to a widespread network of diverse people in the nineteenth century who aided slaves escaping to freedom from the southern U.S.
Erected 2007 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology, IDNR; Elkhart County Historical Society and Robert Weed Plywood Corporation. (Marker Number 20.2007.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 41° 43.267′ N, 85° 49.017′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Indiana, in Elkhart County. Marker is at the intersection of State
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cathcart Memorial / Nicholson Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cathcart Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Trout Creek Cemetery (approx. 2.3 miles away); Bonneyville Cemetery (approx. 3.1 miles away); William Tuffs Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); District Schoolhouse (approx. 5.6 miles away in Michigan); Schoolhouse Bell (approx. 5.6 miles away in Michigan); Mottville Bridge (approx. 6.3 miles away in Michigan). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.
Also see . . . Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB). The IHB provides reference notes on the text of this marker. (Submitted on February 6, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Photographed By Dave Zollinger, May 15, 2010
2. Graves et al v. Indiana Marker
Side 2
Photographed By Dave Zollinger, May 15, 2010
3. Graves et al v. Indiana Marker
Photographed By Dave Zollinger, May 15, 2010
4. Graves et al v. Indiana Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2010, by Dave Zollinger of Goshen, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,548 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 16, 2010, by Dave Zollinger of Goshen, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
