Greensburg in Decatur County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Donnell -V.- State, 1852
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
1. Side 'One' - - Donnell -V.- State, 1852 Marker
Side one:
Luther Donnell was convicted in Decatur Circuit Court (1849) of aiding fugitive slaves, Caroline and her four children, to escape to Canada. In Donnell v. State, Indiana Supreme Court reversed the conviction, claiming that under U.S. Supreme Court decision in Prigg v. Pennsylvania federal law superseded a state law regarding aid to fugitive slaves.
Side two:
Prigg, a pro-slavery decision, was used in this case and elsewhere to benefit the anti-slavery cause. 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, and Decatur County Freedom Trails Association. (Marker Number 16.2007.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list.
Location. 39° 20.253′ N, 85° 29.004′ W. Marker is in Greensburg, Indiana, in Decatur County
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Carl Fisher (a few steps from this marker); Bracken Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilder Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Thomas Hendricks / Elizabeth Trimble Hendricks (within shouting distance of this marker); White Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Decatur County All Wars Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Naegel Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Erdman Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greensburg.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Indiana Historical Bureau, Donnell v. State, 1852. (Submitted on September 18, 2012, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Slavery and the Indiana Supreme Court: For and Against?. (Submitted on September 18, 2012, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
2. Side 'Two' - - Donnell -V.- State, 1852 Marker
3. Photos of Dedication (Courtesy - Indiana Historical Bureau):. (Submitted on January 21, 2013, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Additional keywords. Tree growing out of Courthouse roof
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2012
3. Donnell -V.- State, 1852 Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
4. Looking West - - Donnell -V.- State, 1852 Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
5. Looking East - - Donnell -V.- State, 1852 Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
6. North/East Corner - - Decatur County Courthouse - Greensburg, Indiana
Indeed the marker is to the extreme right in this photo. BUT, note the well known Indiana tree - growing out of the Courthouse roof.
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
7. Tree Growing Out of Courthouse Roof . . !
Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, July 17, 2011
8. South/West Corner - - Decatur County Courthouse - Greensburg, Indiana
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,035 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 3. submitted on September 18, 2012, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 19, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
