Email 1

Welcome to the first of my IN THEIR PATH! emails. I am going to try to be in touch every week to let you know my progress. I am sort of a low tech type of lady so this internet and high tech stuff baffles me still. So here goes....I am IN THEIR PATH now.
Love,
Joan E. Southgate

Date: April 5, 2002

Weather: Beautiful No rain, It was sunny with a little breeze. Which was a real relief seeing as we had 4 inches of snow the week before last!

Where I walked today: We set out on our first day from The Rankin home which is the home of John Rankin, who helped free thousands of runaway slaves. I
think there is a link to their site on my web page. The home sits on a hill above the Ohio river. We went along hwy 52 towards Higgensport Ohio. About
an 50 miles east of Cincy.

The ”Safe house” where I stayed : I stayed with Lontina Shropshire and her daughter Kailee. We took a picture there since it was our very first safe house stop. Then we stayed with Dwight & Inez Marriott. The Marriott’s house is a hexagon shaped house with lots of windows. Then there was John and Steph Cooper in Cincinnati. Then there was the Coopers in Cincy and they have a wonderful mask collection.

What I learned about the Underground Railroad: That there is a underground railroad museum in Maysville Kentucky it is run by a man named Jerry Gore. He told me wonderful stories including how he found his great great grandfathers name Addison White in the local record books.

The people I met: When we arrived at the parker house there were about 6 reporters waiting for us. I felt like I was in a TV movie. I talked with them for about an hour. As I took my first steps my heart raced. Jerry Gore has a wonderful singing voice and he sang the old spiritual Trampin’ tramping gonna make heaven my home…..

Who walked with me: My good friend Hester, from Germany, my grandsons Nik and Jeremy. Also my daughter Teci, granddaughter Helena and Darlene Diprospero and her family. My son Danny did a great job as our driver. Teci will drive next week.

One thing I really want you to know about my week. Everyone has been so welcoming and so open it is head spinning. These first days have been truly amazing. Can you find me on the map? Have you learned anything new about the Underground Railroad this week?

What young people has to say: My granddaughter Helena said “We have to walk for our ancestors…You know like uncle Harold and grandpa Shelley and some of
those other old ones I never met. Just because you and me can’t see them doesn’t mean that we can’t walk. They will just watch.”

Until next week same time different place but always IN THEIR PATH!

Joan E. Southgate

Email: gonnawalk439@hotmail.com