Underground Railroad: The William Still Story

In the years leading up to the Civil War, some 4 million African Americans were held in bondage throughout the South, where cotton was king. Increasingly, blacks sought their freedom "hiding by day, running by night," leading to the birth of the Underground Railroad. Filmmaker Laine Drewery's PBS-aired documentary explores the life of William Still, a free black man who was not only one of the most successful critics of slavery, but also an active "station master" on this clandestine route to freedom. The program describes the miserable conditions of slavery, including the whippings and the break-up of families. Slave owners viewed anyone who helped escaped slaves as being guilty of "organized theft," and hired bounty hunters and slave catchers who prowled the countryside and cities in search of fugitives. Born to a slave family, Still was one of the lucky few who escaped, eventually migrating to Philadelphia, where he worked on an abolitionist newspaper while conducting his "illegal" activities aiding slaves. Still kept secret diaries of his work (much of the narration draws on his actual words), but with the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850—which struck down any safe havens for slaves—the danger to Still increased, along with his need for discretion. Always staying one step ahead, Still helped up to 60 slaves a month escape, often as far north as Canada (in one strange incident, a fugitive slave who met Still turned out to be his brother). By war's end, Still had been instrumental in freeing 800 slaves. Later in life, he would become a wealthy businessman and an ardent foe of segregation, dying in 1902 at the age of 81. An inspiring portrait, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)