And Freedom to the Prisoners

Running from the South to the North looking for their freedom, Joe and Berutha Petersen held hands as they stood with other slaves in the shadows of the peach trees near the Ohio River bridge just outside of the town of Maysville, Kentucky. The conductor walked up to his associate, already there keeping the small group quiet. As he gave them final directions for their trek, the new conductor recognized Joe and Berutha, and nodded at them while he handed out a small quantity of supplies to everyone. Berutha’s heart pounded in her chest in anticipation and trepidation about the escape. “Let’s go, folks.” The conductor motioned to them to move and they followed him over the bridge, out of Kentucky and through the woods and into Ohio.