Background Underground Railroad in Indiana

as 1805, anti-slavery movement began in indiana territory. leaders of movement quaker settlers in eastern part of territory. number grew, , other groups joined them, became dominant political group. in 1809 anti-slavery faction took control of indiana territorial legislature , enacted laws intended hinder operation of slave catchers in territory. continued grow in power, , in dominating 1816 constitutional convention, put ban on slavery. then, indiana, other territories, had become known haven runaway slaves, , runaways commonly hunted down , taken home. in response this, indiana general assembly created , passed man stealing act, law prevented person being forcibly removed state without first having trial.

the law brought state conflict neighboring slave state, kentucky. in 1818 slave catchers tracked down , captured supposed runaway slave in corydon, indiana, forcibly taking family sheltering her. indiana state senator dennis pennington brought slave catchers on charges under man stealing act. when governor of indiana sought have men extradited, governor of kentucky declined on constitutional grounds. noah noble later elected governor , in 1831 supported legislation prevent runaway slaves entering state , protect slave catchers in capturing them. law passed, causing of assistance runaway slaves conducted more secretly.