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Permission for posting this letter from the Siebert Collection was granted by
the Ohio Historical Society on April 21, 2001.  The reference is as follows:

     MIC 192  Wilbur H. Siebert Collection, Letter from E.T. Holcomb, 15
     August, 1894:  Ohio Historical Society.

[NOTE:  the spelling, grammar, and punctuation were copied exactly as appeared
in the original document.  The only change was to capitalizing all surnames.MH]
 

                                Operators at Porter, Vinton,
                                And Wilkesville [the last in
                                        Vinton County]

                     Reply of E. T. Holcomb of Vinton, Gallia Co., Ohio,

                                                                              Aug.15, 1894.
 

W. H. SIEBERT,

     In answer to your questions I would say that sometime since I wrote a
history of the Underground Railroad for some parties about Columbus.  I have
forgotten their address.  If you could find out the parties who have it affords
all the information you require.

     My name is Edward T. HOLCOMB.  I am seventy-two years old, a native of
Gallia County, Ohio, my profession that of farming on merchandise.  I reside at
Vinton, Gallia County, Ohio.

     At Porter station were George J. PAYNE, Frederick HANGER, Dr. Julius A.
BINGHAM; at Vinton station James P. ANDREY, Wm. SYMMES, John E. HOLCOMB
and E. T. HOLCOMB; at Wilkesville Vinton Co. Abram MORRIS, S. HUDSON,
Harry BROWN.  We only had one password ("Handle with tongs.").

1.   From the mouth of the Kanawha west to the village of Porter in this Gallia
Co.; from there to Vinton in the same Co.; from there to Wilkesville, Vinton
County, from there to Albany, Athens County; and from there to Lancaster.

2.  The period of activity it is hard to define off hand.  Say 15 years.

3.  Horseback and night travel from one station to another, when the passengers
were handed over to the next station keeper.

Memorable incidents are too many to attempt to record.  I could relate many if I
had somebody to take them down.  I was a member of the real confidence gang.
There were many anti-slavery men here, who took no active part.  I was postmaster
in the village for a long time.  The ignorant squad would come to the postoffice,
supposing I was a government official, and would tell all they knew.  By this I could
get them off the track.  They were all West Virginians, and as low and dirty fellows
as you find.  (Negro hunters).  I cannot see to write.  Please excuse.

E.T.H.
 

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