Harrisburg, March 24, '56.
FRIEND STILL: — I suppose ere this you have seen those five
large and three small packages I sent by way of Reading, consisting of three
men and women and children. They arrived here this morning at 8½ o'clock and
left twenty minutes past three. You will please send me any information likely
to prove interesting in relation to them.
Lately we have formed a Society here, called the Fugitive
Aid Society. This is our first case, and I hope it will prove entirely
successful.
When you write, please inform me what signs or symbols you
make use of in your despatches, and any other information in relation to
operations of the Underground Rail Road.
Our reason for sending by the Reading Road, was to gain
time; it is expected the owners will be in town this afternoon, and by this
Road we gained five hours’ time, which is a matter of much importance, and we
may have occasion to use it sometimes in future. In great haste,
Yours with great
respect,
JOS. C. BUSTILL.
_______________
* Underground Railroad Depot.
SOURCE: William Still, The Underground Railroad: A
Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters &c., p. 43
