Quindaro Underground Railroad

Quindaro’s position just across the river from Missouri made it an important site of the Underground Railroad. To explain, we will share with you the story of Martha Hubbard. Hubbard was born enslaved in Kentucky, but was sold with her family to St. Joseph, MO. She lived a relatively good life as a slave until her master died. At that point, she was inherited by the Arthurs and lost all seven of her children, except one who had scrofula. Unfortunately, Mrs. Arthur had no patience for her daughter’s disability. One day, Mrs. Arthur and the girl were sewing together, but the girl needed to stop because her illness made her tire easily. Instead of being accommodating, Mrs. Arthur beat the girl until she fell unconscious in front of the fire, resulting in a burn on her face. Hubbard’s daughter died shortly after this incident. Consequently, Hubbard and her husband stole two horses from the Arthurs and rode to the Missouri River. At that point, they were ferried to Quindaro. Eventually, they settled in Highland, KS where Hubbard founded the St. Martha African Methodist Episcopal Church, which still exists today.