CASSOPOLIS — A local church has donated a home to the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County in order to preserve its history.

The most famous Underground Railroad stationmaster in Cass County was Quaker Stephen Bogue.  He arrived in the area in 1830 and started Friends Anti-Slavery Society in 1843.  His home at Crooked Creek and M-60 in Cassopolis sheltered many fugitive slaves, now called freedom seekers, on their journey to safety in Canada.

Members of the URSCC said they are pleased to announce that the Stephen and Hannah Bogue home has been donated to the organization by the Pleasant View Church of Christ, on whose property it sets.

“It’s our pleasure to donate the Bogue house to URSCC.” said Pleasant View Pastor Jeff Oliver.

The Pleasant View Church of Christ first purchased the house and property from Sidney and Leta Ritter on Sept. 6, 1969, so that the church could relocate from Vandalia where the congregation was first established in 1839.  They would build their first building as the Vandalia Church of Christ in 1854.  That original structure still stands in Vandalia today.  The congregation erected and dedicated its current building in November 1972 and changed its name to Pleasant View Church of Christ.  The Bogue house has been used as a parsonage for its ministers from that time until now.  The Church no longer needs the parsonage and is excited and proud to donate it to URSCC to be restored to an 1830’s historic home to carry on the story of the Underground Railroad in Cass County.”

The URSCC plans to open the Bogue House during Underground Railroad Days, July 14 and 15.  Visitors can go into the attic where freedom seekers were hidden, and learn how the house figured in the 1847 Kentucky Slave Raid.  The house will remain open through September, along with the James E. Bonine House and the Bonine Carriage House, just down the street.  Bogue’s daughter, Sarah, married James E. Bonine in 1844 and they too were stationmasters on the UGRR.

“We are thrilled to become caretakers of this important piece of history, and very grateful to Pastor Jeff, the trustees and the congregation of Pleasant View Church of Christ for entrusting it to us” said URSCC president Mike Moroz.  “The Bogue House enables us to dramatize more of the story of the Underground Railroad in the area around Vandalia.  To actually walk in to the attic where freedom seekers were hidden is an amazing experience, and to look out the window where freedom seeker Perry Sanford was an eye witness to part of the Kentucky Raid really brings the story to life.”

Stephen Bogue became a prominent citizen, well regarded by the community.  He donated land and platted the Village of Vandalia in 1851.  His descendants still live nearby and are pleased to see their ancestor honored in this way, according  to UGRR representatives..

More about the Underground Railroad in Cass County and URSCC can be found on the URSCC website at urscc.org.