In this episode, you will learn about the life of Albert Cashier, a Civil War hero with a fascinating past.  Cashier fought valiantly with the 95th Illinois Infantry Regiment, and many years later the regiment would rally to Albert Cashier’s defense.

Narration was provided by Meredith Vogel-Thomas. The episode was written by David Blanchette, directed by Heather Feezor, and edited by Steven Varble. This program was supported by Union Pacific.

Music - Epidemic Sound via iStock.com: Bravo! - Nico Dickens, Fisherman's Cousin - Rune Dale, In the Name of Courage - Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen, National Anthem United Kingdom (Chamber Orchestra Version) - National Anthem Worx, The Waves - Ciaran Delany, Epidemic Sound via iStock.com

Sound Effects - Epidemic Sound via iStock.com: Battle Civil War, Cannon Fire 1, Sheep Blats 20, Western Town - SFX Producer

Intro and Exit music by Mike Anderson: Lincoln and Liberty - Rosin the Beau. Learn more at https://www.dulcimerguy.com/

This is a dramatized account of John Hossack, who stood trial in 1860 for violating the Fugitive Slave Act. Hossack was accused of helping an enslaved person gain his freedom in Ottawa, Illinois.

The narrative is based on court documents using the actual words spoken during the trial. Our narrator, Robert Hitt, is a fictional observer who helps bring the real-life historic characters to life.

Narration was provided by: David Blanchette, Connor Cantrall, Doug Cantrall, Joe Crain, Tim Dyer, Curt Fleck, Brian Gilley, Jock Hedblade, Bernie Lutchman, Jim Rowley, Michael Sanchez and Chris Vallillo.

Springfield, Illinois had a vibrant African American Community during the time Abraham Lincoln lived in the city. This episode highlights his relationship with four African Americans in the community.

The episode was written by David Blanchette, directed by Heather Feezor, and edited by Steven Varble.  Narration was provided by, Springfield Illinois actor, Reggie Guyton.

This episode was funded inpart by a grant from Illinois Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  Any views, findings in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.  This program was supported by Union Pacific.

Music by Chris Vallillo www.chrisvallillo.com

Sounds by www.Freesound.org: ”Hammering Nails, Close, A.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk); Crowdsound http://freesound.org/people/klankbeeld/; Carriage in Vienna Urkki69; Angry Mob by unchaz; Man Yelling by TRP at Freesound.org; Scissors by jadend2; Outdoor Crowd by kyles; Small Group laughter by Ch0cchi; SE Horse & wagon with lots of wooden & metal rattle.wavrecorded by Piotrek Zyla; Horsewagon horse walking slowly ext.wav by lefthandwinnie; Preacher in Ghana by musesdelight; horse whinny by foxen10; People shuffling out of church by BeeProductive; Duna River Beach by szegvari; Door Slam by SoundsForHim

“Free” Frank McWorter was a man with ambition, dedication, guts and a burning desire for freedom for himself and others. He was the first African American in the nation to plat and legally registered a town.

Learn how “Free” Frank established an integrated community on the Illinois prairie and bought the freedom of more than a dozen people from slavery.

The episode was written by David Blanchette, directed by Heather Feezor, and edited by Steven Varble. Narration provided by, Springfield Illinois Actor, Kevin Ford.

This episode is funded in part by a grant from Illinois Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  Any views, findings in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Music by Mike Anderson and Royce Jones www.dulcimerguy.com

Sounds supplied by www.freesound.org by the following creators under various creative commons licenses: Chirping Birds: ifartinurgeneraldirection; Laughing: richwise; Pick Axe: guyburns; Child Laughing: obxjohn; Arkansas Traveler: ecfike; Crowd: craigsmith; Horse Carriage: urkki69; Hammering; wim; Crowd: klankbeeld; Anvil; arnaud-coutancier; Laughing: Richwise; Church Bell: 16f-panska-veltrusky-david; Children Playing: piermic; Train: FunWithSound; Chickens Flapping: mrrap4food; Dog Bark: juan-merie-venter;

In this episode, you will learn about a young freedom seekers harrowing flight from southern Illinois to Knox County, Illinois, and the twists and turns on her journey to self-emancipation.

Assisted by abolitionists and anti-slavery activists, Susan’s story highlights that even though Illinois was a free state, aspects of slavery still existed within its borders.

The episode was written by David Blanchette, directed by Heather Feezor, and edited by Steven Varble. Narration provided by Paris Ervin Doyle.

This episode is funded inpart by a grant from Illinois Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  Any views, findings in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Music by Mike Anderson and Royce Jones www.dulcimerguy.com

Sounds supplied by www.freesound.org by the following creators under various creative commons licenses: Rowdy Crowd: xtrgamr; Gavel: zerolagtime; Outdoor Festival: kyles; Horse Gate/Mud: Canukfa; Civil War Music: adeluc4; Crowd Reactions: Craigsmith; Crying: Robinhood765; Child Laugh: sergequadrado; Man Yelling: trp; Smashing Glass: abominablemusic; Bottle Smash: fliegermatze; Arkansas Traveler: ecfike; Rooster: derjuli; Rooster/Chickens: globofonia; Kids Fighting: soundsexciting; Crickets: gb01; Owl: andrewjonesfoto; Steamboat:1-pull; Horse Carriage: urkki69; AngryMob: unchaz; Gunshot: michorvath; AngryMob: bevibeldesign; Prison Door: ylearkisto; Fire Burning: foleyhaven; Guitar: stixthule; Mumbling: so0rec; Crowd: samuelgremaud; Laughter: drotzruhn; Sonata Piano: shadydave; Drunken Party: robinhood76; Crowd: craigsmith; Child Laughing: sergequadrado

Learn about the events and efforts of a small group of African American citizens from Atlanta, Illinois, who hosted an area-wide BBQ celebration at their local fairgrounds. The event noted the 12th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, which granted freedom to the enslaved people of the United States.

The episode was written by David Blanchette, directed by Heather Feezor, and edited by Steven Varble.  Narration was provided by Springfield Illinois actor, Reggie Guyton.

This episode is funded inpart by a grant from Illinois Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Music by Chris Vallillo www.chrisvallillo.com

Music by Mike Anderson and Royce Jones www.dulcimerguy.com

Sounds supplied by www.freesound.org by the following creators under various creative commons licenses: Cannon Blast: kyles; Train: FunWithSound; Outdoor Crowd: Kneeling; Civil War Music: adeluc4; Horse Gate/Mud: Canukfa; Horse Whinny: InspectorJ; Crowd Reactions: Craigsmith; Laughing: Richwise; Arkansas Traveler: ecfike; Crowd People: klankbeeld; Hammering: WIM; Audience Clap/Yell: klankbeeld; Marching Band: flathill; CrowdCheer: DeletedUser; Cheerful Clapping: qubodup