Welcome From the General de Lafayette Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution

Welcome From the General de Lafayette Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
On behalf of the General de Lafayette Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, welcome to this blog, "Road to Freedom Through Greater Lafayette." We have attempted to post brief biographical sketches of many of the men and women who were involved in Abolitionist activities in the Greater Lafayette, Indiana, area during the mid-19th century. We hope that it inspires further research into their lives and activities, because we believe the history in our community is worthy of national, state, and local recognition. Please forgive any imperfections. While we are lovers of history, we aren't degreed historians. We will always accept correction and learn from others who have studied history longer than we have. If you see an error, or if you would like to contribute information or photographs, please contact us at generaldelafayette@gmail.com. This website is a work-in-progress, and we will be adding to it, so please check back frequently.

"General" Tootle: Black Leaders of the Local Underground Railroad in Greater Lafayette Indiana

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African American Soldiers from Indiana's 15th Regiment

 General (or Jeneral) Tootle was born in 1827 and came to Lafayette in 1844.  He earned a reputation as a well-respected member of the community. Tootle owned and operated a barber shop near the courthouse square, which not only served as his home, but also as a station on the Underground Railroad. According to news accounts, Jeneral Tootle received fugitives from William Foster, a railroad superintendent, fellow stationmaster, and neighbor. Other local members of the African American community were also involved with the local Underground Railroad operation.

Historian Mary Anthrop wrote about Tootle for the Tippecanoe County Historical Association’s blog, which can be found at this link: Janeral Tootle – Tippecanoe County Historical Association | More than a Museum (tippecanoehistory.org).  

Anthrop highlighted an 1860 arrest in Crawfordsville, said to be a station on the Underground Railroad.  According to the Daily Courier, a southern slave catcher claimed that “Gen’l Tootle,” a popular Lafayette barber, was a fugitive named “Jacob.”  The slave catcher produced a handbill offering a $300 reward for the return of the runaway.  The handbill appeared to describe in detail the personal description, including clothing, that matched Tootle’s appearance.  Tootle didn’t take kindly to the accusation and “established his identity as a free man of color.”  Tootle, armed with a revolver and bowie-knife gave the slave catcher “to understand that free (African Americans) in Indiana had some rights which white men might find it prudent to respect.” 


General S. F. Fry

Tootle did much more than help his enslaved brothers and sisters escape to freedom. He volunteered to fight in the Civil War for the cause of liberty for all African Americans, most of whom never had an opportunity to escape via the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, Jeneral Tootle was selected to serve as the personal assistant and messenger for General S. F. Fry, and afterward for Brigadier General Wagner of the Fifteenth Indiana Regiment. One news account reported that Jeneral Tootle contributed “all in his power for the comfort of General Fry and other union soldiers."

After the war, Tootle continued to work for the advancement of civil rights for African Americans. He helped arrange meetings for a “widely known negro lecturer” to speak on the east side of the courthouse. Upon his death in 1892, he was described as “a well-known character in Lafayette for forty years past.” Gone but not forgotten, Jeneral Tootle was buried with all the honors of a veteran in an unmarked grave at the Greenbush Cemetery.   

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