John Hossack House
1860: 'If you want your liberty, come!'
Scottish-born abolitionist John Hossack built this house in 1854 and ran it as an Underground Railroad stop, sheltering up to thirteen fugitives at a time. In 1860 he was on trial for the dramatic in-court rescue of an escaped slave named Jim Gray — when the federal marshal's case was being read, Hossack stood up and yelled 'If you want your liberty, come!' across the courtroom. Gray bolted, abolitionists blocked the marshals, and a waiting carriage took him north.
Hossack got ten days and a $100 fine. Gray got Canada.
John Hossack
1806–?
Abolitionist, Underground Railroad operator
Scottish immigrant who built a house in Ottawa in 1854 and ran it as a fugitive-slave way station. In 1860 he stood up in a federal courtroom and yelled 'If you want your liberty, come!' across the room. Took ten days in jail and a $100 fine for it.