Kentucky Raid mural complete
Published 12:00 pm Thursday, October 14, 2010
Ruth Andrews (left), the lead artist for the "Sanctuary and Deliverance" mural, works with other Cassopolis artists on an August day. The completed work at 150 South Broadway will be unveiled at a ceremony on Oct. 23. (Vigilant photo provided)
By AARON MUELLER
Cassopolis Vigilant
Residents of Cassopolis have been able to watch the story of the Kentucky Raid unfold before their eyes the past few months, as artists painted a 25-by-75-foot mural downtown, depicting the historic event.
Now near completion, the mural, titled “Sanctuary and Deliverance,” will be unveiled at a ceremony Sat. Oct. 23.
The event will take place at 10 a.m. at the site of the mural, 150 South Broadway. Sponsored by the Minority Coalition of Cass County and the Michigan Humanities Council, the event will feature music and speakers.
The Kentucky Raid is a point of pride in the Cassopolis area.
In 1847, a group of Kentucky slave catchers came to Cass County to try to take back several African-Americans living on land owned by Quakers.
But a group of white farmers, free African-Americans and Quakers intervened. In order to avoid violence, the Quakers had the slave catchers go to Cassopolis, the county seat, for a legal decision. They were then indicted for kidnapping and assault and battery.
The mural was funded by a $15,000 grant from the Michigan Humanities Council. Cassopolis artist Ruth Andrews designed the mural.
