In the mid-1800s, fugitive slaves traveled to Racine, hid in local sanctuaries, and embarked on the maritime connection of the Underground Railroad. Ships of abolition-friendly Great Lakes captains took them to Canadian ports and their freedom. The best known fugitive was Joshua Glover, who found safety in the Racine harbor warehouse of Achas P. Dutton in early April 1854. Dutton himself conducted more than a hundred fugitives in over 20 years.