MONTGOMERY, Ralph - Revision history

Randylyon at 21:45, 28 January 2026

2026-01-28T21:45:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:45, 28 January 2026
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	[[Image:IMG_4509.JPG\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]MONTGOMERY, Ralph. (1795-Dubuque, IA, July 23, 1870). In failing to consider the case of Ralph, the United States Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision inflamed those in resistance to slavery in the United States. Ralph, a slave for ~~a Mr.~~ Montgomery in Missouri, took his owner's last name as his own, a common practice in pre-[[CIVIL WAR]] America. In 1835 Ralph's owner had given his slave a unique opportunity by granting him five years outside of Missouri if he wished to raise $550 to buy his freedom. (1) Ralph, hearing of the fortunes to be made in the [[LEAD]] mines of Dubuque, moved north.		[[Image:IMG_4509.JPG\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]MONTGOMERY, Ralph. (1795-Dubuque, IA, July 23, 1870). In failing to consider the case of Ralph, the United States Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision inflamed those in resistance to slavery in the United States. Ralph, a slave for Jordan Montgomery in Missouri, took his owner's last name as his own, a common practice in pre-[[CIVIL WAR]] America. In 1835 Ralph's owner had given his slave a unique opportunity by granting him five years outside of Missouri if he wished to raise $550 to buy his freedom. (1) Ralph, hearing of the fortunes to be made in the [[LEAD]] mines of Dubuque, moved north.

	After five years, when Ralph had still not earned the money, his Missouri owner hired two Virginians to return Ralph. The plan was to kidnap him, travel quickly to Bellevue, and board a steamboat. The kidnapping was witnessed by Alexander Butterworth, a Dubuque farmer. Butterworth hurried to town and contacted judge [[WILSON, Thomas S.\|Thomas S. WILSON]] who wrote out orders to the sheriff to return Ralph to Dubuque. Wilson realized the importance of the case and asked that it be taken to the supreme court of Iowa territory. (2)		After five years, when Ralph had still not earned the money, his Missouri owner hired two Virginians to return Ralph. The plan was to kidnap him, travel quickly to Bellevue, and board a steamboat. The kidnapping was witnessed by Alexander Butterworth, a Dubuque farmer. Butterworth hurried to town and contacted judge [[WILSON, Thomas S.\|Thomas S. WILSON]] who wrote out orders to the sheriff to return Ralph to Dubuque. Wilson realized the importance of the case and asked that it be taken to the supreme court of Iowa territory. (2)

	The kidnapping of Ralph led to the first case heard before the new territorial Supreme Court. David Rorer, Ralph's attorney, argued that by living in Iowa when the area was made a territory by Congress established Ralph as a free man. Rorer also used an English case in which it was ruled that a slave having lived in a free country could not be taken to another land that would again lead him into slavery. According to his attorney, the only obligation Ralph owed was to raise the $550 for his former owner in Missouri.		The kidnapping of Ralph led to the first case being heard on July 4, 1839 before the new territorial Supreme Court. David Rorer, Ralph's attorney, represented his client without charge had given freedom to his own slaves while residing in Arkansas. He argued that by living in Iowa when the area was made a territory by Congress established Ralph as a free man. Rorer also used an English case in which it was ruled that a slave having lived in a free country could not be taken to another land that would again lead him into slavery. According to his attorney, the only obligation Ralph owed was to raise the $550 for his former owner in Missouri. This issue was part of the Blacks and Mulatto Act of 1839 which had prohibited blacks from settling in Iowa without evidence of freedom and the posting of a $500 bond.

	Attorneys for the Missouri man argued that Ralph had not lived up to his part of the arrangement made with their client and therefore he should be returned to Missouri under conditions of the Fugitive Slave Law.		Attorneys for the Missouri man argued that Ralph had not lived up to his part of the arrangement made with their client and therefore he should be returned to Missouri under conditions of the Fugitive Slave Law.

	The case, called "In the Matter of Ralph (a colored man)," made history as the first decision of the Iowa Supreme Court. The court with Chief Justice Charles Mason and Wilson and Joseph Williams as associate justices ruled that by allowing Ralph to come into a free land, the Missouri owner had granted his slave freedom. In the background to the decision were two regional laws forbidding slavery in Iowa. The Ordinance of 1787 governing the Northwest Territory stated that "no man shall be deprived of his liberty...but by the law of the land...and that "there shall be neither slavery no involuntary servitude" in the Northwest Territory of which Iowa was a part. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 stated that "slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes...shall be...forever prohibited" north of Missouri. (3) On Independence Day 1839 Ralph was declared a free man. (4)		The case, called "In the Matter of Ralph (a colored man," made history as the first decision of the Iowa Supreme Court. The court with Chief Justice Charles Mason and Wilson and Joseph Williams as associate justices ruled that by allowing Ralph to come into a free land, the Missouri owner had granted his slave freedom. In the background to the decision were two regional laws forbidding slavery in Iowa. The Ordinance of 1787 governing the Northwest Territory stated that "no man shall be deprived of his liberty...but by the law of the land...and that "there shall be neither slavery no involuntary servitude" in the Northwest Territory of which Iowa was a part. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 stated that "slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes...shall be...forever prohibited" north of Missouri. (3) On Independence Day 1839 Ralph was declared a free man. (4)

	The ruling in the Ralph Case stands in stark comparison to the decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott, a slave taken into free lands by his owner. Scott was declared to be a slave by the court that ruled that he, being a black, had no right to sue in United States courts. Historians can only guess what decision the court might have reached if the Ralph Case had been better known and what influence this might have had on events leading up to the Civil War.		The ruling in the Ralph Case stands in stark comparison to the decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott, a slave taken into free lands by his owner. Scott was declared to be a slave by the court that ruled that he, being a black, had no right to sue in United States courts. Historians can only guess what decision the court might have reached if the Ralph Case had been better known and what influence this might have had on events leading up to the Civil War.

	It is said that a year later, Judge Wilson found Ralph working in the judge's garden. Ralph informed that judge that he was not working for what the judge had done for ~~Ralph~~. The former slave just wanted the judge to know that he (Ralph) would never forget.		It is said that a year later, Judge Wilson found Ralph working in the judge's garden. Ralph informed that judge that he was not working for what the judge had done for him. The former slave just wanted the judge to know that he (Ralph) would never forget.

	Ralph continued mining all his life and lived his final years in the county poorhouse. He died in the pesthouse of [[SMALLPOX]], a disease he contracted while nursing a sick patient. (5)		Ralph continued mining all his life and lived his final years in the county poorhouse. He died in the pesthouse of [[SMALLPOX]], a disease he contracted while nursing a sick patient. (5)

Randylyon at 01:54, 24 October 2016

2016-10-24T01:54:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:54, 24 October 2016
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	[[Image:IMG_4509.JPG~~.png~~\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]MONTGOMERY, Ralph. (1795-Dubuque, IA, July 23, 1870). In failing to consider the case of Ralph, the United States Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision inflamed those in resistance to slavery in the United States. Ralph, a slave for a Mr. Montgomery in Missouri, took his owner's last name as his own, a common practice in pre-[[CIVIL WAR]] America. In 1835 Ralph's owner had given his slave a unique opportunity by granting him five years outside of Missouri if he wished to raise $550 to buy his freedom. (1) Ralph, hearing of the fortunes to be made in the [[LEAD]] mines of Dubuque, moved north.		[[Image:IMG_4509.JPG\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]MONTGOMERY, Ralph. (1795-Dubuque, IA, July 23, 1870). In failing to consider the case of Ralph, the United States Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision inflamed those in resistance to slavery in the United States. Ralph, a slave for a Mr. Montgomery in Missouri, took his owner's last name as his own, a common practice in pre-[[CIVIL WAR]] America. In 1835 Ralph's owner had given his slave a unique opportunity by granting him five years outside of Missouri if he wished to raise $550 to buy his freedom. (1) Ralph, hearing of the fortunes to be made in the [[LEAD]] mines of Dubuque, moved north.

	After five years, when Ralph had still not earned the money, his Missouri owner hired two Virginians to return Ralph. The plan was to kidnap him, travel quickly to Bellevue, and board a steamboat. The kidnapping was witnessed by Alexander Butterworth, a Dubuque farmer. Butterworth hurried to town and contacted judge [[WILSON, Thomas S.\|Thomas S. WILSON]] who wrote out orders to the sheriff to return Ralph to Dubuque. Wilson realized the importance of the case and asked that it be taken to the supreme court of Iowa territory. (2)		After five years, when Ralph had still not earned the money, his Missouri owner hired two Virginians to return Ralph. The plan was to kidnap him, travel quickly to Bellevue, and board a steamboat. The kidnapping was witnessed by Alexander Butterworth, a Dubuque farmer. Butterworth hurried to town and contacted judge [[WILSON, Thomas S.\|Thomas S. WILSON]] who wrote out orders to the sheriff to return Ralph to Dubuque. Wilson realized the importance of the case and asked that it be taken to the supreme court of Iowa territory. (2)

Randylyon at 01:53, 24 October 2016

2016-10-24T01:53:47Z

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	MONTGOMERY, Ralph. (~~Unknown~~-Dubuque, IA, July 22, 1870). In failing to consider the case of Ralph, the United States Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision inflamed those in resistance to slavery in the United States. Ralph, a slave for a Mr. Montgomery in Missouri, took his owner's last name as his own, a common practice in pre-[[CIVIL WAR]] America. In 1835 Ralph's owner had given his slave a unique opportunity by granting him five years outside of Missouri if he wished to raise $550 to buy his freedom. (1) Ralph, hearing of the fortunes to be made in the [[LEAD]] mines of Dubuque, moved north.		[[Image:IMG_4509.JPG.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|]]MONTGOMERY, Ralph. (1795-Dubuque, IA, July 23, 1870). In failing to consider the case of Ralph, the United States Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision inflamed those in resistance to slavery in the United States. Ralph, a slave for a Mr. Montgomery in Missouri, took his owner's last name as his own, a common practice in pre-[[CIVIL WAR]] America. In 1835 Ralph's owner had given his slave a unique opportunity by granting him five years outside of Missouri if he wished to raise $550 to buy his freedom. (1) Ralph, hearing of the fortunes to be made in the [[LEAD]] mines of Dubuque, moved north.

	After five years, when Ralph had still not earned the money, his Missouri owner hired two Virginians to return Ralph. The plan was to kidnap him, travel quickly to Bellevue, and board a steamboat. The kidnapping was witnessed by Alexander Butterworth, a Dubuque farmer. Butterworth hurried to town and contacted judge [[WILSON, Thomas S.\|Thomas S. WILSON]] who wrote out orders to the sheriff to return Ralph to Dubuque. Wilson realized the importance of the case and asked that it be taken to the supreme court of Iowa territory. (2)		After five years, when Ralph had still not earned the money, his Missouri owner hired two Virginians to return Ralph. The plan was to kidnap him, travel quickly to Bellevue, and board a steamboat. The kidnapping was witnessed by Alexander Butterworth, a Dubuque farmer. Butterworth hurried to town and contacted judge [[WILSON, Thomas S.\|Thomas S. WILSON]] who wrote out orders to the sheriff to return Ralph to Dubuque. Wilson realized the importance of the case and asked that it be taken to the supreme court of Iowa territory. (2)

Randylyon at 01:38, 24 October 2016

2016-10-24T01:38:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:38, 24 October 2016
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	He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."		He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."

	[[Image:rmp.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Photo courtesy: Diane Harris]]On October 1, 2016 a monument to Ralph was unveiled in Linwood Cemetery "in an ongoing effort to highlight Iowa’s role in 'shattering the silence' on the issue of racial inequality."		[[Image:rmp.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Photo courtesy: Diane Harris]]
			On October 1, 2016 a monument to Ralph was unveiled in Linwood Cemetery "in an ongoing effort to highlight Iowa’s role in 'shattering the silence' on the issue of racial inequality."

	“We are, in fact, gathered today to honor a man		“We are, in fact, gathered today to honor a man
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	More than 60,000 people are buried in Linwood Cemetery. Montgomery’s monument is the only one known that does not mark a burial site. (7)		More than 60,000 people are buried in Linwood Cemetery. Montgomery’s monument is the only one known that does not mark a burial site. (7)

Randylyon at 01:37, 24 October 2016

2016-10-24T01:37:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:37, 24 October 2016
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	He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."		He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."

	[[Image:rmp.~~jpg~~\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Photo courtesy: Diane Harris]]On October 1, 2016 a monument to Ralph was unveiled in Linwood Cemetery "in an ongoing effort to highlight Iowa’s role in 'shattering the silence' on the issue of racial inequality."		[[Image:rmp.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Photo courtesy: Diane Harris]]On October 1, 2016 a monument to Ralph was unveiled in Linwood Cemetery "in an ongoing effort to highlight Iowa’s role in 'shattering the silence' on the issue of racial inequality."

	“We are, in fact, gathered today to honor a man		“We are, in fact, gathered today to honor a man

Randylyon at 01:33, 24 October 2016

2016-10-24T01:33:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:33, 24 October 2016
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	He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."		He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."

	On October 1, 2016 a monument to Ralph was unveiled in Linwood Cemetery "in an ongoing effort to highlight Iowa’s role in 'shattering the silence' on the issue of racial inequality."		[[Image:rmp.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Photo courtesy: Diane Harris]]On October 1, 2016 a monument to Ralph was unveiled in Linwood Cemetery "in an ongoing effort to highlight Iowa’s role in 'shattering the silence' on the issue of racial inequality."

	“We are, in fact, gathered today to honor a man		“We are, in fact, gathered today to honor a man

Randylyon at 03:52, 19 October 2016

2016-10-19T03:52:46Z

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 He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."
 ---
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 . Richard, Lord Acton and Patricia Nassif Acton, '''To Go Free: A Treasury of Iowa's Legal Heritage''', Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1995, p. 47
 Bezanson, Elaine Croyle, ''The Goldfinch'' 16: No. 4 (Summer 1995). Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa.

Randylyon at 16:48, 29 November 2015

2015-11-29T16:48:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 29 November 2015
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	MONTGOMERY, Ralph. (Unknown-Dubuque, IA, July 22, 1870). In failing to consider the case of Ralph, the United States Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision inflamed those in resistance to slavery in the United States. Ralph, a slave for a Mr. Montgomery in Missouri, took his owner's last name as his own, a common practice in pre-[[CIVIL WAR]] America. In 1835 Ralph's owner had given his slave a unique opportunity by granting him five years outside of Missouri if he wished to raise $550 to buy his freedom. (1) Ralph, hearing of the fortunes to be made in the [[LEAD]] mines of Dubuque, moved north.		MONTGOMERY, Ralph. (Unknown-Dubuque, IA, July 22, 1870). In failing to consider the case of Ralph, the United States Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision inflamed those in resistance to slavery in the United States. Ralph, a slave for a Mr. Montgomery in Missouri, took his owner's last name as his own, a common practice in pre-[[CIVIL WAR]] America. In 1835 Ralph's owner had given his slave a unique opportunity by granting him five years outside of Missouri if he wished to raise $550 to buy his freedom. (1) Ralph, hearing of the fortunes to be made in the [[LEAD]] mines of Dubuque, moved north.

	After five years, when Ralph had still not earned the money, is Missouri owner hired two Virginians to return Ralph. The plan was to kidnap him, travel quickly to Bellevue, and board a steamboat. The kidnapping was witnessed by Alexander Butterworth, a Dubuque farmer. Butterworth hurried to town and contacted judge [[WILSON, Thomas S.\|Thomas S. WILSON]] who wrote out orders to the sheriff to return Ralph to Dubuque. Wilson realized the importance of the case and asked that it be taken to the supreme court of Iowa territory. (2)		After five years, when Ralph had still not earned the money, his Missouri owner hired two Virginians to return Ralph. The plan was to kidnap him, travel quickly to Bellevue, and board a steamboat. The kidnapping was witnessed by Alexander Butterworth, a Dubuque farmer. Butterworth hurried to town and contacted judge [[WILSON, Thomas S.\|Thomas S. WILSON]] who wrote out orders to the sheriff to return Ralph to Dubuque. Wilson realized the importance of the case and asked that it be taken to the supreme court of Iowa territory. (2)

	The kidnapping of Ralph led to the first case heard before the new territorial Supreme Court. David Rorer, Ralph's attorney, argued that by living in Iowa when the area was made a territory by Congress established Ralph as a free man. Rorer also used an English case in which it was ruled that a slave having lived in a free country could not be taken to another land that would again lead him into slavery. According to his attorney, the only obligation Ralph owed was to raise the $550 for his former owner in Missouri.		The kidnapping of Ralph led to the first case heard before the new territorial Supreme Court. David Rorer, Ralph's attorney, argued that by living in Iowa when the area was made a territory by Congress established Ralph as a free man. Rorer also used an English case in which it was ruled that a slave having lived in a free country could not be taken to another land that would again lead him into slavery. According to his attorney, the only obligation Ralph owed was to raise the $550 for his former owner in Missouri.
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	The case, called "In the Matter of Ralph (a colored man)," made history as the first decision of the Iowa Supreme Court. The court with Chief Justice Charles Mason and Wilson and Joseph Williams as associate justices ruled that by allowing Ralph to come into a free land, the Missouri owner had granted his slave freedom. In the background to the decision were two regional laws forbidding slavery in Iowa. The Ordinance of 1787 governing the Northwest Territory stated that "no man shall be deprived of his liberty...but by the law of the land...and that "there shall be neither slavery no involuntary servitude" in the Northwest Territory of which Iowa was a part. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 stated that "slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes...shall be...forever prohibited" north of Missouri. (3) On Independence Day 1839 Ralph was declared a free man. (4)		The case, called "In the Matter of Ralph (a colored man)," made history as the first decision of the Iowa Supreme Court. The court with Chief Justice Charles Mason and Wilson and Joseph Williams as associate justices ruled that by allowing Ralph to come into a free land, the Missouri owner had granted his slave freedom. In the background to the decision were two regional laws forbidding slavery in Iowa. The Ordinance of 1787 governing the Northwest Territory stated that "no man shall be deprived of his liberty...but by the law of the land...and that "there shall be neither slavery no involuntary servitude" in the Northwest Territory of which Iowa was a part. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 stated that "slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes...shall be...forever prohibited" north of Missouri. (3) On Independence Day 1839 Ralph was declared a free man. (4)

	The ruling in the Ralph Case stands in stark comparison to the decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott, a slave taken into free lands by his owner. Scott was declared to be a slave by the court that ruled that he, being a black, had no right to sue in United States courts. Historians can only guess what decision the court might have reached if the Ralph Case had been better known, and what influence this might have had on events leading up to the Civil War.		The ruling in the Ralph Case stands in stark comparison to the decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott, a slave taken into free lands by his owner. Scott was declared to be a slave by the court that ruled that he, being a black, had no right to sue in United States courts. Historians can only guess what decision the court might have reached if the Ralph Case had been better known and what influence this might have had on events leading up to the Civil War.

	It is said that a year later, Judge Wilson found Ralph working in the judge's garden. Ralph informed that judge that he was not working for what the judge had done for Ralph. The former slave just wanted the judge to know that he (Ralph) would never forget.		It is said that a year later, Judge Wilson found Ralph working in the judge's garden. Ralph informed that judge that he was not working for what the judge had done for Ralph. The former slave just wanted the judge to know that he (Ralph) would never forget.

	Ralph continued mining all his life and lived his final years in ~~lodging and~~ the county poorhouse. He died in the pesthouse of [[SMALLPOX]], a disease he contracted while nursing a sick patient. (5)		Ralph continued mining all his life and lived his final years in the county poorhouse. He died in the pesthouse of [[SMALLPOX]], a disease he contracted while nursing a sick patient. (5)

	He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."		He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."

Randylyon at 02:47, 10 May 2015

2015-05-10T02:47:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:47, 10 May 2015
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	2. Ibid.		2. Ibid.

	3. "Dubuque Court Frees a Slave," Telegraph Herald, August 7, 1960, Iowa News, p. 1		3. "Dubuque Court Frees a Slave," ''Telegraph Herald'', August 7, 1960, Iowa News, p. 1

	4. Moeller		4. Moeller

Randylyon at 02:47, 10 May 2015

2015-05-10T02:47:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:47, 10 May 2015
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	Attorneys for the Missouri man argued that Ralph had not lived up to his part of the arrangement made with their client and therefore he should be returned to Missouri under conditions of the Fugitive Slave Law.		Attorneys for the Missouri man argued that Ralph had not lived up to his part of the arrangement made with their client and therefore he should be returned to Missouri under conditions of the Fugitive Slave Law.

	The case, called "In the Matter of Ralph (a colored man)," made history as the first decision of the Iowa Supreme Court. The court with Chief Justice Charles Mason and Wilson and Joseph Williams as associate justices ruled that by allowing Ralph to come into a free land, the Missouri owner had granted his slave freedom. On Independence Day 1839 Ralph was declared a free man. (3)		The case, called "In the Matter of Ralph (a colored man)," made history as the first decision of the Iowa Supreme Court. The court with Chief Justice Charles Mason and Wilson and Joseph Williams as associate justices ruled that by allowing Ralph to come into a free land, the Missouri owner had granted his slave freedom. In the background to the decision were two regional laws forbidding slavery in Iowa. The Ordinance of 1787 governing the Northwest Territory stated that "no man shall be deprived of his liberty...but by the law of the land...and that "there shall be neither slavery no involuntary servitude" in the Northwest Territory of which Iowa was a part. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 stated that "slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes...shall be...forever prohibited" north of Missouri. (3) On Independence Day 1839 Ralph was declared a free man. (4)

	The ruling in the Ralph Case stands in stark comparison to the decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott, a slave taken into free lands by his owner. Scott was declared to be a slave by the court that ruled that he, being a black, had no right to sue in United States courts. Historians can only guess what decision the court might have reached if the Ralph Case had been better known, and what influence this might have had on events leading up to the Civil War.		The ruling in the Ralph Case stands in stark comparison to the decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott, a slave taken into free lands by his owner. Scott was declared to be a slave by the court that ruled that he, being a black, had no right to sue in United States courts. Historians can only guess what decision the court might have reached if the Ralph Case had been better known, and what influence this might have had on events leading up to the Civil War.
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	It is said that a year later, Judge Wilson found Ralph working in the judge's garden. Ralph informed that judge that he was not working for what the judge had done for Ralph. The former slave just wanted the judge to know that he (Ralph) would never forget.		It is said that a year later, Judge Wilson found Ralph working in the judge's garden. Ralph informed that judge that he was not working for what the judge had done for Ralph. The former slave just wanted the judge to know that he (Ralph) would never forget.

	Ralph continued mining all his life and lived his final years in lodging and the county poorhouse. He died in the pesthouse of ~~small pox~~, a disease he contracted while nursing a sick patient. (4)		Ralph continued mining all his life and lived his final years in lodging and the county poorhouse. He died in the pesthouse of [[SMALLPOX]], a disease he contracted while nursing a sick patient. (5)

	He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."		He was buried in the City Cemetery which became in later years [[JACKSON PARK]]. When that cemetery was closed, the remains were among those moved to [[LINWOOD CEMETERY]] where they were buried in a mass grave now called "Gone But Not Forgotten."
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	2. Ibid.		2. Ibid.

	3. ~~Ibid~~.		3. "Dubuque Court Frees a Slave," Telegraph Herald, August 7, 1960, Iowa News, p. 1

	4. Richard, Lord Acton and Patricia Nassif Acton, '''To Go Free: A Treasury of Iowa's Legal Heritage''', Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1995, p. 47		4. Moeller

			5. Richard, Lord Acton and Patricia Nassif Acton, '''To Go Free: A Treasury of Iowa's Legal Heritage''', Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1995, p. 47

	Bezanson, Elaine Croyle, ''The Goldfinch'' 16: No. 4 (Summer 1995). Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa.		Bezanson, Elaine Croyle, ''The Goldfinch'' 16: No. 4 (Summer 1995). Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa.