Southern newspapers routinely ran ads offering rewards for runaway slaves

Runaway slaves were always a serious problem. They were very valuable.

During an 1859 auction in Georgia a healthy "prime" male slave aged 22, a trained cotton field hand, had sold for $1,260 [$39,000 today]. By contrast an 11 year old girl at that same auction only cost $300 [$9,300].

Ivan and Mary Potter shopping in Hazel KY

Meet the husband and wife team responsible for West Kentucky Journal.

Editor's Note: Updated - Ivan Potter retired from the Clinton City Council as of January 1, 2017.

WKJ now has over 6000 articles and 2.5 million yearly views.