Journey Through Time 52. Harriet Tubman: How Most Wanted Woman Never Got Caught (Ep 3)
Dec 1, 2025
Discover Harriet Tubman's ingenious escape tactics, including her strategic use of Saturdays and winter to elude capture. Learn about her daring journeys on railroads and her focus on reuniting enslaved families. The discussion also highlights John Brown's radical abolitionism and his collaboration with Tubman during the failed Harpers’ Ferry raid. Explore how Tubman’s reputation raised a bounty on her head while she remained largely unknown. The podcast paints a vivid picture of her relentless fight for freedom and her pivotal role in the abolitionist movement.
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Time Escapes For Maximum Head Start
- Run escapes on Saturday nights to gain a 48-hour head start before notices circulate.
- Use autumn/winter travel because longer nights and fewer people reduce detection risk.
Using Ordinary Travel As Camouflage
- Harriet used actual trains to travel into slave states because it appeared ordinary and avoided suspicion.
- She then led fugitives out on foot and later bought northern rail fares to reach Canada safely.
Use Songs As Coded Signals
- Sing slave spirituals at planned cues to seem ordinary while transmitting coded signals.
- Use everyday behaviors to reduce suspicion and communicate safety or danger to fugitives.