Oakland City, IN: Press of the J.W. Cockrum Printing Company, 1915. First edition. 8vo. Original orange cloth gilt; publisher's rare dust jacket, minor losses and chipping along extremities, closed tears, some light soiling.

William Monroe Cockrum was born in Gibson County, Indiana, and became involved in the Underground Railroad during his late teens. Given its close proximity to Kentucky as well as its access to the Wabash River and the presence of the free black community of Lyles Station, Gibson County was of particular strategic importance to operations. During the Civil War Cockrum was wounded at the Battle of Chickamunga and later confined for eight months at Libby Prison. Upon release he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His home in Gibson County, Cockrum Hall, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.