Time for Some New Myths (Huntington Herald Letter to Editor)

Time for Some New Myths (Huntington Herald Letter to Editor)

by chris lahr

2/21/2008

On February 21, 2008 it was written that the Milligan Slave House is an urban myth in Huntington (“Huntington County Fugitive Slave Myth” to be exact). It was mentioned that somehow this “urban myth” is an insult to the 220-plus men from this County who gave their lives for the Union and Emancipation. I beg to differ…

A myth is a “traditional story presenting supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes…” Every society has myths, that is stories (some true, some false) that paint a picture of their past. In this case the Milligan Slave House is a “myth” known by people inside and outside of our community, and we must take this seriously.

So who is this Lambdin P. Milligan? The historical data states that he was a member of the “Knights of the Golden Circle,” a clandestine Southern sympathizing organization who made his home in good ol’ Huntington. On October 5,1864, Lambdin P. was arrested by federal authorities for treason (he led an armed uprising against the North) www.huntingtoncounty.org/history/famous.htm (also Google his name to find other relevant resources). As the story (myth) unfolds, Mr. Milligan was “set free” because he was supposed to be tried at a local level, rather than on a Federal level (historians call that “Habeas Corpus”). Oops.

At 2:30pm September 28, 1985 on West Park Drive the Huntington Historical Society, along with many other notable Huntington residents, held a dedication service of the “Lambdin P Milligan Slave House.” In the bulletin used for the event (which can be purchased in the Huntington Museum), Milligan is painted as a local hero who “risked his life to protect freedom for us and all Americans.” The bulletin goes on to say, “History does not record any evidence of any person, white, or black, being held in this stone house. Historically, one must recall that slavery was legal at that time, and the fugitive slave provision of the Compromise of 1850 required citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves, like citizens are today required to assist policeman.” So were there slaves held in the “slave house.” Who knows? It is interesting that somehow it is still referred to the “Slave House.” Also I find it quite offensive that someone felt it necessary to “justify” the name of the house by stating that, “capturing slaves was like assisting policeman today.” There could be nothing further from the truth! Slaves were not criminals (even if they were “runaways”) and Lambdin P. Milligan is not a hero for freedom. In fact it is those who associate themselves with the 220 courageous men who gave their lives for Emancipation in this County that should be at the forefront of raising the awareness of what went on, and seeking to rewrite a new chapter in Huntington’s racial history.

I wonder what it will be like a hundred years from now? What “myths” will be told about Huntington County? I hope that we are on the verge of creating new myths that tell the stories of our heroes and sheroes from both the past (such as the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and those who assisted in the underground railroad) and present times. Times are changing, and we should not try to ignore the past, but learn from it, and allow ourselves to dream of a new way of living. We each hold the opportunity to give Huntington a new identity that includes those who have not historically felt safe in our town. It is time for new heroes and sheroes to emerg

e and make a difference.