Escape 28

Escape 28

Set in 1853, Boone County, Kentucky, ‘Escape 28’ is an epic tale based on true events, and represents real life Underground Railroad heroes/sheroes. A blend of literary scholarship and creative licensing, we maintain historical accuracy as recorded via verbal accounts, and research. We salute the scholars, educators, researchers and oral historians for preserving The Escape of the 28 and for their preservation of stories similar in scope. ‘Escape 28’ is just one story of thousands that contains dark and light elements of America’s rich past. This honestly raw tale presents man at his most evil, and compassionate stages. ‘Escape 28’, those who made it, and those who they reenact, represent guts, will, and sheer determination.  Based on one of the largest documented escapes in American history, ‘Escape 28’ offers a bold step toward healing the racial divide in America. We especially hope that learning institutions across the country embrace ‘Escape 28’ as a teaching tool. Innovative sample lesson plans are available to educators.

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Introduction

ESCAPE 28 is a wondrous love story chock-full of adventure, heroes, suspense and villains. Enjoy this wild infectious ride on the Underground Railroad side, while the colored girls sing.

An epic tale, ESCAPE 28 salutes the tens of thousands who died for freedom, as well as those among America’s three hundred twenty-five million citizens who are too busy to hate. The Escape of the 28 highlights multiple religions and faiths.

Baptist, Quaker, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Wesleyan heroes all contributed. Women of both races provided food, clothing, and moral support. Their service, through private kitchens, sewing circles, and prayer sessions elevates them to “she-ro” status.

Fugitives John Fairfield, Washington Barker and Tillie Barker narrate. Many of the remaining characters speak a form of patois or dialect often misquoted, mocked and referred to as “gibberish.”

We know we have experienced true truth when inexplainable emotions rise from dormancy superseding all false realities. As a result, there is an awakening that, no matter how small, impacts thinking and shifts behavior, allowing for personal growth and human development if we do not impede the process.

Copyright © 2026 by Charles K Campbell

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations and in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America Published by: CKC PRODUCTIONS LLC

ISBN:
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number:
Artists: Mary Ann Wainscott and Manak Sood, M.D.

Acknowledgments

I extend a special vote of gratitude to the following researchers, historians, librarians, docents and artists.

They include, but are not limited to: Mary Ann Wainscott, Betty Ann Smiddy, Lisa Schuman, Diana Porter, Kathy Dahl, Craig Rush, Curt Burnette, Deborah Meadows, Samantha Meredith, Shannon Prince, Dr. Eric R. Jackson, Dr. Lauretta Sanders, Lenora Sanders, Kimberly Head, Carol Mull, Joanna Hahn, Bridget Striker, Hillary Delaney, and Mike Shoup. Also, thank you Northern Kentucky University, Central Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Adrian College, Clark Montessori High School, Rudolph Steiner High School, Ann Arbor Community High School, the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH), and other educational friends.

Foreword

One of the largest and best-documented flights to freedom by enslaved African Americans began on

April 2, 1853 and named by Levi Coffin as “The Company of Twenty-Eight Fugitives” (or Cincinnati 28).

Charles K Campbell’s ESCAPE 28 tells this powerful story with much precision and flair.

In the end, this book rests in the internal strength and spiritual fortitude of the African American experience as well as is dedicated to the thousands of people of African and non-African descent who have and continue to give their lives to make the world better for the next generation.

— Dr. Eric R. Jackson

No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.”

—Frederick Douglass

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