Description
Aged Pioneer of Quindaro Since 1862 - Mrs. Mollie Lewis Came to Free State by Underground Railway - - Kansas City, Kansas - (Special) - Funeral services for Mrs. Mollie Lewis, one of the last of Quindaro township’s pioneer settlers, were held Sunday afternoon, November 6, from the Allen Chapel A. M. E. Church here.
The 86-year-old woman, who had suffered from asthma for several years, died November 4, at the residence of her grandson, Charles “Toby” Grant, 2801 Sloan Avenue. She had been at the Grant residence about three months prior to her death. Previous to that time she lived in her own quarters at the home place, 3422 N. 29th St.
Born a slave, in 1852, in Clay County, Missouri, Mrs. Lewis escaped from slavery into “Free Kansas" at the age of 10 years. She was able to recall vividly her escape from the patrolled Missouri state-line into Kansas via the famous “underground railway.” She never met John Brown, famed abolitionist, but she was aided by him more than once. Her entry into Kansas, and freedom, was through the historic, old Quindaro caves.
Was Devout Christian - Mrs. Lewis resided in Quindaro from 1862 until the time of her death, with the exception of 15 years spent out of the state shortly after her marriage to the late John Wesley Lewis.
She was a member of the Allen Chapel A. M. E. church for 49 years, and was known as a devout Christian. As she died, according to Mrs. Charles Grant, her last words were. "Lord take me into Thy kingdom.”
She was a member of the Star of Bethlehem Lodge No 59, O. E. S., and Alpha Court No. 15, which conducted ceremonial rites at her funeral services. The Rev. Melvin C. Swann, pastor of Allen Chapel, officiated. Old settlers of Quindaro township, served as pallbearers. Burial was in Quindaro cemetery with the Mrs. J. W. Jones funeral home in charge.
Survivors of Mrs. Lewis are: a grandson, Charles Grant, where-abouts unknown; three great-grandchildren, Charles Grant Jr., George Lee Grant, and Lottie Grant; and a cousin, Edin Endicott, all of Quindaro.
(Researcher's note: For more information about Mollie Lewis, see record titled 11/12/1937: "Quindaro Woman Relates History of Old Settlement - Mrs. Mollie Lewis, Former Slave, Recalls Incidents of Underground Railway; Once Helped Ex-Master".)Date(s) of Creation
11/18/1938
