If the world were just, the name of Nance Legins-Costley would resonate amid the likes of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and other abolitionist rebels.
She was the first Black person freed by Lincoln, long before his presidency. Her grave was paved over and her story hardly known.
Phil Luciano, Journal Star
February 8, 2021, 6:32 AM·14 min read
PEORIA, Ill. – The name of Nance Legins-Costley could resonate amid the likes of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and other abolitionist figures.
But her story is hardly known. Not in Illinois, where – despite anti-slavery laws – she was born into bondage. Not in the city of Pekin, where – despite anti-Black attitudes – she became a beloved community figure. And certainly not in Peoria, where – despite her impressive life – she is buried in ignominy.
If the world were just, the name of Nance Legins-Costley would resonate amid the likes of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and other abolitionist rebels.
But her story is hardly known. Not in Illinois, where despite anti-slavery laws she was born into bondage. Not in Pekin, where despite anti-Black attitudes she became a beloved community figure. And certainly not in Peoria, where despite her impressive life she is buried in ignominy.
Perhaps her story is more subtle than those of high-profile abolitionist leaders, yet her fortitude was astounding. Barely a teen, she first stood up for her civil rights in a court of law that was stacked against Black people. Even amid legal defeats, she kept seeking the most basic of rights: freedom.
Top news from 1996, 1971, 1946, 1921
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Loren Else | ×
1996 – 25 years ago
The most popular baby names in 1995 were Michael for boys and Ashley and Elizabeth for girls.
1971 – 50 years ago
Rochester Police Chief James Macken told the Downtown Kiwanis Club that Rochester’s major crimes showed a 7.1 percent increase over 1969.
The University of Iowa’s Steve DeVries – a Rochester Mayo high school graduate – won the 177-pound championship in the eighth annual Midlands Wrestling Tournament in Chicago. (DeVries would coach at Cornell College and has been inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Hall of Fame.)
1946 – 75 years ago
Thirty U.S. cadet nurses arrived at Rochester State Hospital to begin studies and training in the three-month psychiatric course. The course includes training in electric shock therapy, bibliotherapy, recreation therapy, neurology, and work in the hospital wards. (Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic appr
On this day in 1995, 1970, 1945, 1920
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Loren Else | ×
1995 – 25 years ago
Minnesota’s Mall of America will soon open a giant aquarium with 8,000 fish, including walleye and a 14-foot tiger shark. Ryan Ruskell’s offensive rebound and put-back for a basket as the final buzzer sounded lifted Chatfield to a 48-47 victory over Grand Meadow in the first round of the Rebel Classic holiday boys basketball tournament at Riverside Arena.
1970 – 50 years ago
Robert Keister, an assistant for the past 10 years, was named head football coach at Winona State College. (Keister would coach four different sports in his time at Winona.) Rochester State Junior College’s wrestling team romped to a 39-5 victory over Western Tech in La Crosse, Wis. RSJC recorded five pins.