Bell Rack on model, Museum Mobile, Ala.

Bell Rack on model, Museum Mobile, Ala.

Galliard, Richbourg
Fugitive Slaves-Alabama-Mobile
United

The bell rack. Contraption used by an Alabama slave owner to guard a runaway slave. This rack was originally topped by a bell which rang when the runaway attempted to leave the road and go through foliage or trees. It was attached around the neck as shown in the picture. A belt passed through the loop at the bottom to hold the iron rod firmly fastened to the waist of the wearer. In the accompanying photograph Richbourg Gailliard, assistant to the director of the Federal Museum and also a well-known young Mobile artist, poses to show the use made of the bell rack.

Gailliard, Richbourg

Portraits of African American ex-slaves from the U.S. Works Progress Administration, Federal Writers' Project slave narratives collections.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

1840-1870

Prints & Photographs Reading Room (Madison, LM337)

No known restrictions on reproduction

1 photographic print: gelatin silver; 7 x 5 in.

English

Fugitive slaves-Alabama-Mobile-1840-1870

1 photographic print : gelatin silver

7 x 5 in