State of Indiana vs. Joseph A. Graves, Elisha W. Coleman, Hugh P. Songmore

Fugitive slaves often passed through Indiana on the underground railroad on their way to Canada. Runaway slaves were frequently pursued by their owners or slave hunters employed by the owners. Simply being in a free state did not make the slave free. The U.S. Constitution declared the escaped slaves could be pursued into any state or territory and forced to return to their owner. As antislavery feelings strengthened, slave hunters encountered increasing hostility in their efforts to recover fugitives. One such incident occurred in Elkhart County in 1847. Joseph Graves and two companions attempted to arrest Tom Harris, whom Graves claimed as his property. Tom's employer, Samuel Judson, and several neighbors came to his defense and disorder broke out. Graves and his friends were indicted for inciting a riot. Because Graves did not obtain his arrest warrant for Tom Harris from the county clerk, the judge said the arrest was illegal. Graves and his companions were found guilty and fined while Tom was discharged from custody. In May 1849 the Indiana Supreme Court overturned Graves's conviction and ordered a new trial. The court ruled that federal law on fugitive slaves took precedence over state law. Because of cases such as this, Congress modified the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850 and gave enforcement of the law entirely over to federal officials