West of the Alleghanies are the broad plains of the Mississippi Valley, and in this great region human elements rather than physical characteristics proved influential.

Northern Ohio was occupied by settlers from the East, many of whom were anti-slavery.

Southern Ohio was populated largely by Quakers and other people from the slave States who abhorred slavery.

On the east and south the State bordered on slave territory, and every part of the region was traversed by lines of travel for the slave.

In eastern and northern Indiana a favorable attitude prevailed.
Southwestern Indiana, however, and southern Illinois were occupied by those less friendly to the slave, so that in these sections there is little evidence of systematic aid to fugitives.