three distinctive prairie ranges dominated the landscape of western illinois, the bushinal prairie, carthage and enormous hancock prairie. fugitive slaves heading out of the slave state of missouri crossed into these illinois counties taking advantage of the numerous underground stations that operated inside of the grassy region. slaves working on barges and steam boats as deckhands, barbers, cooks, maids also fled from these river crafts. if they would leave they had a decent chance of escaping safely. this was not to suggest that fugitive slaves were home free once they arrived in western illinois. many never made contact with underground railroad agents. these fugitives made their way depending on their own wit, guile and sheer determination. others were tracked down and returned to bondage. slave owners hired detectives or full time slave trackers to go after escapees. many trackers use what were called negrodogs specifically trained to hunt down run away slaves. these dogs could tear a slave to pieces. bounty hunters were quick to turn in a slave for handsome rewards. owen lovejoy unlik