The Exemplary Life of General Tootle By Diana Vice   This sketch by Artist George Winter was of a prominent Lafayette black man. Some historians believe this was General Tootle, who was the most popular African American during the time this was created. General Tootle Takes a Stand His name was General Tootle.   He lived up to that name throughout his life as a respected community leader and conductor on the local Underground Railroad. Indiana was a free state when it came to slavery, but the Slavery Act of 1850 made it possible for Southern slave catchers to enter free states to capture freedom-seekers who had escaped from bondage. The unwelcome law also made it illegal for anyone to assist runaway slaves, which included fines of $1,000 for officials caught disobeying the law.   General Tootle took a stand against the unfair Act and secretly helped many fugitives navigate their way through Lafayette, Indiana, and surrounding areas. One hot summer day in ...