Author, historian speaks at Union County Museum

An audience of about 30 people were on hand last Sunday afternoon in Cobden for a presentation by local author and historian Darrel Dexter, who has published a new book titled “Bondage in Egypt: Slavery in Southern Illinois.”

The Union County Historical and Genealogy Society hosted a book signing and talk by the author Sunday afternoon at the Union County Museum in downtown Cobden.

“Bondage in Egypt” traces African slavery in Southern Illinois from 1720 to 1865. Dexter shared stories about slavery in Union County. He also talked about free African American communities in Union County.

The 636-page book with maps was published by Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. Dexter signed copies of the book bought by those attending the program.