Tom Riddler, born in 1802 and died in 1851, was a symbol of hope to Africans and Negros alike. He was born to Mary Lee Joseph Riddler and Harry Joe Watson Riddler in Senegal, Africa. Some historians believe that his real dad was Alben Thomas Walker. As a young boy he enjoyed picking blue berries and red nut lily pads for his family. His mother was often proud of his work and eagerness to help the family. When he aged 16, he became a man in his tribe and was ready to take on the role as chief of the White River Grass tribe, but tragedy struck. White slave hunters found his tribe and started taking people as prisoners. Tom tried to stop them, but it only resulted in the burning down of his village. It is said that both of Tom’s beloved parents died in the burning. Tom put up an impressive fight, but sadly failed. He was taken overseas to America. He was auctioned off to the Swatsin family for a documented amount of $38. He worked for the family for some 10 years. When he was 27, he dreamed of being free. In that same year, he and others tried to escape. The overseers saw them running and shot down many. Of the group 10 survived, but paid serious consequences. Tom Riddler had been shot in the lower back. He escaped along the Underground Railroad and was treated for his wound by a female doctor named Marry. After she cured him, he asked her in her hand of marriage, but she forcefully declined. Tom moved on and attempted to get to the North, but followed the Western Star instead of the North Star. Still outrunning slave catchers, he arrived in Tennessee. Starving and dying, a little boy named Jackson found him perched on a tree. He brought him inside and fed him. He kept Tom as a pet and they would play games together in secret from his parents, for fear that his mom would find out. One of their favorite games was fetch, where Jackson would throw a makeshift baseball out in the woods. Tom would chase the ball and bring it back to his owner. One day Jackson’s mom, Peggy Lou, found Tom sleeping under Jackson’s bed. She told Jackson that he had to go. Jackson threw his ball one last time for Tom. When Tom came back, Jackson had disappeared. Taped to the baseball was a ticket to Africa. Tom could finally go home. Unfortunately, fate would not allow that. Along the way, Tom’s old master’s men found Tom. As Tom was running, he tripped and broke his leg. He was trying to crawl away, but the slave catchers caught up to Tom. When they realized that he was useless with his broken leg, the men shot him through the skull. Tom was an amazing man with hopes and dreams, but they were sadly ended by cruel men.