[originaltext] Before the Civil War, if you were black and born a free man,

Before the Civil War, if you were black and born a free man, you could still be forced into slavery. That’s what happened to Solomon Northup. Northup was born a free man in Minerva New York in 1808. He was a carpenter and a talented drummer. In 1834, he and his wife moved to Saratoga Springs, New York, where they had three children.
     (23)In 1841, Northup met two men who claimed to be from a circus. Because he needed the money, Northup agreed to join them as a drummer in Washington P. C. Once they reached Washington, however, the men drugged, chained, robbed, and sold him to a slave trader. Northup was shipped south to New Orleans along with other slaves, where he was sold in a slave market. He spent the next twelve years as a slave working for three masters. Northup worked hard and endured much cruelty, but he was always looking for the chance to escape or contact his family and friends in New York.(24)Finally in 1852 Northup befriended Samuel Bass, a Canadian carpenter. With his help, Northup sent a letter to his friends in New York. Through the help of his friends, he regained his freedom in 1853. Northup returned to New York, where he was finally reunited with his family.
    Northup has many descendants, who gathered together in Saratoga Springs on July 24, 1999, for a tribute to their ancestor.(25)The town of Saratoga Springs declared July 24 Solomon Northup Day to remember the suffering of Northup and other African Americans who lived as slaves.
23. What happened to Solomon Northup in 1841?
24. Who helped Northup regain contact with his friends?
25. What did the town of Saratoga Springs do?