The Underground Railroad was a system of safe homes for slaves to stay at on their journey north to escape the owners. A formal organization dedicated to helping slaves escape started to develop around the late 1800’s. The system grew and was eventually called the Underground Railroad. It adopted many terms from America's growing railroad industry including stations, depots, stationmasters, and conductors. The first step to a slave’s freedom would be to escape their master. Usually, they would rely on their own resources to run away, but sometimes, a conductor would pose as a slave and lead a group out at night. Slaves would travel 10 to 20 miles each day, getting help as they went. Some fugitives escaped by train or boat, which required money. Clothes were donated to the escapees to disguise them and avoid attention.