Uncle Luke

Uncle Luke was Myrtle Berkley's brother-in-law. Beckie Royer only ever knew him as "Uncle Luke". When Myrtle and Beckie visited Myrtle's sister in Belpre, Ohio, Luke grudingly agreed to take them to Elizabeth, Virginia. Luke had been going that direction anyway, to run guns to the local Negro populations in anticipation of war breaking out between Ohio and Virginia.

Luke cleverly used Beckie and Myrtle's status as Californians to distract border guards safely take his load of guns into Elizabeth. Once they arrived, Luke ordered the two women out of the car, and went about his business.