History buffs and others in the Peoria area now say they don't think a tunnel used this week as a hiding place by a robbery suspect was ever used by runaway slaves.

The man was found in a tunnel that runs between a home, apartments and a church. The apartments' owner thought the tunnel was once used to hide slaves and news reports about that possibility created a local stir.

But workers at the Peoria Public Library and others like Bob Killion of the Peoria Historical Society quickly expressed their doubts.

Sister Judith Ann Croegaert at St. Ann's Catholic Church said the only tunnel she knows of was dug for a boiler.

Killion believes the tunnel held steam pipes or other utilities.