Warren County Historical Society

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Warren County and the Civil War Quilt

This years QuiltQuilt

 

The Medora Ladie's Aid - A Fine Example of Intention and Purpose hand pieced this year's raffle quilt. The pattern is "Rocky Road to Dublin" and it is 72" by 90". The 108 year old Society keeps it's history inside a metal box in the form of 18 journals. The first entry of the first journal dated October 12,1907: "Desiring to assist in every possible way the work of the church in this community of Madora, Iowa, and having as a definite object the advancement of the cause of Christ, we the ladies of the said community, do organize ourselves into a Ladies Aid Society and adopt for our government and for the regulations of our proceedings, the following "Constitution and ByLaws". Two regulations within the bylaws: "Men may become members if they pay their dues, but they may not have a vote at meetings" and "Lifetime membership dues: 10 cents". Current member, Bonnie Borrall, tells us the dues remain the same. "Initially", says Bonnie, "it was neighbors visiting neighbors in their home. If someone had a quilt stretched on a frame, they would help. This was before the church had a usable basement. The basement was a dirt floor with a wood burning stove and not of much use." Now all you see in the basement - including a furnace, a fully equipped kitchen with three full size freezers, a commercial refrigerator and oven, tables and chairs, and carpeted floor - all financed by the Ladie's Aid. Every Thursday, in their basement kitchen, the Ladies prepare a free meal for the men in the field. After the meal, the ladies sit around the hand fashioned frame to sew on the current quilt - one of several that are offered to the highest bidder during their annual bazaar each November, their main fundraiser. Baked goods and crafts are also offered at auction. It's reported that Edwina Foley's sugar cookies are a big hit. Betty Ogle, 95, a member since 1953, recalls her most memorable quilts - commemorative ones honoring past members, out-going ministers, and one for an auctioneer who helped during the bazaars. She recalls the group raising money by filling bushel baskets of dropped corn after the field had been picked by a mechanical picker. An entry in the 1928 journal records "met at Ivan Gallaway's and picked corn. 26 bushels". For one dollar, you could be the lucky winner of this year's raffle quilt. Tickets are one for $1 or six for $5. They are available on the Indianola square at The Stitching Place and Glass Creations.

Pleas use the link below to buy your tickets on line.

Tickets