Report of the Quilting Women: Murtishaw, Baze, Bell, Maxwell and Wylie, 1930's - Robert Lee, Coke County, TX Contributed by Jo Collier 20 January 2004 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/txfiles.htm *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise, Robert Lee, Coke County, TX-September 12, 2003 Report of the "Quilting Women" by Ava Lou Davis While rummaging through items in the old Coke County Jail, a quilt top was found that was made in the 1930's and 40's by a group of women from the Robert Lee area. The quilt top was donated to the Robert Lee United Methodist Women, and they voted to make a quilt from the old quilt top. The finished product will be dedicated and hung in the church for public viewing during the upcoming Street Affair on October 4. Listed below are some of the women who were involved in the initial quilting during the 30's and 40's. Eva Murtishaw, one of the women whose name is on the antique quilt, was famous. When she was a young girl, she made the first flag that was flown in Coke County. She made it by hand in 1894. Her maiden name was Vestal. Emma Baze and Albert Baze lived on a ranch outside of Robert Lee. Her son, Albert Baze, Jr., attended Robert Lee High School. Albert Jr. was captain of the first football team for Robert Lee. His wife to be, was the leader of the Pep Squad, Lois Denman. Lizzie Bell and her husband, W. H. Bell lived across the street on a hill overlooking Mountain Creek. Her grandchildren call her Grammie. So everyone here has been misinformed. It wasn't Mountain Creek, it was Grammie's Creek. Ava Maxwell was another woman who wasn't afraid to show what she believed in. Doo Dad Davis was putting a new roof on the W. H. Maxwell house. He was surprised when Ava came up the ladder barefooted with a Bible in her hand to show him about foot washing in the scripture. Weta Wylie is the wife of the late McNeil Wylie, Coke County Judge. Weta taught English for several years at Robert Lee High School. She was active in the WSCS of the Methodist Church. She lives in Norman, OK, close to her daughter, Janie Aebersold. She remembers making the quilt with all her friends. We will highlight more of these important ladies in future issues. Permission granted by The Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb Archives.