Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

A Mystery Solved - the Old Friendship Quilt

I have had a quilt in my possession for a number of years, and it has been too many years for me to remember where I got it-how could I forget that? It must have come from an estate sale. This quilt is all cream, except for the colored baskets designed on small square blocks. The baskets are made of old-fashioned fabric and are made of many colors. At the top of the rim of each basket is embroidered the names of women. I recognize the names of these people. They were a part of the Naponee community many years ago. I have often thought to myself, “I wonder who these women were?”

I put this lightweight quilt on my bed just last week and again read the names outlined in black in what appears to be their signature. Then I saw two that were familiar, Lucile Bashford and Golda Bashford. I took a minute to write all the names on paper and sent them to a lady I correspond with about history, her name is Fay Bashford of Salem, OR. Fay and her husband, Ruben (who grew up north of Naponee) have been so helpful in my studies of Farmers Township. I can count on her and I have a folder full of letters from the both of them describing life the way it used to be many years ago. I can be assured when I mail a letter to her asking about someone in this area it will be no time until I get a detailed letter back from her telling me that answer. So, I sent off these Naponee names to her…Bertha Smith, Ella Buising, Minnie V. Roupp, Lucile Bashford, Clarice Norman, Dolly Goedeken, Blanche Houtz, Elsie M. Ely, Nora Ray, Esther Zimmerman, Golda Bashford, Marie Amman, Rosa Richter, Iva Clampett, Edith Stover, and Jennie Ray.

I’m including the wonderful letter I received from Fay Bashford:

“Dear Rena,

“That quilt you have was made by the Happy Hour Club in about 1930. I remember the club. All the members were relatives or friends. I think the quilt was sold to get money for some benefit. Here are the few memories of the club members.

“I belonged to another group called O. G. D. (Our Good Day). My daughter’s first outing after she was born was to this club meeting and she is now 71 years old, so this quilt has to be about 70 years old. These social clubs were entertainment for the ladies.

“Ella Buising was Adolph Amman’s daughter. She was married to Ed Buising. Ed’s father, Fred B. Buising, was a co-owner with Ray Drummond and Sam Ely in the Naponee Mill in the year 1922 and plus. After the mill closed, Ed and Ella Buising moved to Iowa.

“Bertha Smith was married to my third cousin, Dorsey Smith. They operated a grocery store. Later they moved to Franklin, where he was elected a county official. He died of a heart attack the evening of the election returns as he retired for bed, knowing he had been elected.

“Esther Zimmerman lived on the place where I was born after we moved south of the river at Naponee. We were good friends. Fay (Smith) Bashford was born on a farm in Farmers Township, Section 34, SE * west 80 acres. (Today that farm is situated just a little to the north and east of Robert Stiff’s home.

“Rosa Richter was the wife of Bruce Richter. Rosa came to work when she was 16 years old in Gillard’s Store in Naponee. Bruce Richter was the co-owner of a black smith shop just across the street from Gillard’s store.

“Nora Ray was the wife of Staque Ray, the mother of Lucile Bashford and the mother in law of Jennie Ray. Jennie and Mrs. Merlyn Ray. These were close friends and almost family to us. Lucile is still living in the Denver area. Her first husband was a brother of Ruben (Fay’s Husband).

“Golda Bashford lived in a care home in Riverside, CA. Roy, her husband died this January. He was Ruben’s brother (Fay’s Husband). Golda and I were youngsters together south of the river.

“Marie Amman was the daughter of Minnie Roupp. Roupps had a hardware and machinery store in Naponee. Marie was Rodney Richter’s mother-in-law.

“Blanche Houtz was a grade school teacher married to Veron Houtz.

“Edith Stover was a school mate of mine.

“Elsie Ely was the wife of Sam Ely. They ran the lumber. She is the mother of Clarice Norman.

“Iva Clampet was my sister-in-law. Violet Smith’s mother, they had the icehouse in Naponee.

“Rose Richter long-time neighbor and friend. Mrs. Ves Losey.

“All these people were close friends. I do not place Dolly Goedeken right now. Many memories come to mind of associations I have had with them. I think Golda and Lucile are all who are still living. Clarice Norman and Ella Buising could be… I’ve lost contact with them.

“How did you get the quilt? This has been interesting, as I remember when the club made it. Knowing it still exists was a surprise.

“Roy Bashford’s ashes will be brought for burial in their lots at Naponee around May 27. Rev. Duane Lauber will have a few words at the gravesite. Duane is a brother of our son-in-law, Floyd Lauber.

“We both are in good health again.” Fay Bashford

This old quilt hangs now on the railing at the head of the staircase. It gets passed from bed to bed and to the visitor as they sleep on the couch. It’s soft and comfortable and feels good against the skin. Sometimes it covers a person on the floor while they watch TV or it covers the sick and cold, but, from now on, it will get better care and it certainly has gained more respect from me. Others have looked at it. All were agreeable that it was a friendship quilt. However, through all these years, we never knew the real story till today. Fay (Smith) Bashford will be 95 years old in June 2000. Fay and Ruben still live in their own home and enjoy life to the fullest. Wait until I tell you her story of the recovered wedding pictures, of her parents that flew through the air for 35 miles! (A story for another day)

There is nothing new except what is forgotten. Mademoiselle Bertin (1744-1813)

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

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