«We have in our collection a beautiful brown paisley taffeta dress made at Red River in 1850. The silk was ordered from Paris. It was 27 inches wide so you can imagine how many yards you would need for a floor length skirt and bodice with long sleeves, as well as a matching cape.»

«Not all styles were accepted without criticism. That paisley gown has quite a low cut neckline and that was a subject of controversy at the time. Some people said it could lead to evil consequences. That dress [also] had something really useful, which was found in most skirts of that time. It was a concealed pocket, in the side seam. These pockets were quite deep and quite inconspicuous; a very good place to carry a fan, your smelling salts...any number of things.»

(Edna Holland fonds. Commentaries Series. Springfield Collegiate Presentation, February 24, 1983)