My grandmother born in 1881 told about quilts made by slaves that told stories. That was way before 1990 myths. When my grandmother sewed quilts she would emphasize that every quilt should tell a story that would be understood by the person who would use the quilt. My grandmother's aunt had a hotel along the Ohio River in the 1800s and gave refuge to persons traveling north to escape slavery. I never heard her say that quilts were used as markers of any kind but it does make sense. Desperate people find ways to reach their destinations. My older sister remembers the quilt stories my grandmother told also. The difference is that my sister didn't want to hear about any of it. She thought grandma was a little nutty. Now she thinks grandma was pretty smart. So it is like any other subject, some will believe and others will not. Of course, in the future it may not be so mythical.