The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-29
A ShrOud Factory.

New York, says correspondent, IS
the recognized headquarters for the
clothing of the dead as we'll as OF the
living. There is nothing about shroud
factory to indicate the character OF Its
product. Even the rows of cotfins aud
enticinr varieties of caskets in the ware
room below seem to belong to another
business altogether. The showcases
that are visible from the head of the
stairs, with their display of the latest
styles in shrouds, appear to have been
left there, perhaps by some previous ten
ant, and bear no possible relation to the
use the rooms are now being put. 1t IS
yery difficult to imagine that these light
hearted girls who chat so merrlly over
their machines. are turning out burial
robes by the dozen, but such is the case,
and to them the work is no more dolor-
GUS than the making of shirts.
If YOU are curious, come with me to
one of the largest factories in the city,
within few blocks of Cooper Union, In
the Bowery, and see for yourself. AS
the door of the shop opens the noise IS
almost deafening. Between the clatter
of the machines on the one hand and the
chatter of the girls on the other, one can
hardly hear himself speak. 1t is 10
o'clock-early for US, perhaps, but not
for the girls. They have been at work
since 8 o'clock. and one-quarter OF their
day has already been spent. In the
center of the room is a double row OF
sewing machines, varying in size and
power, and all fastened to two long and
narrow tables with little round places cut
in the sides into which the operators
snuely fit. At the other end of the room
are several counters forming quad
rangle. Within this square sit do en-
Young women chatting and sewing, while
a tall, middle-aged. motherly woman
ships out of yards upon yards OF black,
white and brown cloth patterns. OF
shrouds. Shrouds with long skirts,
shrouds with short skirts, shrouds with
no skirts at all. Shrouds for the rich
and shrouds for the poor. And such
patterns they are. -.
This elaborate design in white satin,
with soft ruching around the neck and
f,eecy rufflcs around the wristbands, is
modelled after wedding gown as nearly
as is possible, considering the different
use it is put to. 1t will grace the
funeral of some rich patron of a fashion
able undertaken. This plain black gar
ment, with a false shirt bosom and a
collar which ties behind with q cord, is
patterned after an evening suit. 1t is
quiet apd emincntly respectable. 1t is
intended for q man of middle age, and
costs quite as much as O suit worn in life.
Besides these there are robes of brown
and combinations of brown and black,
some faced with white satin, some with
silk AMI others plain even to seTerlty
These form the cheaper grade of goods
and are worn by men or women OF ad,
vanced years. The white robes are all
intended for the young. Some OF these
are marvellous pieces Of work, and II
embroidered by hand would cost small
fortune. This little gown would hardly
reach from your hand to your elbow;
The tiny neckband is ru He'd and tied
together in front with white satin bow.
The little sleeves are covered with en-
broidery and the skirt is elaborately
trimmed with lace. 1t is baby shrouo
and is the smallest that is made.
| The styles in shrouds are continually
changing. Every fashion used by the
living Contribute to the robbing of the
dead. Every large factory has its special
designer, and not even death can still
the competition between them