The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-09-22
A SHROUD FACTORY.

New York, says correspondent, is
the recognized headquarters for the
clothing of the dead as well as of the
living. There is nothing about a shroud
factory to indicate the character OF its
product. Even the rows of cofins and
entlcing varieties of caskets IN the
wareroom below seem to belong to
another business altogether. The show
cases 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
tenant, and bear no possible relation to
the use the rooms are now being put to.
1t is very difficult to imagine that these
light hearted girls who chat so merrily
over their machines are turning out
burial robes by the dozen, but such is
the case, and to them the work is no
more dolcrous 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 clat-
ter 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 s O clock, and one-quar-
ter OF their day has already been spent.
In the center of the room is 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 snugly fit. At the other end
OF the room are several counters FORM
ing quadrangle. Within this square
sit a dozen young women chatting and
sewing, while a tall, midde-aged,
motherly woman strips out yards upon
yards of black, white and brown, pat
terms 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
heecy ruf1les 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 fun
eral of some rich patron of a fashion,
able undertaken. This plain black gar
ment, with false shirt bosom and
collar which ties behind with a cord, is
patterned after an evening suit. 1t is
quiet and eminently respectable. 1t is
intended tor a man OF middle age, and
costs quite as much as 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 and others plain even to
severity. These form the cheaper
grade of goods and are worn by men
or women of advanced years. The white
robes are all intended for the young.
Some of these are marvellous pieces of
work, and if embroidered by hand
would cost a small fortune. This little
gown would hardly reach from your
hand to your elbow. The tiny neck
band is ruffled and tied together in
front with white satin bow. The little
sleeves are covered with embroidery
and the skirt is elaborately trimmed
with lace. 1t is baby shroud aud is
the smallest that is made.
The styles in shrouds are continually
changing. Every fashion used by the
living contribute to the robeing of the
dead. Every large factory has its spe-
cial designer, and not even death can
still the competition between them.