Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-31
OUR COFFIN PLANT.
A wELI-KNcwN RICHMOND Housu
MANUFAcTUREs BURIAL cAsKETs,
THE FIRM OF HUNTER q SINS.
They DO an Immense Manufacturing
and Jobbing business In undsr-
takers Suppiies-Thcfr stock Both
Handsome and varied-Interestinu
Notes About the House.

How few people there are who know
that We now have here. and have had for
the past four years, big coffin manu-
featuring plant. which annually sells huns
dreds OF caskets and deals extensively FIX
undertakers' supplies. Such 10 actually
tho case, however, and at this very mo-
ment Hunter & Sims, the reliable hgm TO
which We alluGe, have la their splendid
stock from 1000 20 1850 collins IN various
stages OF complexion. The firm does only
a manufacturing and Jobblng business,
and Is widely known among southern un>
dertakers The foods OF tho Richmond
house are sold not only In Virginia. bur
in West Virginia, North and South Caro-
lima. Travelling statesmen 30 into this
territory and display their wares TO tho
best advantage. They sell both oy ssin-
pie and catalogue. not tho. drummers
carry burial baskets With them, however,
for they merely include IN their syhihlts
tho metallic furnishings, handles, iining3,
&C., with which collins are embellished.
And, by the way, II may he said In this
connection that Messrs. Hunter e. SINS
carry a beautiful line OF und.rtaksry
supplies. They sell coffin-handlcs rang
ing from 81 10 500 in price (though the
latter are, OF course, rarely called fof).
ombalming fluids. cTeDes. burial robes.
and the handsomest Of velvet. silk, and
satin Innings. Nothing needed by fune-
raj director Is lacking IN their stock. and
the firm can be relied upon 10 mect oil
demands promptly. While they DO not do
a retail business, they nevertheless Ire
quently receive through undertakers teie-
graphic calls for their goods. OFTEN Their
factory has TO be opened In the dead
hours OF night and their artisans set TO
work on q coffin for some person @hv
has died In a remote country.
AN IMMENsD PLANT.
The plant OF Hunter & Sims Is On am
nense building, with depth OF 2io feet
and a width OF q feet. IL Is three stories
high. and stocked from top 20 bottom
with casksts OF all sizes. The firm makes
at least forty different styles OK eoalnss
from the cheapest 10 the best. And u -
astonishing TO note what large prices are
paid for some OF their goods Though
tho subject Is one which has not gene
rally attracted attention. IL Is q most IN
teresting thing TO note the making OK
collins. The best OF poplar and chostnps
wood Is used for the purpose, the latter
being selected when the casket IL TO %
covered with cloth. Great care has 70 be
taken I'm the finishing work--the yar1ish-
ing polishing &C., and each CONN In
stock IS carefully covered so as 10 Pre-
vent It's being injured by the sun or air.
The undertakers usually add tho nnishs
ings-the handsome siiken or velvet uns
ings and the costly metallic work. ~
general thing, unless Geographic orders
come In, Messrs. Hunter & SIMS only as
tho woodwork, and leave the fpI.srd Oh
rectors to adjust the ornamental psyts.
The latter are, OF course. regulated BY tho
pecuniary means OF tho aiiictea fanAy.
ana are, therefore. put on at the last
moment. As minated above. these En-
.shlngs can DO made to cost enorm3us
sums. and It Is necessary 20 carry IN
stock materials that win suit any sasse
THE FAsHIoSs VARY. 81
Though the Grim Reaper IL an agency
for The levellng OF all ranks. II cannot
be denied that fashions IN the matter Of
collins. undcrtakers' supplies. &C. vary
materially with time and places. In some
States a certain kind OF clepo or conn n
| the vogue. while In others the same thing
would be considered very had taste. All
| these fashions and varying conditions
| Messrs. Hunter q Sims aim to meet
| Whether an order comes for an oic-t'mG
| cone-shaped coffin or = new-styie castot.
they arc ready 10 gu IL.
| The firm. OK course. requires an Inns
mense capital. but aims 70 keep cvery>
! thing in their line. Their silks and sa>lnG
| alone are worth hunfreds-yeA thou
sands-of dollars. ana raags In prices
| from 3l-2 cents 10 $i5o q yard.
Every citizen Of Richmond shcuid
insure o portion OF his property (ren|
-. -. 49,. a<.9 Xr&1mn1