The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-30
MARGARET HOWARD,
MODESTO, is DEAD
Society for Two Generations
Gowned in Creations of This
Magic Seamstress.
WEALTH TO HER AIDS
Half Of Million Dollar Estate
Will Found Home for Aged
NeedlewOmen.

fOrty years ago tne pest uItsbeu
women In New York were wont TO boast
that Margaret Howard had modelled
their gowns. Others not 80 fortunate as
to have their latest and most stunning
bib and tucker come direct from the
hands OF Margaret Howard found solace
In the knowledge that the city's smart
est seamstress approved of the frock or
cloak or basque or whatever It was.
In those days folk like Margaret How
ard were needlewomen and Just dress
makers or eeamstresses. Modistes came
to-day is a mightier influence in New
York society than was this very able
seamstress
For a number of years she was a
buyer for one of the most exclusive
gown establishments and her fame
spread through lower Fifth avenue and
over Washington Square. Debutantes
made their bows in creations that had
kept Margaret Towards needle flashing
for weeks. The weddings that fetched
the city's proudest TO church and re-
ceived notice on the first pages of news
papers were advertisements of her skill.
Young matrons maintained their places
among the best dressed women Of their
day by putting themselves in Nine
Towards care and paying large prices
Having thus established her reputa-
tion. Margaret Howard set up her own
establishment in a stately brown stone
house at Thirty-fourth street and Madi-
son avenue-on the southwest corner
She prospered SO rapidly that she took
over the entire house. and the business
became known as White. Howard & Co.
Never Hurried Work.
She employed many seamstresses AL
thouhg she kept pace with the ever
changing fashions, she never surrendered
to new and quick methods of production.
A gown represented so much hard, pains
taking work and many hours of hand
needlework. Virtually everything she
made was the product of the old fash
toned needle and linen thread. FOLDS
knew that 1t would take a certain length
Of time to obtain a dress from Madame
Howard, and that rather than fu a
hurry order" Madame would refuse thr
commission altogether.
Her trade included virtually all tho
social register women and she received
frequent commissions to go abroad to
get suggestions and ideas for a trous-
seau or even a single gown If the woman
ordering was being especially pressed by
a rival.
Yesterday woman who knew Madame
Howard said that to hold a position In
the firm OF White. Howard & Co. a
seamstress had to be as capable of
doing Madame's work almost as Madame
herself.
Margaret Howard died weNnasa.y
night In her beautiful suite of rooms il'
the San Reno Hotel, Central Park West
and Seventy-fourth street. Her Will,
disposing of an estate estimated a.
nearly 100000, has not yet been pro-
bated. But yesterday her friends adj
mitted that the estate is to be divided
among those able seamstresses who
helped Nine. Howard to become the
great factor In styles that she was Halt
Of the estate, It was said, goes to foun
home for aged and INDECENT seam
Observation-Disclosures who found their
art supplanted by the electrically oper-
ated sewing machine, their nice old par
lors succeeded by the humming loft
buildings and great factory floors
Half to Dearest Friends.
The other half OF the estate is di-
Vlded among the women who were Nine.
Towards dearest friends during the
years when her name was synonymous
with all that was the best and the latest
in gowns and frocks.
The famous firm OF White, Howard &
Co ceased competing with the great
Fifth avenue fashion shops when the
Altman store decided to spread over the
whole block between Fifth avenue and
Madison avenue from Th1rty-fourth TO
Thirty-ffth street. Madame then sold
her brownstone house and moved TO the
San Reno. She has lived there quite
alone except for her nurses and the oc-
cnsional visits OF her friends.
The funeral will be held to-day.
Solemn requiem mass viii be offered in
the Church of the Blessed Sacrament,
in West Seventy-nrst street. and Mad
anne will be laid at rest in Woodlawn.
Nine. Howard had no living relatives.
She had been an invalid for several
years and almost constantly was at
tended by trained nurses and a doctor.
She was al out rs years old.
Yesterday n small group OF women sat