Daily Republican., 1881-05-31
Letter from John wanamaker.

hctteE IrOH john "AnaInAke Ell
From the Doylestown Democrat. May "A, 1888
We print, below, u letter from job
Wanamaker, the great merchant O
Philadelphia. 1t will be read with in
terest, because it gives some of his view
OF business and his methods of runnin,
things. From it we learn that th,
minutest details of his great busines,
receive his individual attention, which,
after all is one Of the secrets of his sue,
cess. John Wanamaker is very Ma.
poleon in mercantile life. Such men are
never duplicated in the same gener.
alton
PHILADELPHIA, May 10, 1881.
Dear General Davis My hest thanks
for your thoughtful and kind letter to
welcome me home.
| am glad to be" in the field of battle"
and in the saddle again.
In II business life OF over twenty wears
] have never been absent before on ac-
count Of Illness, and this fact excited n
good deal of apprehension and exugger-
alton.
1t was amusing to hear Of the dread
ful things was though to b" under.
going, while the truth was had simp-
ly an attack Of old.faShioned rhruna-
tism in my left hand, and in all other
respects was as well as ever.
10 escape the rough weather Of the
spring, which was not helpful to rheu.
matism, | Travelled OIL to Florida, step
ping ont of the snow blocked streets OF
Philadelphia into the orange groves and
summer sunshine Of the st. Jonn'S river
region, where | stayed umtiltwu weeks
ago, returning home brOnHed like an
Indian and strong as Il giant
1t has taken me Il little time to get
the reinS in my hands, and get q good
grip OF the Grand Depot, Oak Hall and
Chestnut Street stores, or should have
replied TO your letter SCORER.
lou are more than kind in telling me
10 take things easy and have better care
IF myself. BE assured Shall do the
very best eau, but the fact is, cannot
'hmgc my nature or habits now NOu
might rs wei ask me 10 turn farmer or
'dtOr, or take to riding in the park and
mi PLAYING gentleman all day,
Really and truly, | would Son,ler
csS can do As full Il days work as
my one about me.
After Il score Of years spent rs a mrr- !
bant and manufacturer, what else can
do but do still better " hat have been
t all my life?
As has hcen my custom all these
ears, 50 now strive To put my eyes
nd fingers on each department ot.rach
t our stores. SO long Ms am in bust
esS, | want my customers 10 know
hat the whole Of my business, even to
IS smallest details, has my personal
ttcntiOn.
| must look after the Oak Hall cloth
~ business because it is "my first
we, and the ChrStr ut street store has
II the attention needed from me (ny
-uther is always thcrr) to keep il at the
cad Of the fine clothing business in
his country.
The Grand Depot at 18th Street, calls
" and gets all the ability and enthusi-
,m have, because it marks a new era
retail business in Philadelphia, ami
educating a class of people 10 the
ghcr and trHrr ideas of mercantile
Ic
Each day | 20 from cellar to garrrt of
me Of the concerns, and add my ,uldg-
eut and push to ali that Is going on.
lough | have splendid helpers in my
Others and Mr.. Hillnan, as well as
her able men, yet "the old man" is
II content unless he knows thoroughly
e working Of every department and
$ hand on every wheel. The steady
crease of our business since Ike first
y it started, has kept right on in my
sence, thus proving my faith in my
Ople, and testing the soundnrSs OF
e principles which govern orr opera
ms.
W ncn you are In the city, I've snrG to
axe your way to my office, rs | never
unit it loss of time to switch off and
at IL moment with old Friends like
urSc". Yours very truly,
JNO. WANAMAKEH