The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-29
A CHANCE IN A GREAT FIRM.
Bu1lene, Moore, Emery 8 Co., Now
Emery. Bird, Thayer & Co.
Names of Men Who Have Grown Up with
the Business Added TO the Name Of
the Firm-The Personnel Of
the New Firm.

Monday, January 18th, the firm name
OF Bullene. Moore, Emery & Co., which
has been borne by Kansas City's great
est dry goods house for many years,
was changed to Emery, Bird, Thayer &
Co. The death of Mr.. T. B. Bullene,
whose name had been associated with
the firm since 1861, and the retirement
from active business of Mr.. Z. T. Moore,
who retains. however. his interest in
the great firm as silent partner, made
a change of name desirable. This diff
ference in the style of the firm does not
mean any change in the management
of the great mercantile esta blishment
which has been known to the public
for so many years as "Bu1lene's." Mr..
W. E. Emery, Mr. J. T. Bird, Mr.. W. B.
Thayer and Mr.. J. c. Fennell, who arc
now at the head of the esta b1ishment,
have been connected with it for many
years and are familiar figures to all of
its patrons. The institution will con-
tinue to be just what it was under its
former name, and its friends will have
no trouble In recognizing it because
the death of Mr.. Bullene has rendered
expedient a change in the style Of the
firm.
Mr.. J. T. Bird and Mr.. w. B. Thayer,
who have been partners and practically
the local managers of the business for
many years, have their names added to
the firm name.
There will be no change whatever in
the management. Mr.. Bird retains the
position of general manager, which he
has so capably filed for a mum Der of
years. Mr.. Thayer is still the credit
man-hnancial manager, propably be-
ing his proper title. Mr.. J. G. Fenneu
will continue to act as assistant gen.
eral manager and Mr.. w. E. Emery, who
is the eastern representative and buyer,
remains in New York city. Mr.. Emery
is the largest stockholder in the ne
firm. Mr.. Bird has the second largest
holding. With the same active and
experienced men at the helm at which
they have steadily guided the business
craft to continual and increasing pros
perity, the new firm of Emery, Bird,
Thayer & Co., successors to Bullene,
Moore, Emery & Co., will remain one
of the largest enterprises of its kind in
the United States.
Naturally there is pronounced inter
est in those who are to guide the des-
tiny of the great store. The general
public, and more especially the patrons
of Bullene, Moore, Emery & Co., have
often heard the name of Mr.. Bird, but
there are many patrons of the firm
who, while they know that he was the
local manager, still knew little of him
personally. Mr.. Bird was born in New
Jersey and came to Kansas City in
1865. Thus, though young man he is
an old resident. Mr.. Bird had some
commercial experience before he came
west. In 1878 Mr.. Bird became inter
ested in Bullene's, which was then
located in its old building at the corner
of Seventh and Main streets. In 1891
he became full partner and entered
into the active management of the
firms general affairs. This position he
has held ever since and is the one
which he will continue to retain.
Mr.. FenneI1 is a New Yorker. having
been born in the town of Dunkirk, in
Chautauqna county, July %, 1857. Like
Mr.. Bird, he sought the West for rise
in business life and in 1876 entered the
employ of George Peck & Co.. one of
| the largest dry goods houses in Detroit.
i In the spring of 1879 he came to Kan
sas City and was soon after on the pay
! roll of Bullene, Moore, Emery & Co..
| In January, 1890, he became member
| of the firm.
Mr.. Thayer claims the blue grass
state as his place of nativity and feels
! considerable pride in the fact. At the
age of 10 he landed in Kansas City,
then in its youth, and obtained posi-
ton with Bullene, Moore, Emery &
Co., and SO faithful did he perform the
duties assigned to him that he has re-
| manned ever since. His first place was
as cashier. bookkeeper and collector, a
goodlY array of titles. but no more