New-York tribune., 1902-05-05
POTTER PALMER DEAD.
HAD BEEN AILING FOR SEVERAL

Chicago. May 4.-Potter Palmer for nearly
half century one OF Chicagos most prominent
business men, died tonight at his residence on
Lake Shore Drive The exact cause Of Mr.
Palmers death has not yet been determined
He had been suffering for several weeks with a
nervous disorder, but as he was able to be about
the house. his condition was not thought to be
serious. When he retired last night he was
feeling, If anything. better than for several
days During the night. however. he seemed to
lose all his energy, and this morning un-
aole TO ieaVe MS room. He gradually grew
weaker during the day, and at $40 o'clock this
evening came sudden collapse, and he expired.
The physicians who were attending Mr..
Palmer are at loss to the immediate cause
OF his death Apparently he had no organic
trouble. Mrs. Palmer and their two sons Hon.
ore and Potter. jr.. were with Mr. Palmer when
he died. No arrangements have yet been made
for the funeral. but it is probable that he will
be buried in Chicago. where he accumulated his
fortune.
The name of Potter Palmer is prominently con
nected with the commercial and business develop
ment of Chicago. He was one Of the city's largest
merchants. and did than any other man
toward building the business portion of the city
Potter Palmer born in Rensselaer,. Albany
County, y. Y. in 1926 His father farmer
and member of the Society of Friends. Potter
was the fourth in family Of seven children. He
became clerk in store in Durham. y Y,
when he was eighteen years old. but three years
afterward embarked m business for himself in
l-oChpOft In ~ ne got the western fever ana
went TO Chicago where he OpeTed 4 small dry
goods store in Lake-st His knowledge of the
Eastern markets was of great assistance, and he
soon increased his business. He introduced the
system until then unknown in Chicago of allow
ing customers to exchange goods after having
purchased them, receiving their money back
II they did not wish to retain the goods. The
Potter system" it be known, made
the Potter store famous. Other merchants pro-
tested, but Mr. Potter continued the practice and
it brought customers in increasing numbers. He
built up his retail trade and added a wholesale
department and his business came to be the
largest in the country outside of New-York. When
he retired from active business. in 1861 his an
nual sales amounted to s7.OOOCOO. He had taken
into partnership Marshall Field and Levi T. Letter
The house of Marshall Field & Co. is its success
sor, through series of changes
When Mr.. Palmer retired from business he made
a trip to Europe. after which he returned to Chi
cago and bought a mile of frontage in State-st
announcing that he would have the City Council
il the principal retail business street in Chicago
he built magnifcent stores ana offices, and rented
the street widened In 1871 came the Dig fire which
were rebuilt their fronts were placed on the line
indicated by Mr.. Palmer when he set the width
was one of the heaviest losers by the fire for
while thought Of quitting Chicago. His wife;
100000 and rebuilt paving back his borrowings
in few years; Mr.. Palmer became identified
the present. bark system Hf tbs Sitg He rb
one one oL the original incorporates OF the Chicago
the earliest and most energetic advocates of the
Worlds Columbia Exposition He meyer sought
clined.
daughter of II. H. Honore. whose name has since
become familiar in social circles in many cities.
and Potter, Jr-. and Mrs Potter survive