The evening world., 1903-02-27
The Aged Mercantile Man
Passes Away at Aiken, S. c.,
After an Illness Extending
Over Several Months.
FLAGS ARE AT HALF-MAST.
Friends OF the Famous Dry Goods
Merchant Pay a Mark Of Respect
to Hlm-Speoial Train Bringing
Body Home.

The flags on all the big department
stores in New York were at half mast
to-day as a testimonial to the memory
sof James McCreery. head OF one of the
oldest dry goods firms In this country.
Mr.. McCreery died last night In Aiken,
8. c. He was seventy-seven years old.
William McCreery. one Of the sons who
10 In the firm. did not receive word
until to-day, and he then notified as
many OF his father's friends as possible.
Every firm hat had acquaintance with
the grand old man sent its represen-
tatives to express coincidence, for James
McCreery was probably the most gcner-
ally beloved man in his line of business.
Some OF the big firms offered to close
shop tomorrow hen the body will ar
rive on a special train. All of them
lowered the Stars and Stripes that fiut er
from hi big buildings on Broadway,
Sixth avenue and T~wenty-third street.
store to Close Tomorrow.
The McCreery place notified its en-
ployees hat the store would shut down
tomorrow as soon as the train arrives,
and will remain closed until after the
funeral, which takes place at Inwood
N. Y. on Monday afternoon.
News of Mr.. McCreery's death did not
come entirely as a surprise. for he had
not been we'll all this winter. He tried
various health resorts in the South, and
finally decided that Aiken was best for
him.
Mrs. McCreery was with her husband
at the time of his death. and is accom-
panying the funeral train north. Be-
sides the widow there are four children
that survive.
Mr.. MCreery was one of the Oldest
members of the Union League Club and
prominent in the affairs of the Aldine
Club. He came from Ireland originally,
started as a boy in Baltimore and came
to New York early in life. He had been
in one firm, that which he founded, and
which was known formerly as Lake a.
McCreery. nearly fifty years, He was
looked upon by his fellow-rivals as dean
Of the d~ry-goods business.
A Keen Business Man..
Mr.. McCreery was one of the first to
realize Hfow fast New York was moving
uptown, and in 1895 he completed the
building in West Twenty-third street.,
transferring the establishment there
from the old place at Broadway and
Eleventh street.
In the new quarters he was able to
arrange a stock of goods for retail that
would combine all the advantages OF
Paris and New York. A speciality was
made of silks. velvets and dress zap
RIGS for the patronage or ~1ashlonaple
folk who had thought the right thihs
could only be obtained abroad.
Mr.. McCreery himself was a keen
business man and worked hard. He Ok
pected every one in his employ to do
The same, but was always notably fair
and, generous.
His idea of usefulness in life was thus
expressed in a little talk which ne once
gave to his employees on their annual
outing: 49,,
Always keep in good form. like
these young men in LHe nN con-
tests, 50 that when the occasion co.~ss
you can do a little spriniing. Almost
any successful man can look PACK %
some special effort that first brought
him into notice: that raised his foot
TO the frs. run of the ladder.
Success. in work. in business. Is the
goal you and | are striving FOR. OPP
%portun4ty Is the magic open sesame that
enables US 10 enter the race. shut your
eyes and you will be nothing more tAan
q spectator, envying those. who are
more alert. Seek 1t and hold fast TO 1t
when 1t is ~found-the prize Is yours