Evening journal., 1904-07-12
JOHN WANAMAKER
At THE SPRINGS
With Bethany Brotherhood
in Celebration OF His
Sixty-sixth Birthday
HAPPY DAY IN PARKS HISTORY

Ine entire community was nOnOfeQ
yesterday by the visit of one of the
most distinguished American citizens
when John Wanamaker. Of Phnadel-
phia, visited Brandywlne Springs Park
to assist in the celebration Of his sixty
sixth birthday. which was under the
auspices of the Bethany Brotherhood.
of which Mr.. Wanamaker is a member.
The event was a particularly happy
democratic affair and the success of the
day was due to the care and efforts
Of George Kugler who is secretary for
Mr.. Wanamaker in charge Of the re-
! ligious part of Mr. Wanamaker's many
interests.
! A special excursion train brought
nearly a thousand people. Mr.. Wanna
maker arriving on a special train in the
afternoon, he having to remain in Phil
adelphia to assist in the ceremonies at
tending the placing of the first iron
beam in the new store. General Mana
ger Crook had arranged a very pleas
ant surprise for Mr.. Wanamaker and
on the arrival of the train the select
iparty were greeted by the thousand
friends from Philadelphia, augmented
by the great crowd from Wilmington
the greeting animated by the stirring
strains from Gattis band. Headed bs
the band and surrounded by the peopl,
he loved, the little children clinging tC
him, the procession of happy people
marched to the band stand where Mr.
Wanamaker was to address tbs
J Brotherhood. Many Wilmingtonianl
. have expressed regrets that the even
was not advertised as there is n,
doubt but what there would have beer
10000 Wilmingtonians present.
: General Manager Crook had been ex
pecting Mr.. Wanamaker, but as it de
pended on his arrival from Europe
and he was not due until Saturday
night, it did not seem fair to announce
it for fear of disappointment. The frs
positive assurance Mr.. Crook had wai
the telephone message Sunday.
J Mr.. Wanamaker has been described
! i'm all the phases of a truly great manl
life, but to those who had the oppor
3 tunity of mingling with him and hi
b people was given the chance to see hin
e at his best. Assembled on the platform
were the members of the BROTHERHOOD
b. Glee Club, who under the Leadership
81 of their director stirred the great au
! dience with their songs of praise. Tw
. of the clergymen of Bethany assiste
/ in the services. which before the ad
dress of Mr.. Wanamaker were enliv
ened by some personalities of Mr. Wan
o amaker, who recognizing some lttl
. favorite child, possibly in the rear seat
of the auditorium. would wave hi
g hand in greeting and the little on
blushingly proud of the honor paid
4 replied with a childish salute.
A prominent man in the audlenC
was heard to remark: Il had expecte
!, to see something of dress su
N crowd" but more thoroughly Amer
can representation could not have bee
4 brought together. They were the pc,
pie of the people The pastor of II
church in introducing Mr.. Wanamake
II stood in shirt sleeves without colla
; and almost all of the members were
n like comfortable attire.
n When Mr.. Wanamaker arose to a,
: dress the people he was greeted wit
the strains of Home Sweet HON,
10 from the band and the handkerchi
salute, which lasted until with a wa'
n of the hand a happy smile lighting L
"a his countenance, he hushed them al
with the first words again arous,
- them to cheers. Friends. brother
~ you are from one Of the best cities
= the world. You are a most loving pc
- pie; you have a most beautiful ds
for your outing and you have select,
~ the most beautiful park 1 have ev
~, visited for your days pleasure. In
III few minutes I will send you as childr,
81 to commune with nature and inciden
ally ] would suggest that you rea,
10 down in your pockets and open yo
OIL money boxes"
After a few words describing his vi.
abroad and his pleasure i'm his retu
home Mr.. Wanamaker i'm his forcit
eloquent style that ranks him amor
the great orators, addressed the peor
- ON brotherhood" At the conclusi
hi Professor Gatti led his band in "Ame
IN ica," the entire audience joining
" singing. at the close of which Mr.. Wa
amaker with hand upraised said: "T
e. last time / heard that dear old tn
a. was on the occasion of my visit
Dy Buckingham Palace. when received
King Edward, when a band of thlrt
ne five pieces played America 1t w
nu grand. friends. but these thirty-h
70 men could not play it like this band
ru twenty-hve pieces" And the crol
Nh cheered while Gatti took sides with [
.oi little girl that had been greeted Wi
% salute and bowed his acknowleda
'ih ments amid his bushes.
IT, General Manager Crook. accompani
ere by $. Garland. president OF the Peep
Railway Company, received Mr.. Wan
maker and escorted him TO the der
81. s-,,,.f.f .,,. n raftsrnaT 20 rnt,