The Washington herald., 1908-07-12
Mrs. Haines Owns One Of
Capitals Big Shops.
HAS BUILT UP LARGE BUSINESS
Remarkable Woman Has Made Great
Establishment Grow from Small
beginning in Anacostia, for Which
She Gave a Bill of sale on Her
Furniture 90 Secure stock OF Goods.

good Whlch trlte saying is amply proved
by the fact that Haines' Fifty Stores IN One,
at Eighth street and Pennsylvania avenue
southeast-the place which, a few days
ago, would have been destroyed by fire but
for the splendid work OF the fire depart
ment-is crowded these days with men,
women. and children. and is as busy as
II the flames had never attacked II.
The Haincs stores carry one OF the most
complete stocks in the city, but the fire,
water and smoke left its imprint though
hardly visible in many cases. and the
management decided TO give the people
of Washington the benefit Of the doubt
and close out the entire stock. consisting
OF shoes hosiery, mems and boys cloth
ing and furnishings. linen. corsets. do
mestics embrolderies. laces. neckwear
gloves. ribbons. wash goods, silks. Innings.
toilet articles, millinery. infants wear.
women's suits. waists skirts. muslin un-
derwear. furniture for every room in the
house. mattings, carpets, oilcloths. lino-
leum. shades. iron and brass beds. mat
tresses Of every description. trunks, suit
cases. housefurnishings of every kind in
fact, everything in the line OF merchan-
diss
Woman Directing FORCE.
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Haines is the sole owner
and manager of this mammoth enterprise.
and the directing spirit Of the energetic
work which is making the best OF the
destruction wrought by the fiery ele-
ment
There is probably not another store or
the same dimensions as the Haines stores
and carrying the same variety Of first
class goods in the United States that Is
owned and managed by woman. 1t is
true that women, as a rule. do not sue
ceed I'm business. but the case Of Mrs.
Ha!nes is a remarkable exception.
Mrs Haines Is not one Of the so-called
new women. She believes that woman's
true place is IN the home. with the fam
fly. But she also believes that when
circumstances compel her to become the
support OF the family. If she has any
natural inclination Tor business, she has
chance Of success. Mrs. Haines prac-
tically demonstrates the sounGness OF
her logic. as she has been emlnently sue
Cessful
The story Of her life reads Ike a ro-
nance. II began with the happy days Of
her youth in Ohio. her native State The
death OF her father burdened her with
responsibilities. although yet a young girl.
She had 20 look after the household af-
fairs and make the purchases for the
business her father left.
Married Civil War Veteran.
A few years after the close OF the civil
war the young woman became the bride
Of NJ y. Haincs. neighbor. who. as a
member OF the Signal Corps. accom-
panied sherman on his famous march 70
the sea. Mr.. Haincs was one Of the most
prominent young business men in that
county, and he often told Mrs. Haines
that II she could be in the store It would
be better Tor the business. recognizing
her business acunen.
For number OF years after the death
Of her husband Mrs Haines conducted
the business left by him IN Ohio. Desir-
ing better facilities for the education Of
her children. she came East and visited
this city, being the g"est Of Hon. J. d.
Taylor. member Of Congress from the
Sixteenth Ohio district. Mrs. Taylor's ad-
vice 90 Mrs Haines at that time was that
this city had the best schools and that
its business opportunities were promis-
Ing. ThereupOn Mrs. Haines decided to
move % Washington. where she first en-
barked in business I'm a little stOreroOm
in Anacostia. d. c., the late Charles
Bradbury ROuss, Of New York furnish
lng the goods. and Mrs. Haines giving her
furniture as security FOR the bill OF
goods.
Keeps MementO of Beginning.
The release of this bill Of sale. neatly
framed. hangs on the wall Of Mrs
Haines' Office to-day, highly priced as
a reminder Of the foundation OF her sue
cess. Her business prospered from the
start, and feeling the necessity for larg-
er quarters, she moved to 1921 Eleventh
street southeast. Mrs. Haines again
went TO New York to see Mr.. Rouss
about new stock for her store. This
astute merchant had found by this time
that she was a careful buyer, and ht
offered her all the goods she needed. al.
most on her own terms.
The new business grew by leaps anC
bounds. Room after room and neigh.
boring houses were added to the enter.
prise 90 satisfy the great demand Mrs
Haines opened a branch in Georgetown
which was put in charge of her oldest
daughter
After five years Mrs. Haines occupied
nine rooms on Eleventh street southeast
and controlled the branch at Georgetown
For three years she looked longIngly al
the corner she now occupies. which shf
finally decided 10 buy in August. 1891
notwithstanding adverse criticism as tC
The final result Of her undertaking. Mrs
Haines decided 20 erect a modern store
building.
Finishes Her New Store.
In September the building was finished
fine three-story brick structure. cover
Ing 5000 square feet Of ground. equipped
with every modern mercantile facility ane
every convenience to make shopping 2
pleasant and profitable pastime. Thi,
building not only proved TO be an adorn.
ment 10 the neighborhood. but added al
least p per cent 20 the value OF sur.
rounding real estate There was a great
task before her after the building wa,
finished. and that was systematizing and
putting I'm order the fifty department,
Of the mammoth store. and al the sam,
time not overlook the fact that. owing Il
limited capital. Il had to be done on IN,
most economic principles.
But with reliable and efficient assist
ance Mrs. Haines also surmounted thi
obstacle. On September 1, 1892 the new
building was opened 90 the public with ;
reception ana music in the evening. Oh
every first day OF September since tner
there has been a celebration commemo
rating the event. These mllestones no
only celebrate an anniversary. but mari
gradual and steady increase Of busI
ness, which this year will pass the $4,000
mark.
Has Attractive Personality.
In appearance Mrs. Haines would no