Evening times-Republican., 1909-07-12
MANAGER OF WESTERN GROCER
COMPANY BRANCH RESIGNS,
EFFECTIVE JULY ia
w. THAp SMITH TO
BE HIS SUCCESSOR
Mr.. Norris Resigns Because Of lndica-
tions Of Failing Health and Desire
to Enter Business for HimseIf-Mr.
and Mrs. Norris to Spend Summer in
tho West.

Fletcher Company branch Of the West
ern Grocer Company, Of this city, has
resigned, and Assistant Manager w.
Yhad Smith has been promoted to sue
ceed him. The resignation and promo
ton become effective Thursday. This
announcement was made this morning
by Second Vice President o. S. Ellis.
Mr.. Norris resignation will come as a
surprise to most Of his business friends
and associates, and will cause general
regret to his many business friends.
Mr.. Norris leaves the business with
which he has been associated for
eighteen years for the double reason
that he is threatened with falling
health and because he wishes to engage
in some other line Of work for himself,
preferably some occupation which will
keep him out of doors.
Mr.. Norris health is far from broken,
but he has developed symptoms which
indicate a tendency toward impairment
of the nervous system, and It is to fore
stall a nervous breakdown that he is
quitting the business.
Will Spend Summer in West.
For time at least Mr.. Norris will
do nothing. In company with Mrs.
Norris he will leave about Aug for the
west, where they will remain during
the summer They will visit in CAL
ifornia and also In Washington. They
plan to spend some time with Mr.. and
Mrs. Will Rice. AZ Cashmere. Mrs.
Rice was formerly Miss Caroline Gill
man, of this city.
While In the west Mr.. Norris will tn
vestigate the fruit growing industry,
with a possibility Of his engaging In 1T,
but farther than going west for vaca.-
ton of several months Mr.. Norris has
no definite plans.
From Bill Clerk to Manager.
Entering the service Of Letts-FIetcher
Company in 1891, Mr.. Norris in ten
years advanced to manager OF a branch
Of the Western Grocer Company, which
was organized after he entered the
wholesale grocery business.
MIR. Norris was an Oskaloosa boy.
He entered the employ of Letts-Fletch-
er Company as bill clerk eighteen years
ago. Promotion followed promotion.
and he became booAkeeper, shipping
clerk and travelling salesman, and af-
ter serving on the road he re-entered
the company's offices.
First Managed Marshall Grocery.
After the Marshalltown Grocery
Company was made part of the
Western Grocer Company, and its
manager c. NJ. Carr, retired as Its
head, Mr. Norris was made manager
in 1901, remaining in charge OF the
branch until it was closed two years
later.
When H. 3. Sloan left Letts-Fletcher
Company in 1908 Mr.. Norris was made
manager to succeed him. He continued
in charge until In 1907, when he again
succeeded Mr.. Sloan as manager Of the
Kansas City branch, where he remain-
ed until the business was disposed of.
He then returned here to again become
sition he had temporarily given up dur
ing his stay in Kansas City.
Smith TO Remain Here.
Because Of the resignation Of Mr..
Norris Mr.. Smith will not go to Clin-
ton, to become manager Of the branch
house which the Western Grocer Com
pany intends to open there soon. The
management of this branch will not
be determined until later.
Like Mr.. Norris, Mr.. Smith, In an
other employee of the company who has
advanced rapidly. He entered the ser
vice Of Letts-Fletcher Company as
shipping clerk in 1895. After serving
in various capacities in the company g
| offices he became assistant manager,
when Mr.. Norris was put in charge of
the business. During the latter's alb
sence while in Kansas City. Mr.. Smith
was manager. His many friends will
be glad to learn that the turn in his
business affairs makes it possible for
| him to remain here,