Evening star., 1922-12-13
RITES TOMORROW
FORWANAMAKER
Condolences From All Over
U. S. DeIuge Family of
Merchant Prince.
BURIAL TO BE PRIVATE
Body to Lie in State Two Hours,
Following Obsequies in Phil
adelphia Church.
BURIAL TO BE PRIVATE

PHILADELPHIA. December 13.-
Funeral services for John Wana-
maker. internationally famous mer-
chant and former Postmaster General.
who died yesterday. will be held to-
morrow afternoon, at o'clock, in
Bethany Presbyterian Church. at 22d
and cambridge streets, a neighbor-
hood once prosperous. but no longer
suggestive of either beauty or wealth.
In that edflce. which long has been
known familiarly both by those who
worshfpped there and others as
John Wanamaker's Church." the
body of thet merchant prince will lie
in state tomorrow morning from 10
o'clock until noon. The burial will be
private. in the family vault in the
picturesquely situated cemetery of st.
James the Less. The Rev. A. Gordon
MacLennan, pastor of Bethany Church.
will conduct services both in the
church and at the vault.
Condolences Flood Family.
Thousands of kilograms and letters
of coincidence have been received by
his family. Flags are at half-mast
here for the first time on the occa-
sion of the death of a private citizen.
An innovation in the realm of ad-
vertising, in which Mr.. Wanamaker
was one of the first big leaders, was
the publication today of eulogies of
the merchants life In connection with
the advertising of his principal de-
partment store competitors. Phila-
delphias schools will be closed for
one session tomorrow, and the Wana-
maker stores. which have been closed
since yesterday morning. will remain
so until after the funeral.
Mr.. Wanamaker. who was in his
eighty-fifth year, had preserved him
tive participation up until few
months ago in affairs-civic. political.
industrial and religlous-having been
regarded as almost without parallel.
Although he had not been in his usual
vigorous health in the last year. Mr..
Wanamaker was identified prominent
ly with the movement to celebrate
The 15Oth anniversary Of the signing
Of the Declaration of Independence
with a world exposition in 1926, he
having been leader in the exposition
in 1876. which marked the Tooth ami
versary of that same historic event.
The death of the great merchant
more than half century saw him
at his place Of business The Wanna
maker stores in Philadelphia and New
York were closed Immediately, and
will remain so until after the funeral.
Mourned by All Glasses.
Men prominent in all lines of en-
deavor Joined in expressions Of regret
at the passing Of Mr.. Wanamaker and
tributes came from the high. the low.
tho rich and the poor. business asso-
ciateS and business rivals,
President Harding. Gov. Sproul,
Cardinal Dougherty, Gov.-elect Gift
ford Pinchot and others prominent In
the official and religious life of the
country paid personal tributes to his
life, as did many others who came
INTO contact with his manifold ac-
ivities.
Philadelphia's public schools will be
closed for one session on the day or
the funeral. in memory of Mr.. Wana-
maker, who, as chairman Of the
finance committee OF the board OF
education. did much in building up
the educational system of the city:
For the first time in the history OF
ings rest at half-mast in honor Of a
man who did not hold high public
office.
Early last month Mr.. Wanamaker
broke down with severe cold, con-
tracted at his magnificent country es-
north OF Philadelphia. He was re.
moved to his town house: at 203.
Walnut street. The first indication OF
the grave nature of his illness was
two weeks ago, when his three at
tending physicians began issuing bull
letins on the condition Of his health:
Suddenly. it seemed as though he had
rallied and there was hope that ne
might recover. For several days pre-
ceding his death his condition was
said to be improving.
Children Are Sent For.
At midnight. Monday. however. it
became apparent that his end was
near. His children were sent TOT.
His two daughters. Mrs. Barclay H.
Warburton and Mrs. Norman Mcleod.
were at his bedside when he died. as
were members of their immediate
families His fast-failing strength
would permit hm to make no ut
terance. but he signified that ne
ing spell, which had gradually been
sapping his strength. weakened his
heart action until 1t stopped. He
died like a stoic," said Mr.. Mcleod.
His only son. Rodman Wanamaker,
of New York. who is i'll himself. ar
rived yesterday. and had to be as
sisted into the house.
Mr.. Wanamaker's physicians issued
the following post-mortem statement
last night:
'Mr. Wanamaker died at o'clock
this morning. quietly and without
suffering. from heart failure induced
by a short. but violent coughing spell.
which occurred about 4:45 am.
He had slept we'll throughout the
night after having been distinctly
brighter and stronger than usual the
preceding day. Ills cough had not
been troublesome for days and had
apparently ceased to be a factor in
his condition. His heart action had
from time to time given cause for
anxiety. but had recently improved
markedly. This. however. proved un-
equal to the strain of coughing and
failed suddenly. He rapidly became
unconscious and continued to sink