The New York herald., 1922-12-13
JOHN WANAMAKER
dies AFTER SUDDEN
COLLAPSE AT night
Merchant, 81, Expires in
Philadelphia Home While
Apparently Gaining.
OXYGEN OF NO AVAIL
Smiles as End Comes i'm the
Presence of All But
One Of Family.
BURIAL TO BE PRIVATE
Thinking, Trying, Toiling
and Trusting in God,' His
Biography.
BURIAL TO BE PRIVATE

Special Dispatch 20 THE New YoHK HERALD
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 12.-John Wana-
maker died this morning at o'clock
at his home in this city. 2032 Walnut
street. All his family except his son,
Rodman sWanamaker, who was i'll In
New York. but who arrived later. were
at the bedside OF the great merchant.
The end came Unexpectedly, as Mr..
Wanamaker's physicians had regarded
his condition as improved up to mid
night Monday His heart action.
which had caused them grave concern
for several weeks, had improved
They had one dread, and that was a
recurrence of the coughing which had
undermined his strength and which
almost resulted fatally last Wednes-
day. There having been no recurrence
since, the physicians believed the dan
ger had been eliminated, and the
strengthening of his heart action was
the chief concern.
Without warning, at 4 AS o'clock this
morning. the recurrence OF the coughing
spasms took place. These continued for
an hour and the heart action weak
ened. The family had been summoned
soon after the coughing attack began.
Mrs. Barclay Fl. Warburton and Mrs.
Elizabeth Mcleod, who have been liv-
Ing TN the Wanamaker home since their
father was brought from his country
place near Jenkintown, were frst to
respond. Mr.. Barclay II. Warburton
and Norman Mcleod. husbands of Mr..
Wanamakers daughters, soon followed
Barclay II. warburton. Jr., a grandson,
was called from the Warburton home,
2141 Locust street.
Oxygen OF No Avail.
DR.. Harvey Shoemaker. a long time
friend of Mr.. Wanamaker who has been
living in the Wanamaker home for sew
era' weeks. was awakened when the
coughing spell began. lie called DR..
Alfred Stengel and DR.. William Z.
Quicksall, the associated physicians, and
they resorted to the use of oxygen, but
the heart OF the patient failed to re-
spond.
Mr.. Wanamaker was conscious at in
tervals and smiled at members OF his
family and the physicians. He spoke
feebly to DIR. Shoemaker. showing he
was aware of the efforts to proong his
life.
Half an hour before his death he be-
came conscious and smiled. but said
nothing. Suddenly he closed his eyes
still smiling. and the heart action ceased.
Later the three physicians issued the
following bulletin:
"AIr. Wanan1aker died at o'clock
this morning, quietly and without sur
fering. from heart failure. induced by
short but violent coughing spell
which occurred about 45 o'clock.
He slept well throughout the night. after
having been distinctly brighter ana
stronger than usual the preceding day.
..HSs cough had not been troublesome
for days~and had apparently ceased to
he a factor In his condition. His heart
action had from time to time given
cause FOR anxiety. but had recently I'M
nroved markedly. II, however. proved
unequal 10 the strain of coughing and
SaiIed suddenly. He rapidly became un-
conscious and continued TO sink until
the end"
Taken III In August.
Mr.. wanamaker's illness began IN
August but apparently was conquered.
He had a relapse at his country place In
October and asked to be brought to his
city house. In the early days OF his
illness he was able 10 be about his IL
brary among his priced books. Three
weeks ago he had to go to bed.
The public schools OF Philadelphia
will be closed for one session on the day
Of the funeral OF Mr.. Wanamaker. This
was decided this afternoon by the
Board OF Education. Of which Mr.. Wan
amaker was a member.
Funeral services VIII be at o'clock
Thursday afternoon at the Bethany
Presbyterian Church. Twenty-second
and Bainbridge streets. The minister
will be the Rev. A.. Gordon MacLennan.
The services will be open only to
friends. The body Of Mr. Wanamaker
will lie in the church for, view from 10
O'Clock In the morning until noon. Burial
will be private.
John Wanamaker some years ago was
asked for brief autobiography that
would serve as an inspiration for young
men and women planning a business
career. This was the reply:
Thinking. trying, toiling, and trust