The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-12

OF his ONCE Tor o. day at the sea-
shore. He was always, an early
riser aud was usually In his mer-
camille establishment before the
doors were opened. Mr.. Wanna
maker ii survived by his sen
Rodtnan. q resident Of New York
City. aud two daughters, Mary Il. !,
wife d Barclay H. Warburton,
and Elizabeth wife OF Norman
Macleod, both Of Philadelphia.
After Mr.. Wanamaker was
brought tohis town house he did
not improve, and about two weeks
ago his condition became such al
to cause anxiety. Aweek ago, how
ever, M Wanamaker showed sucn
marked Improvement that his
physicians ceased issuing bulletins.
At O'Clock this morning, NJ.
Wanamaker was seized with a1vio-
lent coughing spell, his physician ]
stated, which resulted in extreme
heart weakness. Mai. Barcray II.
Warburton, MI. Wanamaker's sou.
in-law, notified the Associated
PRESS that Mr.. Wanamaker died
peacefully ut 5 a. m. 81
M. wanamaker became uncon.
sclous at midnight. When Mr.. Wan.
amaker's cpndidon became grave
during the night all members OF
the family were summoned, and ali
were present with the exception ..
Rodman Wanamaker, who arrived
too late.
- MI. Wsnatnakar's life was In.
sufed for more than $3,000,000, he
having been zone OF the leaders
among the heavily insured men in
the country.
Department Store Pioneer
John Wanamaker led In the
creation of the department store
as an Institution in American life
At the outbreak Of the Civil War
In 1851 when he began business
for himseif in a humble way in
Phiiadelp llta, retail merchandise
ing In this country was In a 'dis-
ORGANIZED state, and; in the oplEl-
On OF the farsighted young, NOR.
chant, II was suffering rapid de-
cline through practices that wcra
then general. Aside from mis- am
bition to make money, 10y para
mount purpose" said Mr.. WaGa.
maker, was to help save tie
mercantile profession from low.
ering rs flag before other profess
slons and occupations" There
were tnfthose days no fixed selling
price for goods. Business then de-
manded d thirteen hour day from
I'LL ITS employees, Customers spent
hours price-hagglIng vita sales
men Mr. Wanamaker was I'M.
pressed with this waste OF time
and tc eliminate 1t he became a
pioneer IN fixing a selling price
for Goods. Il was one OF the be.
ginnings Of many mercantile re-
forms which today are SO general
ly followed that the present gen
eration can scarcely find any
where 9 trace Of the old practices
Mr. Wanamaker was "a years
old Wien he entered upon, his
career In partnership with his
brother$inslaw, Nathan Brown, on
j Joint capital Of $500, in a
clothing business at Philadelphia.
He had been born in that city,
July ~, 1888 s.. His father and his
iathefsst father had been brick
makers and John Wanamaker'S
First work was turning bricks"
He was the oldest Of, seven child
rem and early In his boyhood he
Was Obliged to give up schooling
and earn his own way. His first
wages We're SLIPS a week as an
erfahd hoy In o p Philadelphia bouK
store, and then as a young MAJ he
WIS employ d for time at Tower
Hal famous old Philadelphia
clothing house, where his person.
atty and business ability were de-
veioped for his venture In busl.
ness for himself, The Brown e
Wanamaker store began business
with first days sales account Of
S24 and ended Its first year with
a record Of $4,000 business. Mr..
Wanantaker and his brother in.
AdN lN'Hf6t eAHEtub hlu61E 4lESG, lew
months of business unable to at
ford q horse fand wagon for de-
liyefy. and Mr.. Wanamaker him.
self pushed IL two-wheel cart to
tioliyer his goods. His partners
health failing, most of the details
of the business developed upon
Mr.. Wanamaker.
Aside from establishing his one
price policy and making a shorter
business day, Mr.. Wanamaker es.
tabllshed IN the new store two
systems One Of sales and the oths.
OF organization. He learned It was
cheaper 81 manufacture .gsome
classes OF goods than to buy from
manufactuterB and he became ons
OF the first retailers TO do this. He
found It ditticult to get employees
who were properly Instructed id
their duties md he organized train:
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