Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

Walter P. Innes

Walter Innes was born in Lawrence, Kansas in 1873, the son and nephew of merchants. He went to New York in 1894 already planning his career as a merchant. There he worked as a store clerk with the famed Arnold Constable Company. In 1897, he learned of the death of the owner of the McNamara store in Wichita and with his uncle, George Innes, bought the store.

His uncle only took a financial position in the store so at age twenty-four, Walter ran the store as his own. However, in appreciation for his uncle’s support, the store was called, “The Geo Innes Co.” With 25 employees, Mr. Innes began a general dry goods business that was to become one of the Midwest’s largest retailing firms.

In 1907 the young merchant gave Wichita city business circles cause to gasp. He designed a big new store and built it at the corner of Broadway and Douglas. This was two blocks away from the main street of business and on an unpaved road. Soon other businesses followed and the intersection became Wichita’s center of retailing. Over the years, Innes acquired other Wichita properties and also expanded his business by adding a mail order department in 1927. He also took an active interest in the growth of the city helping to sponsor or finance other businesses. He was involved in the construction of the Allis Hotel, the Petroleum Building and the Sandra Theater.

Mr. Innes had the reputation of personally knowing every employee in his business and had a high regard for employer-employee relations. The retail establishment grew to 1000 employees and Innes provided an employee cafeteria and a penthouse sun deck where they could go to rest during their breaks. He also encouraged and assisted with The Innes Employees Club.

He also encouraged good relations with customers and took a personal interest in their needs and concerns. The firm was a Midwestern leader in providing stylish clothing of good quality and at reasonable prices.

In 1952, the Innes store was sold to Younker Brothers and four years later, to R. H. Macy and Company. In a half century, Mr. Innes built a retail store that was one of the largest for a city the size of Wichita in the nation. And while he built it, he helped build the city and gained a wide circle of appreciative friends. Mr. Innes died in 1958 at 84 years of age.

Sources:
“Recalls 60 Years As Merchant, Founder of Innes Store Honored by Businessmen,” Wichita Morning Eagle, 16 October 1956.
“Wichita Store Founder, Walter Innes Dies at 84,” Wichita Morning Eagle, 31 March 1958.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.