The Michael Berry Show is sponsored by Montgomery Ward

Aaron Montgomery Ward started his business in Chicago in 1872. By 1883 the company's

catalog had grown to 240 pages and 10,000 items. In 1900, Ward's had

total sales of 8.7 million, or just over 319 million dollars in sales today.

By 1904, Wards had expanded such that it mailed 3 million catalogs weighing 4 pounds each.

In 1926, the company broke with its mail order-only tradition when it opened its first retail

outlet store in Plymouth, Indiana.

It continued to operate its catalog business while pursuing an aggressive campaign to build retail outlets in the late 1920s.

By 1929, it had grown its number of outlets to 531 locations.

Wards was very successful in its retail business.

Green Awning stores doubted hundreds of small towns across the country.

Larger stores were built in major cities.

By the end of the 1930s, Montgomery Ward had become the country's largest retailer.

In April 1944, four months into the nationwide strike by the company's 12,000 workers,

US Army troops seized the company's Chicago offices.

The action was ordered due to Montgomery Wirt's refusal to settle the strike as requested by the Roosevelt administration,

concerned about the adverse effect on the delivery of goods in wartime.

The company had refused to comply with the War Labor Board order to recognize the unions

and institute the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.

Eight months later, with Montgomery Ward continuing to refuse to recognize the unions,

President Roosevelt issued an executive order,

seizing all of Montgomery Ward's property nationwide,

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