The Washington herald., 1907-06-22
". R. SPEARE IS DEAD
Undertaken Expires After
Several Years Illness.
AIDED at GARFIELD FUNERAL
Claim for Services Is still Held
Against the GOvernment-Was n
Thirty-seeond Degree Mason and
Life Member of knights of PythiRs.
Funeral viii Be Held Monday.

W. r. Speare, president OF the Under
takers Association, and one Of the most
prominent undertakers of Washington,
died yesterday afternoon, at his home, $40
F street northwest.
Mr. Speare had been in falling health
for several years. and was confined to
his apartments eleven weeks before his
death. For the last eight years he had
made annual trips 10 Carlsbad, usually
returning from the baths much improved
In health. Last year, however, he de-
cided not to make the trip, and sought
recreation and improvement in health at
various seaside resorts in this country.
Mr.. Speare was a native Of Pittsburg,
Pa, and came 70 Washington in 1864 TO
accept a position In the quartermaster' s
department Of the War Department, He
| resigned in 1867 and entered the service
Of Harvey & Marr, undertakers, at 93i +
street northwest, with whom he remained
until the dissolution Of the firm, then en-
gagged in business for himself at $40 F
street In point of residence be was the
oldest property owner and resident Oh
that square
As an undertaken, Mr.. Speare's services
were sought by many families of social
and official prominence in Washington.
He was called upon TO assume charge of
the funeral arrangements Of President
Garfield and Of Mrs. Harrison. wife Of
President Harrison. and Mrs. Grant,
widow Of Gen. Grant.
Garfield BIZ Unpaid.
II is stated that his bill, amounting to
less than 5000. for services at the funeral
Of President Garfield was never paid by
| the government. due TO the fact that in
submitting his account Mr.. Speare de-
clined TO agree TO present a disclaimer
/ agreeing to accept the amount proffered
/ by a committee appointed by the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury 10 audit the funeral
expenses. This committee. provided for in
the act Of Congress making the necessary
appropriation, requested that in the sub
mission Of all bills the creditor sign an
| agreement 10 accept the sum decided upon
by the committee.
This Mr.. Speare refused 20 do, and the
bill. it is said. was never settled, Mr..
Speare declining 10 institute legal pro-
ceedings TO recover the amount The ac-
count, il IS stated. is now outlawed, and
the only way IN which recovery can be
made is by special act Of Congress.
Services for Nations Leaders.
Mr.. Speare was called upon at the time
Of the death Of Gen. Ben Butler. Speaker
Thomas Reed, Walter Q. Gresham, Secre-
tary Of State under President Cleveland;
Senator Mark Hanna, Postmaster Gen
eral Payne, Senator John Morgan. Of
Alabama, Admiral Sampson, Mrs. John
NJ. Wilson, wife Of Gen. John NJ. Wilson,
L. S. A: Rev. Dr. Teunis s. Hamlin, Mrs.
Jacob H. Gallinger, wife Of Senator Gal
linger, of New Hampshire; SenOr Romero,
at one time Minister from Mexico, and
many others Of prominence.
Many kilograms and messages Of condo
lence were received last night by his
brother, Frank \. Speare. In a quiet
way Mr.. Speare did much charitable
work, and It is said by his friends that
those in distress never applied 10 him
in vain.
Mr.. Speare was prominent in Masonic
W0fk. ana Nd~ q IitiitbrL VI -AIdtld LtlSsf
No Is: Eureaka Chapter No. I; a life
member of Columbia COmmandery.
Knights Of Pythias and a thirty-second
degree Scottish Rite Mason. He leaves
a wife, who was Miss Virginia Long, of
Washington, and a brother Frank A.
Speare.
Funeral Next Monday.
Funeral services will be held from his
home. $40 + street, at p. m, Monday
Rev Wallace Ratcline, pastor Of the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
in which Mr.. Speare had a pew, will Of
fciate Interment will be made In Oak
Hill Cemetery.
Members Of the Undertazers' Associa-
ton. not yet selected, will be the active
.pallbearers. The honorary paIlbearers
are Francis Hufty, L. II. Thorn. Mr..
Tucker. of Baltimore; ]. L. Borland. l.. l..
White, A. f. Fox, and Charles Shafer