The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-12-31
MIR. i. M. SPEERS.
Death Of a Brave Confederate Soldier
and a Citizen Who Held the Re-
spect of All Who Knew Him.


Mr.. Leland M. Speers died at his
home III Nance street at - o'clock
last Monday night, December %. He
was stricken with paralysis two weeks
ago last Saturday, and was confined
to his bed from that time until his
death.
Mr.. Speers had lived long and
honorable life, and tae end came as
he must have wanted it to come. Sur
rounded by his loved ones, he quiet
ly fell on sleep eternal.
Mr.. Speers was in his accustomed
good health until Saturday, Dccem-
ber II. On that day, at about noon,
ne was walking to the depot, when
several young men standing on the
platform noticed something peculia:
about his condition. They asked
Mr.. Speers if he felt WELL and he re-
Piled that his head was swimming,
AID that he Thought he must be suf-
ferlng from vertigo. a carriage was
called and hc was taken to his home,
when ii developed that he had suf-
fercd a stroke Of paralysis. His left
side was para yzcd, and his left leo
was affected. His tongue was also
affected to some extent. He did not
lose consciousness until about forty
eight hours before his death.
When he was taken home on the
14th, it was known that he was criti-
cally ILL., and until the time Of MS
death no hope was entertained by his
physicians for his final recovery. His
son, Mr.. l.. Coppock 'Speers, who is
engaged i'll JOURNALISTIC work in New
York, was telegraphed for and came
to Newberry on Wednesday morning,
December II. From that time until
his death all the members of his I'M
mediate family were at his bedside.
Mr.. Speers was a son of Mr.. and
Mrs. John Alexander Speers. He was
born near Jalapa, in this county. in
October, lS41. When Mr.. Specrs
was a small lad his father was killed
in the Mexican war. in the battle Of
Cherubusco, fighting galantly rs a
member of The famous Palmetto ree'i-
mcnt. His mother also died when Mr.
Speers was quite young.
After the death Of his father and
mother. Mr.. SpccrS came 10 Ncwberrv
and lived with Col. John Il. Lcavcil
rs member Of the family. Under
Col. Leavell he learned the marble
trade, and worked in that trade for
Col. Jieavell until South Carolina Sc
ceded and the War Between the Sta
tcs was on.
Mr.. Speers enlisted il the Confcd-
crate army as member Of Company
B. Third South Carolina regiment, a
company that was first commanded
by Capt. Samuel n. Davidson, and
later by Capt. Thomas w. Gary, and
later still by Capt. Thompson Connor
Mr.. Spccrs was made first sergeant
Of his company. Throughout the war
Mr.. SpecrS was conspicuous for his
bravery. He vas wounded no less
than eight fines in the five battles of
Savage Station, fredericksburg,
. Chickamauga, the Wilderness. and
/ Strasburg. In ole battle lie was
s%Swounled three times.
VT When the war was over and the
South confronted the darkest period
in.her history Mr.. Speers displayed
The same courage and the same loyal
ty to home and state which had char
acterized him Oh the field of bat.le
Unlaunted, he went to work to assist
in rebuilding the lost fortunes of the
south.
After the war he again worked for
Col. John r. Leavell in the marble
business, and was finally made par
i. tner il the firm. In addition to their
business in Newberry, Mr.. Leavell
and Mr. Speers bought marble
business in Chester, and also in
WNlnsboro, and Mr.. ,Spcers went to
Win&sboro to take care Of the bust
ness !, there. Ho stayed in
Winnsb sboro a few years, after which
the business there was sold om aid
Mr.. Speers returned TO Newberry. He
lived on the farm near Jalapa for a
few years, but returned to Ncwbcrry
and conducted business Of his own
for y short time Afterwards he
again went into business with Col
Jno. r. Leavell and his son, Mr. r.
Y. Leavell. Later Mr.. Speers and
Mr.. r. Y. Leavcll were in the marble