Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-22
FUNERAL OF WILLISR. SPEARE
SERVICES AT FAMILY RESIDENCE
MONDAY AFTERNOON.
Death Occurred at 3:4O O'Clock Yes
terday-Prominent Resident
of the District.

Services over the remains of the late
Willis Reed Speare will be held at the
family residence, $40 F street, at 2 o'clock
Monday afternoon. Rev. Wallace Rat
cliffe pastor of the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church, will be the officiating
clergyman. The interment will be in Oak
Hill cemetery. The active pallbearers will
be selected from the membership of the
undertakers Association, while the hon.
orary pallbearers will be Francis Hufty
L. II. Thorn, Mr.. Tucker of Baltimore. J.
f. Borland. E. l.. White, A. F. Fox and
Charles Shafer. The funeral arrangements
are In charge of George P. Zurhorst, a life
long friend of Mr. Speare
The death of Mr.. Speare occurred about
$40 O'Clock yesterday afternoon He had
been in failing 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 to Carls-
bad, usually returning from the baths much
improved in health Last year. however he
decided not to make the trip, and sought
recreation and improvement in health at
various seaside resorts in this country.
Native of Pittsburg.
Mr.. Speare was fifty-six years of age and
was native of Pittsburg. Pa. He came
to Washington in 1854. and accepted posi-
ton in the quartermaster's department of
the War Department. He resigned in 1867
and entered the service of Harvey & MARI,
undertakers, at 934 F street northwest, with
whom he remained until the dissolution of
the firm. then engaged in business for him
self at $40 + street. In point of residence
he is said to have been the Oldest property
owner and resident on that square.
He was president of the UndertakerS' AS
ISOLATION and was prominent in Masonic
work. and was a member of Acacia Lodge.
No. is; Eureka Chapter, No. f. life men,
Der of Columbia Commandery, knights
Templar, and thirtysecond degree Scot
tish Rite Mason. He was also an honored
member of Washington Lodge, No. 10, of
Elks.
His wife, formerly Miss Virginia Long of
this city, and brother. Mr.. Frank A.
Speare survive him.
Mr.. Speare's services as undertaken were
sought by many prominent families. He
was called upon to assume charge of the
funeral arrangements of President Car
field and of Mrs. Harrison. wife of Presi-
dent Harrison, and Mrs. Grant. widow of
Gen. Grant. The bill for services at the
funeral of President Garfield. amounting
to less than 5000. was, it is said. never
paid by the government. The committee of
audit provided for in the act of Congress
making the necessary appropriation for the
funeral expenses requested that in the SUBJ
mission of all bills the creditor sign an
agreement to accept the sum decided upon
by the committee.
oeCllues 70 olSu.
This Mr.. Speare refused to do, and the
bill was never settled. Mr.. Speare declining
to institute legal proceedings to recover the
amount. The account. 1t is stated, is now
outawed, and the only way in which re-
cOvery can be made is by a special act of
Congress,
1t is also said Mr.. Speare officiated at the
funeral OF Gen. Butler. Speaker Thomas B.
Reed, Walter Q. Gresham. Secretary of
State under President Cleveland; Senator
Mark Hanna. Postmaster General Payne,
Senator ]. T. Morgan of Alabama, Admiral
Sampson. Mrs. John NJ. Wilson, wife of
Gen. John NJ. Wilson. U. 8. A; Rev. DIR.
Teunis s. Hamlin. Mrs. Jacob H. CALM
ger. wife of Senator Galinger of New
Senior Romero, at one time min
lister from Mexico. and many others of
prominence.
Mr. Speare Is said to have driven the
wagon which contained the remains of John
Wilkes Booth. assassin OF President Lin
ton barracks. to his undertaking establish
ment on F street. There the body was pre-
pared for shipment to Baltimore for final
interment in a cemetery in that city The
same wagon was employed to remove the
body of Charles J. Guiteau. who assassinat-
ed President Garfield. from its temporary
burial place under the laundry at the Unit
ed States Jail to the Army Medical Mu-
scum or Ford's old theater, on 10th street.
where the skeleton is said to have been
articulated
Deceased was noted for his quiet works
of charity. His brother. Mr.. Frank A.
Speare, has received many condolences
through the mail, by wire and by personal
calls of friends.