William S. Speed
The funeral of William S. Speed, who died in Baltimore, MD, October 2, 1911,
was held at the home of G. H. Scripps on Thursday of last week,
conducted by Dr. Royal W. Ennis. The following brief sketch of his life was read by the pastor.
After an illness of several months, William Scripps Speed, for many years identified with the newspaper business
in several of the large cities of the country, died at Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, MD, at 11:30 p. m.Oct. 2, 1911.
Mr. Speed was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. J. N. Speed of Rushville, IL,
where he was born in the year 1862. From Rushville he went to Cleveland, Ohio
and entered the business office of The Cleveland Press, where he remanined for a number os years as business manager.
In 1887 he went to Detroit, Mich, and became connected with the Evening News,
then owned by James E. Scripps, and directly under the management of John S. Sweeney, formerly of Rushville.
He remained with the News until May 1888, when he went to Indianapolis,
where, with others, he established The Evening Sun, having charge of the financial affairs of the paper.
In the fall of 1890 the World was established in Baltimore, and Mr. Speed, becoming part owner,
took an active part in its management and remained with its concern until 1907, when he took special advertising in New York and
Toronto, Canada.
Early in the present year he returned to Baltimore,
but his health would nor permit of very active work. During his years in Baltimore,
Mr. Speed made many warm and lasting friendships.
About a month ago Mr. Speed was stricken with a severe attack of heart trouble while at Belmar, NJ,
where he was spending the summer with friends.
Just one week before his death he was removed from the hospital in New Jersey to Mercy Hospital in Baltimore,
and for a few days seemed to be improving, and his friends were hopeful of his recovery,
but on Friday evening he lapsed into unconsciousness from which he never rallied.
His sister, Mrs. E. R. McFadden of Chicago was with him when he died.
Published October 11, 1912
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