Pioneer Motley Woman Claimed
MATADOR (Special)- Motley county's oldest pioneer, Mrs. Clarissa Mahla [Mahalia] Speer, 93, was buried Tuesday in Dickens cemetery. She died Sunday following a six-month illness.Mrs. Speer, born in Weatherford Feb. 13, 1858, came to this area in 1896 and settled with her husband, the late John F. Speer, near Dickens. The couple married in 1872, moved to Flomot later and lived in Motley county for 27 years. Speer died in 1927 and Mrs. Speer had lived with a son, Joe L. since that time.
Mrs. Speer, known throughout this area, loved to recall the days of her pioneer life. She could remember the time when Cynthia Ann Parker, captured by the Indians, was returned to her home near Weatherford. Mrs. Speer lived within three miles of there at the time.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Flomot with Rev. Luther Bilberry of Spur officiating, assisted by Rev. J. E. Lee of Flomot and Floyd Davis of Matador. Eudy-Seale Funeral Home of Matador was in charge.
Surviving Mrs. Speer are three sons, 17 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She was the mother of nine children and she and her husband reared those children and five orphans and shared their home with four others. Surviving sons are John E. Speer of Lubbock; Dr. James B. Alpper of Alpine and Joe L. of Flomot.
©Lubbock Avalanche Journal, Oct. 11, 1951
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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