First Police Chief of Kansas City Missouri. Born near St. Louis Missouri, worked at his father's brick manufacturing business in St. Louis. Discharged from the St. Louis Militia in 1863, then moved to St. Joseph Missouri. There, he was in the freighting business, driving wagons trains from St. Joseph Missouri to Salt Lake City Utah, and on to California. In 1868, following in his father's foot steps, he came to Kansas City, Missouri and set up a brick building business. There he was elected town marshall on the democratic ticket in 1870. Speers' friends included such legendary men as Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok and William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. In 1874, the "Metropolitan Police Law" established Kansas City's police department. Missouri Governor Charles Hardin appointed George Caleb Bingham, a Missouri artist, W. M. McDearmon and H.J. Latshaw as the first Board of Police Commissioners. Bingham became the first President of the Board and led the Board in selecting Speers as the first Chief of Police, a post he held for 21 years. Had been mentioned as a candidate for mayor at the time of his death.
First Police Chief of Kansas City Missouri. Born near St. Louis Missouri, worked at his father's brick manufacturing business in St. Louis. Discharged from the St. Louis Militia in 1863, then moved to St. Joseph Missouri. There, he was in the freighting business, driving wagons trains from St. Joseph Missouri to Salt Lake City Utah, and on to California. In 1868, following in his father's foot steps, he came to Kansas City, Missouri and set up a brick building business. There he was elected town marshall on the democratic ticket in 1870. Speers' friends included such legendary men as Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok and William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. In 1874, the "Metropolitan Police Law" established Kansas City's police department. Missouri Governor Charles Hardin appointed George Caleb Bingham, a Missouri artist, W. M. McDearmon and H.J. Latshaw as the first Board of Police Commissioners. Bingham became the first President of the Board and led the Board in selecting Speers as the first Chief of Police, a post he held for 21 years. Had been mentioned as a candidate for mayor at the time of his death.
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