Summary Information
At a Glance
Call No.: |
MS#1183 |
Bib ID |
4079809
View CLIO record
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Creator(s) |
Speer, William McMurtrie, 1865-1923
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Title |
William McMurtrie Speer papers, 1880-1936 |
Physical Description |
17 linear feet (34 boxes 3 oversize volumes 1 oversize folder) |
Language(s) |
English
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Access |
The following boxes are located off-site: Boxes 2-34. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. This collection has no restrictions. |
Arrangement
Arrangement
Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged chronologically within professional categories. Box 1-2: 1888-1936, Cataloged correspondence & Misc.; Box 3-14: 1884-1923, Journalist & Publisher; Box 15-24: 1889-1921, Public Official & Political Appointee; Box 25-29: 1890-1923, Attorney in Private Practice; Box 30-34: 1891-1923, Inventor, Promoter & Businessman.
Description
Summary
Correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, contracts, legal briefs, patents, and other documents, music scores, cartoons, technical drawings, account books, blueprints, photographs, clippings, printed legal briefs & transcripts, proofs, scrapbooks, and other printed materials of William M. Speer.
There are 14 manuscript boxes & 3 oversize volumes concerning his work as a journalist & publisher. Speer was the Albany correspondent for "The Sun" from 1884 until 1893. From 1893 to 1896 he was editor and part owner of "The Argus" in Albany and there are business records from this period. There is a scrapbook of his articles for "The Buffalo Express" for the period from 1896 until 1903. In 1896 he founded The Law Press as a commercial printer for lawyers, and The Cornucopia Company to publish music and a literary periodical. From 1904 to 1909, he was editorial and legislative writer for the "Evening World" in New York City and there are files of his correspondence, editorial writing, and his investigations of the insurance industry and the Panama Canal libel suit. From 1903 until 1922, he contributed to periodicals and wrote books and pamphlets on many subjects. Starting in 1919, he worked on a scenario and publicity for the Fox Film Corporation's film on wounded veterans of the war. In 1922, he became an editorial writer for "The Evening Mail".
There are 10 boxes of material covering his activities as a public official and political appointee. In 1889, he was Secretary of the Johnstown Flood Committee; in 1889 and 1890, Secretary to The Committee for The International Exposition of 1892; in 1890, Secretary to Mayor of New York City Hugh J. Grant; in 1894, Delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention. In 1910, he was appointed Special Counsel to New York City for the Ashokan Reservoir Compensation Claims, advising the city on landowners' claims in Ulster County. In 1912 and 1913, he was Special Counsel for the Aldermanic Police Investigation in New York City during the anticorruption drive of Mayor William J. Gaynor. In 1920, he became a Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the United States to investigate profiteering in the coal industry.
There are 5 boxes of case files from his private legal practice for the period 1890 to 1923.
And there are 4 boxes of papers and an oversize folder of drawings concerning his interests as an inventor, promoter, and businessman. These are files about the Snow Melter (his device to clear city streets), his New York & Brooklyn Economic Power & Construction Company (for the transmission of electricity), The Pneumatic Co. (to manufacture stencil cutting machines), The Philippines Company (a shipping business), hinge making machines (patents and contracts for manufacturing), rack cutting apparatus, an old age pension plan (for the sale of annuities), the Food Committee (a planned co-operative purchasing company), Fabricated Concrete Corporation (which built, rented, and sold houses made of cinder block), Sunlight Gas Machine Co. (which sold equipment for gas lighting), timber mill and timber land sales (acting as an agent for selling land in the southern states), and public transit reorganization (his plan for improving the transportation system in New York City).
Among the cataloged correspondents are: Maxwell Anderson, Charles A. Dana, David B. Hill, Walter Hines Page, S.S. McClure, and Elihu Root.
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Series I: Cataloged Correspondence and Uncataloged Miscellaneous Materials
Includes cataloged correspondence, as well as miscellaneous clippings, correspondence, documents, pamphlets. Also includes photographs of Speer.
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Series II: Journalist and Publisher, 1884-1923
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Series III: Public Official and Political Appointee, 1889-1921
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Series IV: Attorney in Private Practice, 1890-1923
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Series V: Inventor, Promoter, and Businessman, 1891-1923
Using the Collection
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Restrictions on Access
The following boxes are located off-site: Boxes 2-34. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); William McMurtrie Speer papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Ownership and Custodial History
Gift of Mrs Ann Satterthwaite, 1991.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Papers Processed HR 05/19/1992.
Revision Description
2020-10-16 EAD document created by CCR.
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the
Archival Collections Portal and through
CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries,
as well as ArchiveGRID,
a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
All links open new windows.
Genre/Form
Subject
Heading |
"CUL Archives:" "Portal" |
"CUL Collections:" "CLIO" |
"Nat'l / Int'l Archives:" "ArchivedGRID" |
Actions and defenses |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Agriculture |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Anderson, Maxwell, 1888-1959 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Annuities |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Ashokan Reservoir (N.Y.) |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Bankruptcy |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Brooklyn Edison Company, Inc |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Businessmen |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Cinder blocks |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Coal -- Transportation -- Law and legislation |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Coal trade |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Comstock, Anthony, 1844-1915 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Concrete houses |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Consumer cooperatives |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Cooperation |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Cornucopia Company |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Dairy laws -- New York (State) |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Dana, Charles A (Charles Anderson), 1819-1897 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Dana, Paul, 1852-1930 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Deeds |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Delaware and Eastern Railway Company |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Dixie Transportation Co., Inc |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Douglass Barnes Corporation |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Editors |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Eminent domain -- New York (State) |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Equitable Life Insurance Company |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Fabricated Concrete Corporation |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Floods -- Pennsylvania -- Johnstown (Cambria County) |
Portal
|
CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Food Committee |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Food supply |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Fox Film Corporation |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Gas-lighting |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Gaynor, William Jay, 1849-1913 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Glynn, Martin Henry, 1871-1924 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Government attorneys |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Government litigation |
Portal
|
CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Grant, Hugh John, 1855- |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Hearst, William Randolph, 1863-1951 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Hill, David B. (David Bennett), 1843-1910 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Hinges -- Manufacture |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Insurance companies -- Investigation |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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International Exposition of 1892 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Inventions |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Inventors |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Johnstown Flood Committee |
Portal
|
CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Journalism |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Journalists |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Kingston (N.Y.) |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Laffan, William M. |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Law Press |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Lawyers |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Libel and slander |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Local transit -- New York (State) -- New York -- Reorganization |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Lord, Chester Sanders, 1850-1933 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Lumber trade -- Southern States |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Machinery |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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McClure, S. S (Samuel Sidney), 1857-1949 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Music publishers |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Music publishing |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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New York (N.Y.). Board of Aldermen |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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New York (N.Y.). Board of City Record |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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New York (N.Y.). Department of Water Resources |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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New York (N.Y.). Law Department |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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New York (N.Y.). Office of the Mayor |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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New York (N.Y.). Police Department -- : Investigation |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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New York (State). Constitutional Convention (1894) |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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New York Mail and Newspaper Transportation Company |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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New York and Brooklyn Economic Power and Construction Company |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Newspaper publishing |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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O'Connor, Joseph, 1841-1908 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Old age pensions |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Page, Walter Hines, 1855-1918 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Panama Canal (Panama) |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Philippines Company |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Pneumatic Co |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Police corruption -- New York (State) -- New York |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Precast concrete construction |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Printing -- Technological innovations |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Promoters |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Public officers |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Publishers and publishing |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Pulitzer, Joseph, 1847-1911 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Ralph, Julian, 1853-1903 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Real property |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Representation in administrative proceedings |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Root, Elihu, 1845-1937 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Sawmills -- Southern States |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Scrapbooks |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Shipping |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Ships, Concrete |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Snow removal -- Technological innovations |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Stencils and stencil cutting -- Technological innovations |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Sulzer, William, 1863-1941 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Sunlight Gas Machine Co., Inc |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Transportation -- New York (State) -- New York -- Reorganization |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Trials (Libel) |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Ulster County (N.Y.) |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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United States. Attorney-General |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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Untermyer, Samuel, 1858-1940 |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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World War, 1914-1918 -- Veterans |
Portal
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CLIO
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ArchiveGRID
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History / Biographical Note
Biographical / Historical
William M. Speer was born in Huntingdon PA in 1865 and died in Piermont NY in 1923. He graduated from Yale University in 1880 and from the Albany Law School in 1887. He was a journalist, public official, lawyer, inventor, businessman, publisher, and author.
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