Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-05-15
Amasa Stone.

Amasa Stone. of Cleveland, whose death
by suicide took place last week. was a re-
markable man in more respects than being a
millionaire.
He was born in Charlton. Worcester coun-
ty, Mass, on April y. 1918. His father, a
farmer, was n descendant of one of the lead
ing members Of a colony Of Puritans who
landed in Massachusetts in 1875. Young
Stone remained on the farm until he was IL
years old, receiving such an education as
could be had at the district school near his
home. When he reached the aye Of II he
engaged to work three years to learn the
trade Of builder. The first he did on his
own account was two years later. when he
fled q contract for the joiner-work of a large
house in Worcester. When he was 20 wears
old he and his two elder brothers built a
church in East Brookfeld and the next wear
Mr.. Stone was foreman of the men engaged
in building two church edifices and several
other buildings in different parts of Massa-
chusetts. In 1889 and 1910 Mr.. Stone was
engaged with Mr.. Howe, his brother. in-l,w,
in building a bridge across the Connecticut
river at Springfield. Mr.. Howe had Just Sc
cured a patent for his invention If the Howe
truss bridge" Two years later Mr.. Stone
and A. Body purchased from Mr.. Howe the
right To u.e the laiters patent in the New
England States, and a company was formed
under the title of Boodv, Stone 4 Co. to con-
struct railroads and railroad bridges. Mr..
Stone was appointed superintendent of the
New Haven. Hartford and Springfield Rail
road in 1915. but soon afterward resigned that
position, because of the growing business of
his firm. After few years, serious defects
were found in the ''Howe truss bridge" and
il looked as if Mr.. Stones investment of
$40 900 in the patent would be failure. He
set his inventive genius ut work, however.
and succeeded in SD improving the patent that
1t became a very profitable investment. The
bridge over the Connecticut river at Enfield
Falls was carried awsv by hurricane in
1876. and the New Haven, Hartford and
Springfield Railroad Company asked Mr..
Stone to build new bridge. one-quarter of
mile long, as speedily as possible. In 40 days
from the time work was bgun trains of cars
passed over the bridge and Mr.. Stone re-
ceived complimentary resolutions and an en-
ira check for 81, 700 from the company
The firm of Body. Stone & Co., Was dis
solved in lst7, and Mr.. Stone secured the
Howe patent for the States of Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Tie formed
partnership with ID. l. Harris, which con-
tinued two years. and in lS4s he became as
ISOLATED with the late SULLIVAN Witt and
Frederick Harhach. This firm contracted
Win Tue N'e'e'a""' 'o'"m""s an" ,i"cihha'i
Railroad COMPANY to build the road between
Cleveland and Columbus. Part of the pay
ment was to be in stock + the company. and
manv OF Mr. stones friends urged him not
to take the contract. predicting that the stock
would not be valuable. Mr.. Stone took the
contract, however, and the stock proved to
be an excellent investment In 1850 Mr..
Stone was made superintendent of the Cleve-
land, Cincinnati Road. He also took the
superintendsncy of the railroad from Cleve
land to Erie. with the construction of which
he had been connected. Two years afterward
he became director Of each road, and in
1854 he resigned rs superintendent because of
i'll health. The year follow ing Messrs. Stone
and Witt built the Chicago and Milwaukee
Railroad, and for MANY years Mr.. Stone was
director Of that road. He was also for sew
eral years president of the Cleveland, Psines-
Vile and Ashtabula Railroad. In 1873 he