Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-07
EMERSON STONE CHAIRMAN
Formal Organization of County Commits
soners for 1898 Effected,

sioners for 1898 Effected.
The formal organization of the board
Of county commissioners for the year
1898 was effected Thursday morning,
with the election of Emerson Stone of
Spencer as chairman Henry G. Taft
declined reelection after eight years
continuous service at the head Of the
commission. Several ballots were cast
for Commissioner Taft, but he repeated
ly declined. Mr.. Taft has not been in
accord with Commissioner Emerson
Stone and George w. Cook, the other
members of the board, in regard to the
plans for the new court house, and this
Mr.. Taft gave as his reason for the de-
ciination, thinking he could better fur
Their his idea in regard to the adoption
of the plans of Elbridge Boyden, by re-
fusing the craftsmanship. Commission
ers Stone and Cook are firm in standing
by their vote, and there the matter
stands.
Chairman Emerson Stone, Familiarity
known as Captain Stone, has a heroic
war record, and has for many years
been prominently recognized for his
ability and judgment, taking an import
ant part in the civic councils Of his
county.
Chairman Stone was. born in Mont
gomery, Ala, in 1910, but has lived in
Spencer and vicinity ever since he was
10 months old. He was educated in the
public schools and Leicester academy,
and at the breaking out Of the war was
In his 21st year. He was at work at
that time in the card clothing business
of the late Joseph Denny, the father of
Charles A. Denny of Leicester. After
the first shot was heard the young
bosom of Mr.. Stone was stirred with
enthusiasm, and he determined to enlist
In the cause of his country. Mr. Denny
met him in the shop as he was going
out, and asked him where he was go
ing. He said he was going to enlist.
For how long?" asked Denny. For
the war" was the answer. WELL" an
swered Mr.. Denny, "if you go, you will
find your place in this shop open for
you when you return, no matter how
long you remain away" Mr.. Stone re-
manned away long time, but he never
went back for his old job, although he
has frequently been back in the shop to
look at his old place.
Mr. Stone was the first man in Leices-
ter to enlist in the war, a distinction he
is proud Of. He joined the Holden com
pany in the third battalion of rifles
called in those days the Holden "Rare-
ripes." The ''Rareripes" were all right
had christened them in spirit Of fun.
After several months Of service the bat
talon returned, and Mr. Stone again
enlisted. This time he Joined Co. X Of
the 25th regiment. He served in the bat
ties Of Roanoke and Newbern and was
with his regiment in the Virginia cam
paign. He was recomme tended for pro-
motion and went to headquarters for ex-
animation. He met Gen. Casey, and
when he told the general that he was
born in Alabama and went north when
an infant, Gen. Casey remarked that it
was lucky for him he did, as he would
not have been able to pass such an eX-
animation as he did if he had remained
in the SOUTH When Mr. Stone went
back to see his comrades before being
assigned to his command as lieutenant
the battle Of Drury's Bluff was In sight.
He remained with his old company and
took part in this battle, although he was
not supposed to go into the fight. In
this battle he lost his left arm. He was
struck by a musket ball fired by a rebel
at whom he was taking aim himself
Capt Stone after this received his COM
mission He was taken prisoner and
served six months in Libby prison.
After the war he returned to Spencer
and was appointed a deputy revenue col
lector He was appointed postmaster
at Spencer in 1868 and served for 20
years. On the board of county commits
sioners he has just completed his ninth
year and is entering his fourth term.
Following the election of chairman
the commissioners with their clerk,
Major William T. Harlow. dined at the
Bay State, Capt. Stone sitting, by vir-
tue of his position at the head of the
table. In the afternoon routine business
was considered, and occasionally Wis
itor dropped into the commissioner $
office to congratulate Capt. Stone upon
his election, and upon the fact that the
head of the board represents the major
ity will