The leader., 1900-04-11
JOHN MARSHALL STONE.
4 Faithful Tribute to the Life
and Character of the Great
MissisSippian.

'iNdHS way
The majestic Stone is dead. At Hol,
ly Springs on the morning of March
26th, 1900, the spirit of this best be-
loved Mississippian winged its flight
beyond the stars.
No Mississippian sat higher in the
confidence and affection of his fellows
than John Marshall Stone, who in war
was mountain storm, and who in
peace was as gentle as the gales of
spring.
He honored public station and he
adorned private life. His virtues we're
an inspiration to the best manhood of
the commonwealth, and the youth of
the State can find no worthier example
to emulate.
For twelve years the chief executive of
this proud commonwealth, his admin
istration was as clean as unsunned
snow, and his private life was as bright
and pure as the first opening lilac
when it spreads its clear leaves to the
sweetest dawn of May. The elements
were so mixed in him that nature
might stand up and say to all the
world, This was man"
1t is but natural that the death of
such a stainless gentleman and lofty
patriot should cast a gloom over the
entire State; that tears should fall like
rain from even strong men-the men
who knew him best and loved him
most
The name of this true, strong, manly
man is part of the history of Missis-
sippi, both in peace and war. He
loved truth and he hated shams. He
was patriotic to the core. Every fiber
of his nature was fine. He would not
sell the truth to serve the hour, not
even for seat in the United States
Senate. He was true to SELF and it
followed as the night the day that he
was true to every trust. 1t has been
well said of him that he would not fiat
ter Neptune for his trident nor Jove
for his power to thunder.
His position in Mississippi was
unique; his influence for good meal
culable. He was a pyramidal figure
in the eyes of men, exemplifying the
great attributes of heroism, honesty
and exhalted public virtue.
Here at jackson, where he lived for
twelve years, his friends were legion;
in truth it may be said that in all the
broad confines of Mississippi he had
no enemies, save the enemies of the
State.
Peerless and stainless, after life's fit
full fever, full of honors. this noble
citizen sleeps well.
The old guard are passing. First
Lamar, then George, then Walthall,
and now Stone. Surely, Mississippi is
fast coming bereft of that galaxy of
statesmen and patriots who linked the
past and present.
John Marshall Stone was a native of
Tennessee, having been born April 30,
1880. He was the second child of Asher
and Judith RoyaD Stone, natives of
! Virginia, where their ancestors we're
prominent people. His parents moved
to Tennessee in the early 30's. Nine
children blessed this union. Himself
soldier, and wounded almost to the
death, Governor Stone had three broth
ers killed fighting for the Confederacy
His parents were not wealthy, and
he was denied a collegiate education,
but by his own efforts he secured
knowledge that was practical and val
liable. He taught school for time in
Tennessee, and in 1855 he located at
PASSPORT, Miss, where he engaged with
business house. Upon the compile
ton of the Memphis & Charleston
Road he was rendered the position of
agent at Iuka, which position he re-
signed to enter the Confederate service
In 1861, he was made the captain of
Company A, Second Mississippi Infan-
try At Harper's Ferry his company
was made part of the Third Brigade,
under the command of Brigadier Gen
eral Bee. He was in the fiercest of the
fighting at Manassas. At Yorktown
the troops were recognized, and Cap
tain Stone was elected, on April 10,
1862, colonel of the Second Mississippi
Regiment This promotion was in rec.
ignition of his efficient services as
soldier and of his gallantry as captain.
Among the battles in which he partc-
ipated were those of Gaines Mill, Nal
vern Hill, the first and second battles
of Manassas, Gettysburg, Falling
Waters, Spottsylvania, and the Will
derness.
When General Robt. f. Lee began
his movement northward in Maryland,
Col. Stones brigade, under command
of Brigadier General Heath, was order
ed to join him. The offensive move
ment brought on the battle of Gettys-
burg, in which the Second Mississippi
Regiment was hOtly engaged. This
regiment was stationed on the left, and
was opposed by General Reynolds
forces. In this fight Colonel Stone was
wounded in the side by a piece of a
shell, while CALAMITY leading his
troops. He was carried from the field
disabled, but he insisted the next day
n witnessing the fight in which his
regiment was in constant action, being
placed Immediately to the left of Pick
ett's division, and was conspicuous in
the famous charge for the possession
of Red Top. Colonel Stone was in the
center of the action, but on account of
his wound, after the charge he was
taken from the field and carried to the