Remembering Senator William Joel Stone

Sunday, October 5, 2003

Nevada Herald In October 1935, Germany left the League of Nations. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was determined to keep the U.S. out of the war brewing in Europe that was to become World War II. A New Jersey appeals court upheld the conviction and death sentence for Bruno Hauptman in the Lindburgh baby kidnapping. In Nevada, schools were observing fire protection week, and State Hospital No. 3's herd of 88 Holstein cattle were the second highest producing dairy herd in Missouri. And a committee whose list of members reads like a who's who in Nevada, 1935, was busily preparing for the event of the year -- the dedication of the William Joel Stone Monument. Now, nearly 70 years later, the city of Nevada plans to rededicate the memorial on Oct. 11, the anniversary of its original dedication. At 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, the rededication ceremony will take place on the courthouse lawn, near the recently refurbished monument. Former Missouri Lt. Gov. Bill Phelps, who is originally from Nevada, is scheduled as the keynote speaker. Several members of Stone's family from across the country plan to be here for the event. "We're hoping for good weather, and a good turnout," said Sam Foursha, a member of the rededication committee, but the fanfare won't compare to that day in 1935, when statesmen from across the state and nation -- Senator James A. Reed, then Senator Harry S. Truman, Senator Champ Clark, Missouri Governor Guy Park and people from all walks of life converged on the Square to see the bronze likeness of one of Nevada's most famous sons unveiled. News reports in the Nevada Daily Mail led up to the event with almost daily coverage for two weeks. Descriptions of the statue in the Daily Mail said, "The statue, in a setting of trees and shrubs is located on the lawn of the Vernon County Courthouse, overlooking the south side of the square where were located the law offices Senator Stone maintained here for many years ... is graceful in symmetry of dignified proportions and design ... a bronze statue, a striking likeness of the man." Public schools, Cottey College, county offices and several businesses closed so that everyone could attend the dedication, leaving the impression that Stone had been well-loved, and well-remembered. William Joel Stone was born May 7, 1848, in Madison County, Ky. According to news reports from October 1935, he had moved to Columbia, Mo., at age 15, and became a student in the University of Missouri. He graduated in 1869. He practiced law for a time in Bedford, Ind., but opened a law office in Nevada in 1870. He was elected county prosecutor in 1872. He served as district representative from 1884 to 1890, and was elected governor in 1892. In January 1903, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He was re-elected twice, and died during his third term, on April 14, 1918. Stone was probably best known for opposing the nation's entry into World War I; however, once the declaration passed, he backed the war effort. News accounts say "he believed that American participation should be avoided if possible, but when the die was cast for war, he changed overnight," and acted in support of measures aimed at winning the war. Nevertheless, Stone was attacked by many as a German sympathizer, and was portrayed by cartoonists as a serpent or a "bird of ill omen." But Stone did not defend himself, which fellow legislator James A. Reed explained as part of Stone's desire not to "embarrass the administration... he maintained silence and endured the scourge." During the 1935 dedication, Reed said of Stone, "He was a leader of men, not a follower; he hewed his own path and did not walk along the beaten paths. He stood for things he believed to be right, whether it brought him popularity or criticism." Stone was a family man, as well, although little has been written about his personal life. He was married to Sarah Louise Winston on April 2, 1874. The couple had three children; Kimbrough, Mabel and Mildred. At the original dedication ceremony grandchild, Marjorie Stone, unveiled the monument, which was commissioned at a cost to the state of $15,000, and was sculpted by Chicago artist Frederick C. Hibbard. Stone is buried at Deepwood Cemetery, Nevada.

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