The Lone Grave

   The following interesting clipping from the Fort Smith Times and the accompanying information will be interesting to our many readers:

   "Some time ago George Sengel and Bill Johnson were wandering outside the cemetery when just beyond the west wall they came across a slight mound of earth headed by a rude stone on which was inscribed roughly:
'To the Memory of R. A. Stone, Private Co. E Twentieth regiment Texas Cavalry. Born Oct. 22, 1844; Died Mar 7, 1863. Resident of Kaufman County, Texas.'
    Truly he is one of the almost unknown dead.  Many Fort Smithians remember when the Texas cavalry was here, and if this should catch the eye of some Texan, or better, if the item reach a newspaper in Kaufman County Texas, a stray relative may find his whereabouts.  He was not quite 19, as can be seen, and he came up here to fight for his beloved southland and here fills an unnoticed grave.  When the brick wall was put up he was left on the outside.  Application will be made to the war department to see whether his remains cannot be placed within to be cared for like the rest."

Mr. Jake Beck, of this city, states he belonged to the same company with Stone and that his company camped for fourteen months at that place.  He is also of the opinion that he helped bury him, but that he helped in the burial of so many that he does not know as a certainty that he assisted in this particular instance.  G. C. Campbell, who lives about seven miles east of this city, also belonged to the same company.

Hon. J. O. Terrell, of this city, is in possession of more information pertaining to Stone and his family than any other person, perhaps, living.  Mr. Terrell was born within about two miles of the old home place of R. A. Stone's father.  Mr. Terrell says that Frank Stone, father to R. A. Stone, whose burial is the subject of this article, came to this (Kaufman) County in 1856 or 1857 and settled about twelve miles east of the city.  Stone was in very poor circumstances when he came to this place and Mr. Terrell's father, who at the time was one of the wealthiest settlers of the county, loaned him money and helped him in every way that he could to provide for his family.  Mr. and Mrs. Stone, Cornelia, R.A. and Sibbey constituted the family.  Stone was a very quiet and highly respected citizen, and soon amassed a handsome fortune by his careful management.  He in due time, repaid the money borrowed of Mr. Terrell, with interest added.  He continued to thrive, and in a few years he was worth even more than Mr. Terrell, who but a few years before had started him on life's journey, and at his death, was one of the wealthiest farmers of Kaufman County.

During the first year of the war Mr. Terrell died, leaving the rest of the family to battle through life.  When Mr. Terrell's son, now the Hon. J.O. Terrell of this city, became old enough to attend school, Mr. Stone loaned him money with which to receive his education.  Mr. Terrell, after receiving his education, labored diligently and repaid the money borrowed of Mr. Stone.   Cornelia Stone, Mr. Stone's wife (sic; actually it was his daughter), died about the year 1863, about the same time the son was buried at Fort Smith.  Mr. Stone died near 1880, leaving a surviving son who died a few years afterwards, and daughter Cordelia who married Harry Hottinger, and is now living with her husband at Wills Point, Texas.  They are worth probably thirty thousand dollars.  Mrs. Hottinger is the only known surviving relative, near or distant.  The other members are buried at Cedar Grove, this county.