Emmie, George, and the Marriage That Wasn't
by Louise Eady
This story has been handed down for generations in the Stone Family
George W.W. Stone, Jr. was blinded after being stabbed in the eye by a goat when he was a little boy, but it did not stop him from leading a very successful life. He graduated from Emory College at the top of his class and later owned and supervised a cotton plantation at the edge of town. He made light-weight brooms in a little shop in the back yard of his family’s home. With the help of family and friends he read books and newspapers and wrote frequent letters, including letters to the editors of the Atlanta newspapers. He walked on his own throughout Oxford and was a familiar sight. He was also a popular storyteller, especially with the children in the community. He had many friends and served several terms as Mayor of Oxford.
From early childhood George had had a sweetheart, Emmie Stewart, who was one of Oxford’s most attractive young ladies. As a young man George gave Emmie an engagement ring. Emmie even made things for her hope chest. According to one account, Emmie was persuaded by her younger brother not to marry a blind man and she returned the ring. George gave the ring back to her and neither of them ever married anyone else. Emmie and her sister Sallie later bought a large house in the center of town and ran a boardinghouse for college students. She was much beloved by students and townspeople alike. She was a leader in her church and community and she was known for her wise counseling and mentoring of the college students. The “Stewart girls” had the reputation for setting the finest table in Oxford. Emmie was also known for the beautiful flowers she grew in her greenhouse.
But that’s not the end of the story. Every Sunday evening George Stone went to Emmie Stewart’s house for supper. While they sat on the porch talking, or with Emmie reading to him, George would hold her hand which would again wear his ring.
P.S. Emmie wore the ring for the rest of her life. After her death the Stewart family returned the ring to the Stone family. The ring now belongs to one of George’s great-great nieces. It looks like a gold wedding band and is inscribed on the inside with the initials G.S. and E. S.
But that’s not the end of the story. Every Sunday evening George Stone went to Emmie Stewart’s house for supper. While they sat on the porch talking, or with Emmie reading to him, George would hold her hand which would again wear his ring.
P.S. Emmie wore the ring for the rest of her life. After her death the Stewart family returned the ring to the Stone family. The ring now belongs to one of George’s great-great nieces. It looks like a gold wedding band and is inscribed on the inside with the initials G.S. and E. S.