The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-11
LIFE OF "OLD STARS"
Ormsby Mcknight Mitchell, the
Fighting Astronomer.
FRIEND OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Scientist Turns Into Brilliant Soldier
Good Work for His Country-Died
With Armor on.

S4A-oa SouHsy, AeutuCkys III the year icV0i
In the same year and same state with
Abraham Lincoln. 1t is a pleasing CO.
incidence that both of these distinguished
characters, born on the soil of slavery.
should have SO thoroughly imblbed the
spirit of universal freedom Their lives
were, however, quite differently spent
until the breaking out of the civil war.
Mitchell moved to Lebanon, Ohio, when
boy, and here he received his early edu-
cation. He entered the military academy
at West Point in 1926. and graduated in
1923. Robert E. Lee and Joseph Il. john
ston, afterwards noted Confederate gen.
erals, were his classmates. At West Point
Mitchell received the careful mathematical
training that laid the foundation of his
future labors in astronomy. For short
time he was assistant professor at the
military academy, and this gave him OPP
portunity to pursue his favorite studies.
His high moral tone is shown in many
ways. His first public address was on the
subject of temperance, and was delivered
to the students and professors at West
Point
In 1882 he was married to a young
widow, Mrs. Trask, and soon afterwards
he removed to Cincinnati. Here he prac-
ticed law for short time. His chief work
was, however, in connection with the
Cincinnati college, where he was professor
of mathematics, engineering, etc. 1t was
during the period of his professorship at
this place that he projected the plan of
the first great observatory in the United
States.
For the purpose of acquainting himself
with the necessary equipments of an OBJ
servatory, he visited England, France
and Germany. While on this tour he met
Sir George Airy Sir John Herschel, Arago
and other eminent astronomers. For
short time ne was assistant to the AS
tronomer Royal, Sir George Airy.
During his European journey his family
remained in America, and the letters sent
to his family display the loving father and
husband.
Under date of August 81, lS42, he wroteto
his wife:
"How grateful 1 shall be should God in
His providence again permit me to fold
you in my arms, to clasp my dear children
TO my bosom and feel that am again sur
rounded by those who love me. What are
the mighty wonders of London; what the
Joy, frivolity and gorgeous splendor Of
Paris; what the bright lakes and mountain
tops of independent Switzerland, or the
gay scenes of sport and pleasure which
crowd the continental metropolis? Alas!
] was alone in the midst of thousands; a
dreary solitude reigned around me-"
He returned from Europe in the autumn
of 1912, having procured telescope for
the observatory at Munich, in Germany.
On November g. 1913, the cornerstone of
the Cincinnati observatory was laid. John
Quincy Adams delivered the grafton. Sub
lime spectacle, to behold the venerable ex-
president pronouncing his benediction on
an enterprise connecting earth with the
stars.
In 1915 the observatory was completed,
and Professor Mitchell realized the fulfill
ment of his fondest hopes. It was \ vic
tory won over giant difficulties. A spirit
less perservering and courageous would
have failed under the many obstacles that
blocked his way.
He spent fifteen years at this observatory.
During this time he was its director, with
out salary. This compelled him to resort
TO various sources for liyelihood-engi-
neering, lecturing and writing. But
amidst all his difficulties he was devout
astronomer, and contributed materially to
the advancement of the science. In his
researches he discovered that Antares 1.-THE
principal star in the constellation Scorpi-
us) is double. His name went abroad and
the Cincinnati observatory became favor
tie resort of the leading scientif men of
the nation.
During his observatory life Professor
Mitchell found his wife valuable assistant
at the telescope as well as in the family
circle. She was in hearty sympathy with
him in his astronomical labors, and cheer
fully aided him in every possible way. She
was the first woman in America who
looked upon the planet Neptune.
Among his other labors while at Cincin-
natl he published his world-renowned
work, "Plonetay and Stellar Worlds" He
also originated an astronomical journal,
the Sideredi Messenger, which he published
but short time.
In the meantime, honors were coming to
him, and what is an uncommon thing
among men of science, he became pos
sessed of comfortable competence He
had been consulting engineer of the Ohio
& Mississippi Railroad Company, and
that company sent him to Europe in 1858.
for the purpose of negotiating sale of
their bonds He made sale through Mr..
Peabody, the noted banker, and this gave
him fortune.
In 1850 he was called to the dictatorship
of the Dudley observatory at Albany, New
York, retaining, however. his connection
with the Cincinnati observatory.
4 change of life had now TO be made.
The civil war came appealing to the loyal
heart OF the nation. What should Profess
sor Mitchell do2 In the possession of fame
and fortune it was pleasant to contem-
plate spending his remaining days in the
pursuit of his favorite science. But no.
The dag under whose folds he had been
educated was in danger, and bidding
adieu to his fondest dreams, he should
cred his musket and went TO the field of
war.
President Lincoln made him brigadier-
general of volunteers, and he entered the
army service, Jealous defender of the
Union. He was Familiarity known in the
army as ''Old Stars" and be soon proved
TO the world that he loved the stars of the
Union as well as he did the stars of the
armament.
This army work is familiar to the STU
dents Of the civil war. For his meri-
torious service in the capture of Hunts
vile, Decatur and Stevenson Junction he
was made a major-general.
1t was General Mitchelis misfortune to
be subordinate under commanders of in
ferior ability. Brave and restless he was
impatient Of the delays caused by those
over him. But never once did he
swerve from duty. He stood high in the
confidence OF Lincoln, Stanton and Chase,
but, unfortunately for himself and his
n -