Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-13
A VERY SAD ACCIDENT
G. MITCHELL AT MARTINS FER
RY YESTERDAY MORNING.
LEADING CITIZEN OF THE TOWN
While Engaged In Cleaning q Revolt
yer at His Home the Weapon Was
Discharged, the Bullet Passing
Through His Heart-Had Been
Mayor. Postmaster and Justice of
the Peace.

the Peace.
About II o'clock yesterday morning
the citizens of Martins Ferry received
a shock in the announcement that
of the most prominent citizens had met
his death by the accidental discharge
of a revolver which he was in the act
of cleaning. The victim was Mathew
C. Mitchell, who has figured largely in
Belmont and Eastern Ohio politics, and
a man who was known by almost all,
and despite his strong political aggres-
siveness was well liked. In his death
the Republican party loses one Of the
greatest counselor5 and advisers that
ever lived in the county, and his pass
ing away leaves no one of his ability
to take his place.
Mr.. Mitchell had been confined to his
home for some weeks with an ailment
similar to the grippe, but the last few
days re seemed to be much better, and
yesterday morning he told his wife he
felt SO much improved that he believed
that he was able to clean two shotguns
he had recently loaned. He remarked
that as the hunting season was about
over he would clean up the guns and
put them away. As Mr.. Mitchell has
always taken great pride in his fire.
arms, always ~endeavoring to have his
guns in the best of condition, he enter
ed into the work with much
satisfaction His wife was in
the room most of the time, and
a most pleasant conversation was
kept up between them, and Mrs. Nit
chell was much encouraged by her
husbands improved condition and
while at his work cleaning his guns,
he was quite lively. After cleaning
the guns, MI. Mitchell said he would
just clean up his revolvers, and while
they were conversing he finished clean
ing one and put it on the table near
where he was at work. He started to
work on an old SO calibre revolver in
which were four empty shells and one
loaded one. Mr.. Mitchell extracted
the blank shells and was in the act of
taking out the loaded shell when Mrs.
Mitchell left the room. In a few mo-
ments she heard the discharge of the
revolver and upon entering the
found her husband sunk in the chair
having fallen over the table. Mrs.
Mitchell Immediately sent for DR..
Shuttleworth, who arrived soon, but
there was no use of medical aid as the
bullet had passed through Mr.. Nit
cheell's breast, killing him instantly.
Soon friends gathered about the resi-
dence and Mrs. Mitchell, who was in
a very dazed condition and unable,
owing to the shock, to realize the sit
uation, was given what aid was pos
sible. She bore up bravely and
showed plainly that she was a woman
equal to misfortune.
AL luS PCOPic vi Iulo Slbs OAtSAo =
Mrs. Mitchell their most profound sym
pathy, and trust she may be able to
bear up under this sudden, sad and aw-
full loss. Four children survive the
father, one daughter leaving for Pitts
burg last Tuesday to attend school.
MI. Mitchell was in his ffty-ninth
year and was postmaster of this city
during President, Harrison's term,
Mayor three times, served two terms as
Justice of the Peace, and for a number
of years prior to his marriage was a
clerk in the patent department at
Washington.
The city has lost n of its best
citizens, one who always worked
for the best interests of the town, and
while a strong partisan, was always a
fearless advocate for what he thought
was best, and when at times he was
criticised by his own party he went
on, always satisfied with following out
his true and honest belief. The ar
rangements for the funeral have not
yet been made and will be published
later.