New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-16

Der of States. time being employed in the
mines OF New Mexico.
Returning :, Illinois from the West he married
and settled down at Spring Valley. where his fam
lily Of wife and four children live His first ser
vice in a public capacity was in 1897, when he
appointed an organizer Of the United Mine Work
ers by President Ratchford, and in the year
he was elected member of the Illinois State Elk
ecutve Board. In 1893 he was elected National
vice-president Of the organization, and became
ing president when Ratchford determined give
his time more fully to the work of the Industrial
Commission. and In January. 1899. Mitchell sue
ceeded to the presidency by election.
HOW MITCHELL WAS ADVANCED
The qualities which advanced Mitchell from
coal miner at Spring Valley the presidency of
the organization in two years powers of ready
debate in convention. earnesness Of purpose to Sc
cure fair treatment of the men the organization
represents. and kind and courteous demeanor
but frmness under all circumstances He is known
in the organization as a fighter Of rare pluck and
capable of holding on when any ordinary man
would admit defeat. He is slow make up his
mind important question but energetic and
determined when once the question is decided
Executive Board look to him for advice and coun
CT and often defer to ms judgment in matters
fellow workers Familiarity as John and though
ionabie when once his acquaintance IS formPcd
reader. '''''' u Jus
Christopher Evans. with whom originated the idea
and fixing scales of wages by agreement nor
OF the organizers of the United Mine Workers
and Is also manager Of The Mine Workers. TO,Ir
nal" the organ Of the order He has mad the most
varied experience Of any man prominent in
He was born in England In lS41. and began work
Ing in the mines In that country when only nine
years old. He came to America In 1865 and fOur
years later was made president CT a local ,1nf0r
OF miners that was formed Kee' Ridge Penn
It fell to his lot to be in charge Of strike thar
occurred in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys i'm
1873, being at the time president of the County
Board and also of the Relief Fund Board Tba
strike conducted through eight months but
finally failed OF its object Evans soon after moved
TO the Hooking Valley mines in Ohio. and when
the great strike of 1854 occurred he again presi
dent of the Relief Fund Board One wear lafar
the Federation of Miners and Mine La borers was
organized. and he was made executive secretary
1t this Board that secured conferences with the
operators and established a precedent for fixing
the scale for the bituminous mines that has been
followed since.
He was elected secretary OF the federation four
times and when the Progressive Union formed
he was made State president for Ohio. but resigned
ana was elected secretary Of the American FEEDER
1894 when he took active part in the great sus-
pension or that year as organizer and was
sent into West Virginia TO organize the miners
In that state. He Is now employed organizer
IN the United Mine Workers order.
OFFICIAL DIRECTLY IN CHARGE
Frederick Dfcher is a native OF Ohio and is the
organizer for the district that includes the eastern
part OF that State and the anthracite coal fields
of Pennsylvania, and he will be the official of the
Executive Board directly in charge OF the strike
His co-laborers and assistants will be Thomas d