Newport weekly independent., 1902-07-04
PROF. JAMES MITCHELL
The DIstins uish.d Editor Passes Awuy
 After a Lingering Iness.
Prof. James Mitchell. editor of the

Prof. James Mitchell, editor of the Arkansas Democrat, died June 26, after an illness from kidney trouble of two months duration. Three days before death Col. Mitchell underwent an operation, but his strength had been so wasted that his life was only prolonged thereby.
 James Mitchell was born May 8. 1893. in Washington county, Arkansas, and was the sec ond Of James and Mary A. Mitchell. His father, native of Kentucky. was for the most part reared in Indiana. and moved Co Arkansas in 1927.
 The boyhood snd youth of James Mitchell were spent on farm in the mountains of northwestern Arkansas. where, in early life, he learned that industry and economy are ele- mcnts of character essential Co success. Et- naucial misfortune overlook his parents tn hts boyhood. He was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood and at Cane Hill college the oldest chartered institution of learn ing in the state. Al the age of l6 he taught his first school and continued teaching and at. tending school by turns. until be was 2J years old In 1855 be entered the service of the United States deputy surveyor, and was employed in the survey of Kansas and Ncbras- ka until lS5O when he returned to Arkansas and again taught school In lS60 be was elect ed to the legislature. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted as private in the Con federate army in May, 1861, contiGuing in the military service until June. 1885. when he sur rendered captain with Gen. Caben. at Cor sicana, Tex. He remained in Texas year. teaching school. In 1866 he returned home, and engaged in farming and teaching. At the reorganization of Cane Hill college, fin 1868. he was made professor and held the post for six years. In 1874 he was elected to the chair of English literature in the Arkansas Agri- cultural and Industrial University at Fayette- vile, Ark, which chair he filled for two years. In 1876 he rendered the position of editor in-chief of the Arkansas Gazette the leading morning daily of the state, and resigned his professorship in the university to accept that place. This necessitated his removal to Little Rock.
 In 1878 Prof. Mitchell severed his connec- tion with the Gazette and with Gen. W. D. Blocher purchased the Arkansas Democrat, an afternoon paper. year later Gen. Blocher died, and Prof. Mitchell associated with him self James R. Bettis. of St. Louis, who was his business manager and partner for eleven years. In 1890 the Arkansas Democrat Company was formed, with Prof. Mitchell president and editor in chief. He continued at the head of the Democrat until about two mouths go, when his illness compelled him to take to his bed. For over twenty years Prof. Mitchell stood at the head of journalism in Arkansas, and through his sagacity and editorial ability the Democrat wielded wide influence in contrOll ing the tone of public sentiment. He made it a factor in building up the material resources of the state and .naugurated and led to sue cess many enterprises, both of state and local character. His pen, purse and influence were always ready to aid in every public enterprise and charitable undertaking of merit. Never seeking public office or political preferment for himself, he did much to advance the aspirations of others. and exercised potent influence in state policy. He ardent but conserva- | tive democrat and adhered to the doctrine, | ''the greatest good to the greatest number" as | the basis of true republican institutions. Prof. Mitchell of the chief advocates | for creditable exhibit of the resources of Ar | kansas at the Columbian exposition, and largely aided in securing private subscriptions and a | state appropriation for that purpose. He was | appointed by Gov. James F. Eagle one of the | worlds fair commissioners and elected l president of the state board He always took l great interest in educational affairs and his l long experience in teaching equipped him for | great influence in educational councils. He | served as Il member of the public school board | of the city of Little Rock and for years held
 commission from the governor of the state 1 as of the trustees of the state university, | where he rendered valuable aid in building up l and establishing the institution which has be- l come state pride. number of times his | name prominently mentioned for guber- | material hOnors, but be always declined a can
 didacy. In May, 1893, Prof. Mitchell was ap- pointed postmaster at Little Rock by President Cleveland, which position he held until 1897,
 after which time he devoted himself to the edi- | torial management of the Democrat.
 In 1860 Prof. Mitchell married Miss Lizzie
 Latta, by whom he is survived, along with | three and three daughters. His are l William S., treasurer and manager of the Ar
 kansas Democrat Company; Horace G., secre- l tary of the Arkansas Democrat Company, and
 James, Jr. The daughters Mrs. John E.
 Coates, Mrs. Ashley Cockrill and Miss Fannie | Mitchell. daughter, Miss Mamie, was taken | by the grim reaper just she was budding | into most beautiful womanhood.
 | Prof Mitchell was member of the Masonic | fraternity and the Knights of Pythias He
 possessed an ability recognized among the lead. | ing minds of the southwest, and had char
 acter for honesty and integrity and fidelity | to every trust reposed, which gained him a
 business and social standing enjoyed in greater
 measure by no man in Arkansas.