The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-08
Senator John H. Mitchell, of
Oregon, Expired This Morning
As a Result Of the Removal Of
Four Teeth.
COULDN'T STOP BLOOD.
Scientific knowledge of Physi-
clans and Dentists Unavailing.
His Age and a Chronic AiIment
We're Against Him.

Portland, Ore, Dec. 8.-United States
Senator John H. Mitchell died at the
Good Samaritan hospital in this city at
11:40 o'clock this forenoon, death re-
sulting from complications which fol-
lowed the removal Of four teeth at a
dental office yesterday morning.
A hemorrhage of unusual severity fol-
lowed the removal of the teeth and des-
pite the application of the most power
ful styptics known to dental science the
flow Of blood could not be stayed. Ply
sicfans were summoned to the dental
office but the combined scientific
knowledge of the dentists and physicians
could not stop the flow Of blood. The
senator's condition soon became alarm
ing and it was determined to remove
him to the hospital When the senator
reached the hospital he was in a very
weakened condition and it became ap-
parent that unless the flow of blood
was soon stopped life would pass out
Senator Mitchell had long been a
sufferer from diabetes and other qls-
eases and in his weakened physlcaI
condition rapidly succumbed TO lneVl-
table weakness following sucn NlOlent
hemOrrhage and lapsed into state OF
semi-consciousness early in the even
Ing -Four physicians, DR.. A. j. Glesy,
DR. George f Wilson, DR. Emil Pohl
and DR.. James o. Q. Wiley worked
over the senator and about Z O'Clock
last night temporarily stopped the
hemorrhage, but the relief was o. out
short duration and again the blood pc
gan to flow intermittently, continuing
during the evening and through the
night At an early hour this morning
a severe vomiting spell further weak
ened the senator and 1t became more
and more apparent that the end was
approaching
Saline Injections.
All during the night salt was in
jected into the veins to furnish more
fluid for the circulatOry system and to
stimulate the sluggish circulation. The
diabebc coma into which the senator
1apsed grew more and more pro-
nounced, despite the frequent use Of
powerful stimulants, and only occa-
sional evidences of a certain degree OF
mental activity rewarded the untlr1ng
efforts of the physicians and nurses IN
attendance. Several hours before
death the injection OF saline solution
was discontinued and more powerful
heart stimulants resorted to, but with
no effect on the rapidly sinking man.
After daylight the senator's cOndi-
ton grew worse and pronounced indi-
cations Of modification became evi-
dent. especially in the ankles knees
and hips. Several hours before death
the action of the heart at times be-
came almost impercepuble and the
breathing came in short spasmodic
gasps. AS the end approached these
symptoms became more and more pro-
nounced. death ensuing at 11:40.
Senator Mitchell did not at any time
realize the seriousness of his cOndi-
ton. When he visited the dental Of
flee yesterday he was in a weakened
condition owing to the diseases which
affected him and his request that an
anesthetic be administered was de-
clined, the dental operator persuad-
ing him that such a course might be
harmful The first three teeth were
extracted with little or no trouble,
the flow of blood being normal. The
extracting of the fourth tooth was a
more difficult task and it was follow
ing this that the violent hemorrhage
manifested itself.
Sketch of His Life
John Ripple Mitchell was born in
Washington county, Pa. June %. 1885
DuTlng ms infancy he was taken by his
parents TO Butler county, where he was
reared on farm. He secured the rudi-
ments of an education at a district
school, and when aged II, began teach
ing 70 secure means to pay his tuition
at Butler academy from which he later
graduated. After graduating from the
academy he studied law in the Office of
former attorney general of Pennsylva-
via, Samuel A. Purviance. He practiced
law in PENNSYLVANIA until April 1850
when he went to California, locating
first at San Luis Obispo and later at
San Francisco In July Of that year he
came to this city.
The energy that characterized his en-
tire career caused his election on the
Republican ticket, as town counsel of
Portland in 1861.
The next year he was elected to the
state senate He failed of election to
a Heer p, rc~~
vote. He had formed law partnership
IN 1862 with the late United States Sen
alOr j. N. DOlph, enduring until 1873
When Mr.. Mitchell was elected to the
United States senate. A Democratic leg
lstatufe IN 1879 failed to return him to
tne senate. He engaged in the practice
OF law in Portland until 1885 Wher he
was reelected to be United States SEN
4tor at special session of the legis-
iatu1e that body having failed to
cno0se a senator either in 1881 or 1882
ne failed to be returned in 1897 and
4oHoWed MS profession, in partnership
Win Judge A. II. Tanner until 1901
"heh Inc legislature again chose him
as one of the states representa- tives in
the United States senate
Lost His Influence.
IL was only when his connection with
conspiracy to defraud the govern
4leit o. ITS public domain was made
HlanlIest by his conviction in the fed
Gul COul !. tlial ne loSl the political in
Auehce which he had held for a greater
part OF half century. From his 70th
birthday, June % last. the day on which
ms guilt was decreed, Senator Mitch
Ell has rapidly declined. Not in recent
years nearly man a severe cold a
year ago followed bv the breaking of a
limb during the latter part of last sum
mer mental strain and 1-----,sliatfon ran
IDLY sapped his vitality until he was in
poor condition physically. which was
added to by the blood poison that fre-
diabetes.
Senator Mitchell's wife is in Paris
Where sne mas spent a large part Of her