The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1908-09-26
THE LATE ROBERT NJ. MITCHELL.

Robert M. Mitchell, who was one o
the best known and most highly re
lspected Afro-Americans in Chicago
passed away from this earth, at hi
home. 1888 Dearborn street, last Fri
day evening at IL O'Clock, after 1
long spell Of sickness.
Mr.. Mitchell was born of slave par.
ents In Florence, Alabama, August
10. 1857, and while he was nothing
but q mere boy, at the time a part OF
the Northern army marched through
that section Of the South, Captain
Alexander Smith, of the Seventh iii.
nois Regiment, now Of Jacksonville
H., became favorably impressed with
Robert NJ. Mitchell, the little slave
boy, who had visited his camp, at
Florence, and when Captain Smith
started North with his Regiment he
brought that bright little slsve boy
with him, through all the trials and
hardships of a great military cam
paign, and he became the mascot"
Of the Seventh Regiment, and a gen.
eral fav0Tite Of all its officers and
men, towards the end Of the war,
Captain Smith, with his little slave
boy landed In Columbus, Ohio, where
for some years he lived in the family
Of John Short, one OF the wealthiest
and most prominent men of that city:
he was treated as one Of the family,
was given the same kind and the
same amount OF schooling received
by its other members, and treated in
every way as the pet Of the family.
And be it said to the everlasting
credit Of Robert NJ. Mitchell, he al
ways felt ve-y thankful TO each and
every member of the Short family for
the deep interest they took in him at
the time he greatly needed kind
friends to gently take him by the
hand and lead him forward, and when
the writer visited Columbus, Ohio, in
the spring Of 1906. Robert NJ. Nit
chell, gave as a letter Of introduction
to Mr.. John Short, who with his
family reside IN an elegant home on
East Broad street
In 1872. Robert M. Mitchell, then a
STRIPPING young man, came to Chicago
to carve out q name for himself
which he finally succeeded in doing
after many struggles and hardships.
shortly after arriving in this city he
secured employment at the Palmer
House and he was perfectly willing to
turn his hand to any kind of work in
order to make an honest living. In
time he became steward Of the III
inois Club, and while serving in that
position he was able to save a little
money and to cultivate the friendship
OF many prominent men who were able
to push him to the front along poll
tical lines.
April 18th. 1873, Mr.. Mitchell. be-
came united in marriage to Miss
Amanda Coleman, and Immediately
thereafter q brighter day begin to
dawn upon him. for Mrs. Mitchell, |
proved herself to be an ideal wife
md q splendid helpmate, at the very
Tine they hand-in-hand embarked on
lies journey, and shortly after their
wedding Mr.. Mitchell was appointed
% position In the County Record
rs once. which he held until after
he election OF Maj. Brockway, and
rom that time on ne became prom
nent IN Republican politics, in 1882
le was selected as deputy clerk Of
he Criminal Court. serving as such
or seven years, IN 1884. his name
Tas presented to the Republican
tate convention for Auditor Of State. =
In 1887, he was selected as chief
lEk at the Harrison street Police '
tation. and he was one Of the best 8
I'D most systematic police clerks in {
hIeago, while serving as such, he /
Istituted several reforms which have :
ever been discarded by the various I
sads Of the Police Department Z
At the time lEr. Mitchell was d
iosen clerk It the Harrison street .
lstion. By mayor Roche. although he
- : icxnl Republican. he could not {
"a one wealthy white Republican o
b w0uld aIgn hIs any thousand q