The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-09-10
THE MYSTERIOUS MITCHELL
CASE

6OuuC SAu4S ago MI w. H. mitchell,
one of the most prominent and best
beloved men of Townsville, Ca,
was arrested. charged with an at
tempt to abduct a Miss Lucille Linton,
beautiful and accomplished young
woman of that city.
The evidence disclosed the fact that
Mitchell had sent a wire to Miss Lin
ton from nearby station to which
was signed her brothers name. The
message stated that he had been hurt
in a runaway accident, and wanted
her TO come to him He sent a We
hicle for her and said that she could
trust herself with the driver.
1t is alleged that Mitchell was the
driver of the vehicle, and had dis
guised himself as a negress.
In the progress of the drive Miss
Linton became suspicious, as she was
satisfied that she was not on the right
road to the little station.
She finally heard an approaching
vehicle, and made an cutlery, and the
occupant came to her assistance and
rescued her. In the confusion which
followed the driver escaped.
1t was in evidence that Mitchell had
a country place nearby, and in a
search which followed, the gown and
bonnet the disguised negro woman
wore were found hanging on a nail
near the bottom of well on the place
and it was discovered that the house
had been wired with electric warning
bells.
While sitting in a chair at his home
some time afterwards Mitchell was
shot from ambush, and was badly
wounded in the foot.
Mitchell claimed that the whole
thing was a plot to ruin him. Public
sentiment was and is still divided.
Mitchell up to that time had been a
man of irreproachable character. He
was popular in the community. He
was marriei and had grown children.
He was a model husband, and in his
troubles his wife stood Loyalty by him.
Mitchell was convicted and after
hard fought battle in the courts to re-
verse the jury's decision he lost out.
and the pardoning board and govern
or refused to interfere, and he is COM
PEELED to serve his sentence on the
chain gang and in stripes.
Here are the comments of the
Enterprise on the last
chapter Of this most mysterious case:
Judge Not
Circumstantial evidence wove its
web around that one of Thomasville's
best loved citizens so completely that |
Wednesday, sick, possibly unto death, |
he was taken by the sheriff and incar- |
cerated in the Thomas county Jail. |
Attended by his physician and a score
Of loyal friends and relatives, carried i
in agony or a pallet. the iron doors
Of the Jail clangec behind him,
him with the name of the
awless.
Circumstantial evidenced Only cir
evidence.
The history of the world is filled
with cases where the web of circum-
stantial evidence has sent to the fell
)n's cell, aye even to the gallows, not
Dne but many whose names were af-
cleared by the truth as it
ardily reached the ears of justice.
Who shall say that this close-woven
web shall not in Gods good time be
brushed away, and this man. beloved
If his friends, and the heart and cen
er OF his loyal family and his rela-
ives. with his good name restored
lgain take his place in the affairs of
men, which he has always held prior
o this hour
Shall the example of that devoted ]
rife pass Unnoticed? Is there anyone
Who knows the mans inmost
hOughts. his desires and his weak
lesses as she knew them? Would 2 ;
,ure woman, of the best blood i'm the {
outh, cling to man in the degrade
ion of lustfUlly destroying another .
'ure woman? 1t is impossible! And.
o his friends. to those who knew him
attitude of that wife is {
efutatiOn enough of the circumstan-
ial evidence Of which he is the vic
i'm.
Judge not, Wait until time shall
now whether or not the verdict. T
Which carried him TO shame. was cor
ect. The truth will be known some
ay. Until that day. those who know 1
i'm best will wait imDatipntIv for his {