New-York tribune., 1918-07-07
Ex.Mayor Plunges 500
Feet at Gerstner
Field Near Lake
Charles, La.
Wife Near at Time
Of the Accident
Body Will Be Brought
Here for Burial, Arriv-
ing in City Tues
day Morning
{ Special Dispatch to The TyIbune)


LAKE CHARLES, La, July 6.-Major
John Purroy Mitchell, former Mayor of
New York City and an officer in the
aviation section, was killed instantly
to-day when he fell 500 feet from a
single-seater scout plane.
An examination of the wrecked ma
chine revealed that the safety belt was
unfastened at the time of the accident,
causing Major Mitchell to fall when the
plane went into nose dive. No de-
tailed official version of the accident
has been disclosed.
Major Mitchell had been in the air
about half an hour when he fell, at
sos a. m. Gerstner Field, where the
accident occurred, is fifteen miles from
Lake Charles. Major Mitchell was fly
ing beyond the boundaries of the field
and only few men witnessed the ac-
cident. After search the body was
found in tall marsh grass one-half mile
south of the field.
After Major Mitchel's fall the plane
had crashed to the ground some dis
tance away Other airmen said the
fact that the machine was only 500
feet in the air indicated he had been
about to effect landing.
Widow Bears Shock Well
Mrs. Mitchell was at Gerstner Field.
but did not witness the accident. Major
Luckie, of the Medical Department., and
two women acquaintances of Mrs.
Mitchell broke the news to her. She
bore the shock with fortitude. When
Major Luckie said he had bad news to
tell her Mrs Mitchell said:
Tell it-tell it all. am prepared
and can bear it,
Asked whether the news bearers
could perform any service for her, Mrs.
Mitchell asked to be left alone for a
time.
Later she said she preferred to ac-
company the body alone to New York.
According to present plans, Mrs.
Mitchell, with the body, will reach New
Orleans early Sunday and arrive in
New York Tuesday morning at 1913
O'clock.
Major Mitchell went into the army
service with previous military train
ing, having taken the course at
plattsburg while he was Mayor Upon
Joining the aviation service he was
sent to San Diego, Cal. where, after
successfully passing through the cadet
training, he became full-fedged f1ier.
uro i L
ing shown unusual daring.
With Mrs. Mitchell he arrived June 10
at Gerstner Field from San Diego.
shortly afterward he began training
Tor the pursuit of enemy machines,
chasing scout plane. He was reach
ing the finishing stages of training
necessary for service at the war front.
Jokes With Instructor
Major Mitchell and his instructor,
Lieutenant John McCaffery, went out
on the grounds early this morning, and
We're laughing and talking about New
ork City politics. Lieutenant Nc
Iaffery jokingly remarked he was sorry
'ast election, and Major Mitchell, as he
piled:
That's all right; it's all over now"
One of the mechanicians had said q
lew days ago:
1T makes my hair stand on end to
see Major Mitchell fly; he takes so
of it." ''''"''s
r, Major Mitchell recently told a Lake
1.harles banker he had chosen the
aviation Section of the service because
ne believed he could advance more
rapidly than in any other department.
My one wish" he said, "is to get
over to the Western front where I can
20 some work that will count"
MAJOR and Mrs. Mitchell had been
..;eclplents OF many social attentions
s'nce arriving in Lake Charles.
major Mitchell was so devoted to his
uuties, however, he found little time to
psrtlcipate in the social or civic affairs
vi VI the town. He declined numerous in
s.'s,.ns s.tations to make addresses, his onlv
pso,lc ~ appearance being at luncheon
VI the Rotary Club.
/; me accident is the only one of its
Field. ''' o0'ui'oo a' uerstner
MRS. Mitchell received hundreds Of
."essages of sympathy from prominent
Continual o12 9,0ne e;ob+