Evening star., 1918-07-07
FALL FROM PLANE
KILLS MAI. mitchell
Safety Belt Intended to Hold
Him in Seat Found
Unfastened.
HoNoRs TO HIS MEMORY
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LAKE CHARLES, La, July 6.-An
examination of the wrecked airplane
from which Maj. John Purroy Mitchell,
former mayor of New York and an
officer in the Aviation Section of the
Signal Corps, fell to his death at
revealed that the safety belt was un-
fastened at the time of the accident.
causing Maj. Mitchell to fall when the
plane went into a nose dive at a
height Of about 500 feet. Maj. Kirby.
commanding officer at the field. de-
clined tonight to speculate as to why
the belt was unfastened. 1t is a rule.
selves in the plane with the belt be-
fore ascending. The investigation has
not been completed, Maj. Kirby
stated.
Maj. Mitchell. in excellent spirits.
went out to the field early this morn
ing with his instructor. Lieut.. John
officers were discussing politics up
until the time the former mayor took
the air. The instructor remained on
the ground to observe the students
climbing operations. When about 600
feet up Maj. Mitchell fell from his seat
and his body struck almost at the
feet Of Lieut.. McCaffery. The body.
which landed head first and was badly
mangled, was left at the field until
tonight, when 1t was brought here.
The airplane. single-seater. scout
machine, went skimming on without
3 pilot for half a mile and then fell
500 feet, completely demolished.
MIS-. Mitchell Informed Of Death.
As soon as he was Informed of the
accident, Maj. Luckie. senior medical
officer at the field. with two ladies'
went to Mrs. Mitchell and informed
her of the death of her husband. She
received the news calmly and asked
to be allowed to remain alone. She
trip to New York unaccompanied.
The body was shipped from here
tonight and Is due to arrive in New
York early Tuesday morning.
Maj. and Mrs. Mitchell came from
ane san Diego me GAL Mtebei to SerSnss ntsaaes ae6
perfect himself in pursuit work while
at the Louisiana field. He was re-
garded among the officers and cadets
as a daring and skillful pilot. His
death caused deep regret in Lake
Charles as well as at the camp. Busi-
HSsS "no pTdSliSdi1S SoopeuuSo uui
ing the day.
The former mayor was invited to
deliver the Fourth OF July grafton at
the Lake Charles celebration, but de-
clined because Of War Department or
ders. He also was invited to Baton
Rouge to address the people of the
state capital on June 28. Thrift Stamp
day. but declined for the same rea-
SON Maj. and MIS-. Mitchell made their
residence at the aviation camp.
Subject to Sudden Headaches.
NEW YORK, July s.-Friends of the
former mayor. speculating as to the
cause of his fall from the airplane, re-
called that he was subject to sudden
headaches. At times when affected in
this way while in public office here he
was accustomed to isolate himself in
a darkened room. The pain was said
to be severe. Maj. Mitchell was stricken
headaches were regarded as recurrent
effects of that illness.
The nags Of the city have been half
masted by order of Mayor Hylan, who
announced that steps would be taken
by the city Ito pay every respect to
the late mayor"
THE news Of his death is a great
personal shock to me-" he said. my
sincere sympathies go out to Mrs.
Mitchell in her bereavement. He came
Of q fighting stock that did not fear
to die. differed with him as to the
manner Of administering public affairs,
but I certainly admired his fighting
qualities.