The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-07
DEAD.
IN DIZZY FALL
FROM 1 PLANE
Former Mayor of New York
Dropped From Machine at
Height of About 600 Feet.
HAD BEEN IN AIR
ABOUT HALF HOUR
Death Occurred at Lake Charles,
Where He Had Joined
Army Aviation Corps.

Lake Charles, La, July s.-MajoT
General John Purroy Mitchell. former
| mayor of New York city and an Of
ficer in the aviation section Of the
signal corps, was instantly killed at
Gerstner Field today when he fell
from single scatter scout plane at a
height of 900 feet.
Major Kirby commanding officer
at the field in announcing that Major
Mitchell fell from the machine, Of
fered no explanation as to how the
accident might have occurred. It is
rule that all flyers be fastened in
the planes by a safety belt and
whether examination OF the wrecked,
machine indicated that Major Mitchell
had failed to do this or that the belt
became broken was not stated. Major
Mitchell had been in the air about half
an hour when he fell.
Major Mitchell accompanied by Mrs.
Mitchell, came to Lake Charles from
San Diego. Cal, about three weeks
ago and Mrs. Mitchell was at Gerstner
Field this morning, but did not wit
ness the accident. The body was
shipped tonight to New yorK.
BECAME FLlER AFTER
HIS MAYoRALTY DEFEAT
New York, July 6.-John Purroy
Mitchell. killed in an aviation accident
today, became a flyer for the army
after having been defeated last fall
for reelection as mayor Of New York.
executive OF the countrys biggest city
the youngest mayor ever elected to
that office. On July 1s next he
would have been SO years old.
: Major Mitchell vent into army SER
vice with previous military training,
having taken the course at Plattsburg
while he was mayor. Upon joining
the aviation corps he was transferred
to San Diego, Cal, where after sue
cessfully covering the cadet training,
he became a full fledged flyer. He
was frequently mentioned as having
shown unusual daring.
Military matters were somewhat Of
a hobby with Major Mitchell while
still in civil life, and during his may
orally, he placed the police Depart
ment on a military basis. He estab-
lished a military training corps for
policemen and organized an efficient
home defense guard when war was
declared with Germany. He was
credited with having brought the po-
lice department to high state of ef-
ficiency.
born descendant Oh q new L 1OIk
family of Irish lineage and which had
urged prominently in the history of
city. Mitchell took part in civic activi-
ties while still In his twenties. At
the age of 81. then a lawyer, he was
appointed a special counsel to the city
of New York to investigate city ac-
counts and the manner in which he
undertook this work. attracted the at
tention of Mayor Gaynor, who ap-
pointed him commissioner Of accounts.
He continued his investigation and
the revelations which resulted won
public credit for him and he was elect
ed at thirty, president OF the board of
aldermen. In this position he took
leading part in the subway investi-
CATION in this city, which was a fam
Gus controversy in it's time.
Upon the death of Mayor Gaynor,
before the end Of his term, Mitchell
became acting mayor, but resigned to
become collector Of the port Of New
York
Mitchell, running on a fusion anti