Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-06
Mitchell Killed
in AirpIdne Fall
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previously become acting mayor in
August. 1911. when his predecessor,
Mayor Gaynor. was shot on board a
steamship. while about to start on
vacation trip abroad. Mayor Mitchell
himself narrowly escaped an assassin's
bullet, when on April II. 1914. he was
shot at as he was leaving City Hall for
luncheon.
At that time Frank Polk, corporation
counsel, who was the Mayors con-
panion. and is son-in-law of Mr.. and
Mrs. James Potter, of this city, was
assailant an old man, and mentally un-
balanced was captured
4 sudden attack of appendicitis on
November 15 last, threatened the Mayors
levue Hospital proved successful.
Had Meteoric Rise
Prior to his election as mayor and it's
subsequent dramatic eventualities the
career of John Purroy Mitchell was rapid
and meteoric. even for natice New
Yorker. Born July 10. 1879, of Scotch
parentage. he received his early training
al Fordham College. After his gradua-
ton he entered Columbia Law School.
where he gained reputation as a debater
before he was out of his teens.
With his majority young Mitchell
launched into the civic affairs of New
York and at twenty-three years he was
found in office as assistant corporation
counsel OF tnat municipality. he was
at that time member of, the law firm
Of Mullan. Cobb & Mitchell His uncle
the late Henry D. Purroy the Tammany
boss OF, the Bronx; but had been an
nephew, from his graduation in 1899. be-
came an uncompromising enemy OF Tam
many and it's methods.
When John Redmond, then the Irish
leader in Parliament, toured this coun-
try. young Mitchell. at that time presi-
dent of the United Irish Land League of
New York County. toured the Safe ana
spoke from the same platform with Red
mond. This was natural in grandson
of John Mitchell, the Irish patriot.
Fearless Fighter
Young and active and a fearless
fighter" was the summary of Mitchell by
his friends soon after he set out upon
his political career. He was appointed
Ciellan in April, 1907, because Martin w
Littleton, counsel for former Borough
President Ahearn. protested against his
employment as special corporation coun-
to prosecute the investigation of his
clients official conduct Mr.. Mitchell had
previously been selected by Corporation
Counsel william B. Ellison for this work
Ahearn a sachem Of Tammany Hall
was regarded as all,powerful but
Mitchell by three months of unrelenting
inquiry compelled Ahearn's removal and
exposed an appalling public waste.
Borough President Haffen' in the
Bronx was next to fall under the young
attorneys prosecution. Confronted by
confusing witnesses Mitchell pursued his
difficult investigation before the Gov
ernor's commissioner, finally pressing
them successfully to Governor Hughes
himself
Mitchers official "housecleaning" and
! uprooting Of graft. waste and incom-
potency in public office, together with
his advice and encouragement furnished
the inspiration for new regime In the
Office OF the Commissioner OF Accounts
incidentally. II made him a member and
president of the Board of Alderman.
Holds Up Appropriations
In the board of estimate he prepared.
| with Comptroller Prendergast, a cor
porate stock budget. which showed the
city where IT stood on public expendi-
! lures, and he held up appropriations of
| public moneys until this conclusion was
| reached. Other innovations. aiming al
an Intelligent understanding at the city's
| financial position before committing II
70 any proposition owe their being to
! him.
| MT. Mitchell married Miss Olive