The sun., 1918-07-13
mitchell DIED POOR
BUT FOR INSURANCE
Total Estate Is Less. Than
$4,000. With Policy for
S144,0 900.
SALARIES WERE SMALL
Life Devoted to Public Gave
No Opportunity to Gain
Wealth.
SALARIES WERE SMALL

Major John Purroy Mitchell died a
poor man except for his insurance. His
| whole estate exclusive of n life insur-
ance policy which he took out recently
will not amount to $4,000 It was said
,, yesterday by one who had been among
| his closest friends.
Years ago as a beneficiary of the will
OF his uncle Henry y. t-urroy, at -one
time a prominent figure in the councils
of Tammany Hall and subsequently an
| active opponent OF that institution,
Major Mitchell received real estate In the
Fordham section of New York city, but
, of late years this property earned
! scarcely enough to carry ii.
Although his life after he was grad
uated from Columbia University In 1899
was devoted almost entirely to pubic
| service II was not until he attained the
Mayoralty that his income preached an
impressive figure. Previously. as AS
! sistant Corporation Counsel, as Commits
| sioner of Accounts and as President OF
the Board of Aldermen. he received
small salaries. His salary as Collector
OF the Port. an office which he held for
n fen months previous to his nomination
in 1913 for Mayor. paid $4,000 year.
His salary as Mayor was $l5.0OO. but
| against this income was the necessity
OF maintaining the dignity OF the posi-
ton.
Lived in Modest Apartment.
Major Mitchel's home for years was in
! the Peter Stuyvesant apartments at RiN-
erside Drive and Ninety-eighth street.
! where he and Mrs. Mitchell occupied an
| apartment of eight rooms, living mod
| estly.
When Major Mitchell received his COM
mission In the aviation branch OF the
| Signal Service. his thoughts turned TO
| the hazards Of that service, THE SUN
was informed last night by one thor
oughly informed He realized that in
the event of death in service he would
not leave enough TO his widow to sup
port her In comfort. For that reason.
and also because OF the advice of friends.
he took out a policy in the Travellers
Insurance Company Of Hartford. Conn.
! for $4,000.
His will, 1t is said, makes all neces-
sary provision for Mrs. John Purroy
| Mitchell and for his mother, Mrs. James
Mitchell. The executors are George V.
Mulan. now a Justice OF the Supreme
Court. and formerly law partner. and
Mrs John Purroy Mitchell. Justice Null
Ian and Mrs. Mitchell will offer the will
| for probate early next week.
Mother Proud of Him.
Both mother and wife have borne up
! remarkably under the shock OF Major
Mitchel's death and thestrying days that
| followed. II was said last night at Mrs.
| James Mitchel's home. The mother, in
| deed. expressed pride as well as grief.
! saying:
Il am glad that John took up his fight
| for preparedness. | am Glad that he
had the courage to fight against those
who opposed him In IT, am proud that
he had the courage to go into the most
| dangerous branch OF the service. | know
, that he died bravely. and as his mother
| must try 10 live that way"
At the conclusion OF its regular SEES
sion yesterday the Board OF Estimate
! adopted the following resolutions:
THE Board of Estimate and Appor-
| tionment Of the city Of New York here
| with registers its profound sorrow and
regret on the death of Major John Pur-
roy Mitchell, recently Mayor of the city
and chairman OF the board.
I'm the history OF the city no man
has given TO us more intelligent service
| BY study and training he acquired n
| mastery of the complex problems Of
! ingly of his time and interest TO public
| service and bringing TO that service
keenness OF. vision that won for him at
the hands OF the citizens Of New York
membership OF eight wears in this
| board. four wears ri which were served
| as its presiding officer.
Loss TO city and Nation.
Rv his death in the service of his
| country and In the cause OF humanity
not only the city but the nation loses
one whose courage. determination and
valor would III be spared. Re II there
| fore
| Resolved. That In the behalf OF the
city OF New York and as an expression
OF the sentiment Of its people this board
herewith expresses to. Major Mitchels
widow and mother its heartfelt sympat thy
with them In the terrible loss they have
| suffered"
| Hundreds Of persons visited Major
| Mitchel's grave In Woodlawn Cemetery
yesterday, and many Of the visitors
brought flowers, which were added to the
pile OF blossoms already there.
WAS NOT BUCKLED IN.