Norwich bulletin., 1919-09-10
DEATH OF JOHN MITCHELL WIDELY KNOWN LABOR LEADER

New York. Sept. s.-John Mitchell former president of the United Mine
 Workers of America and one of the most widely known labor leaders in the United States, died at five o'clock this afternoon at the Post Graduate Hospital.
 Mir Mitchell was only 49 years old Although he underwent an operation ten days ago for the removal of gall stones his condition had been reported as entirely satisfactory and his death was wholly unexpected by friends as he had been ill only a few days before he was taken to the hospital.
 With MT. Mitchell when he died were his wife. his son and daughter Governor Smith, who had called to ln- quire about his condition, arrived only a few minutes after he had breather his last It was said by his physi- clans that while there had been every reason to expect his recovery, Mr. Mitchell had failed to rally from the effects of the operation.
 Since 1915 Mir. Mitchell had been chairman of the New York state in dustrial commission. He also served as president of the state food com mission, chairman of the federal food board, president of the New York and as a member of the Federal Milk Commi ssion for the eastern states. While his office was in New York his home was in Mount Vernon.
 NIT. MltCneII was DOTH m bId1hNOou, H., February 1, 1870. the son of Rob- ert and Martha Mitchell.
 At the age of Il years he began work in the coal mines, obtaining his education by studying at night He soon developed an interest in labor problems and a deep sympathy for workers in the coal mines.
 Feeling that some time he would become a champion of the 1aborlng 2 mans cause. he began the study of hI1t knowledge of economies, and labor questions.
 In 1885, while still employed in the mines, he joined the Knights of La bor subsequently, travelling extensive ly through the west in the combined interest of mining developments and labor. In 1891 he married Katherine of Spring Valley. Ills, and shortly after this was appointed sec retary of the United Mine Workers of America, becoming president of this organizati tion in 1899 and serving without interruption until 1908.
 He relinquished this office to accept an appointment as chairman of the National Civic Federation, serving in this office until 1911, when he decided to expound the cause of labor rom the lecture platform. which occupied his attentions until 1913
 His affiliation with the American Federation of Labor began in 1898 with an appointment as fourth vice president of the national body. He became second vice president in 1900 aud continued in this office until 1914
 He was invited to become member of the New York state industrial commission in 1915, and was chair man of the commission at his death. the war his activities were in work connected with the State Food Commission, of which he was appointed president.
 During his strenuous life as la Dor organizer. Mir. Mitchell found time to write numerous books on the sub- ject nearest his heart. Among the works were "Organized Labor. Its Purpose and Ideals" and The Wage Farmer and His Problems.
 Mir. Mitchell is survived by his widow, a daughter, Katherine. and three sons. The burial will be in Scra nton, Pa.