The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-09-10
JOHN MITCHELL
SUCCUMBS To
AN OPERATION
Well known Labor Leader Died
Yesterday
WAS EFFICIENT OFFICIAL
Former President of United Mine
Workers Underwent Operation
II II Days Ago

New York, Sept 9.-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 o'clock this
afternoon at the postgraduate hospi-
tai, Mr. Mitchell was 40 Years old.
Although he underwent an operation
10 days ago for the removal of gall
stones, his condition had been report
ed as entirely satisfactory and his
death was wholly unexpected by his
friends. as he had been i'll only a few
days before he was taken to the hos
pital.
With Mr.. Mitchell when he died were
his wife, son and daughter. Gov.
Smith, who had called to inquire about
his condition, arrived only few min
dtes before he had 'breathed his last
Since 1915. Mr. Mitchell had been
chairman Of the New York state indus
trial commission. He also served as
chairman OF the state food commits.
sion; chairman of the federal food
board; president CT the United States
council of farms and markets and as
q member of the federal milk com
mission for the eastern state. While
his office was in New York, his home
was in Mount Vernon.
Mr. Mitchell was born in Braidwocd
Ill, February A, 1870, son of Robert
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
ON intaraut n, lohrr prph1amc au1
deep sympathy for workers in the coal
mines.
4 Feeling that some time he would be-
come champion Of the laboring mans
cause. he began the study of law. but
soon gave it up to perfect his kncwl-
edge OF economics and labor questions.
In 1885 while Still employed in the
mines, he joined the knights of labor.
subsequently travelling extensively
through the Yves. in the combined in
terest of mining developments and
labor In 1891 he married Katherine
O'Rouke OF Spring Va. .ey, Ill, and,
shortly after this was appointed sec
retary of the united mine workers of
organization in 1899 and serving with
outout interruption until 1908.
i, He relinquished this Office to accept
an appointment as chairman Of the
trade agreement department of the
J., u.lai ciyic federation, serving in
this office until 1911, when he decided
to expound the cause Of labor from
tne ~ .ure platform which occupied
hiq a tentions until 1913.
His afflliation with the American
federation of labor began in 1898 with
an appointment as fourth vice-presi-
dent IF the national body He be-
came second vice-president in 1900
and continued in this office until 1914
He was invited to become mem
ber of the New York state industrial
commission in 1916 and was chairman
of the commission at his death, Dur
ing the war his activities were CEN
tered in work connected with the state
food commission, of which he was ap
pointed presid mt.
During his I apunns life as labor
leader and organizer, Mr.. Mitchell
found time to write numerous books
on the subject nearest his heart.
Among his works were Organized la
Dor, its purpose and ideals" and "The
Woo ncrrer and his problems"
Mr.. Mitchell Is survived by his
widow, daughter, Katherine, and
threN sons.