Mitchell - John M -Wabash - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

A student of Wabash College returned Monday from Chicago and reported that he had heard there that Jack Mitchell, of the class of 1898, had been accidentally killed at Beirut, Syria. A student in McCormick Seminary had received a letter from there merely stating that Mitchell had been found dead in his room with a bullet hole in his head, a revolver and its cleaning apparatus lying by his side. The report caused quite a stir in college circles, where Mitchell was very popular, and great regret was expressed, all hoping, however, that the rumor would prove unfounded. The Journal on being informed wired the leading newspaper at Charleston, the Plaindealer, asking for the truth of the rumor and details of the tragedy, if the rumor should be true. The following reply was received: Charleston, Ill., Nov. 7—“A letter was received here yesterday afternoon from John W. Nicely, of Beirut, Syria, stating that John M. Mitchell, who left this city a year ago last August for three years’ teaching in the Syrian Protestant College, was dead. Death came to him Friday, Oct. 13, as the result of the accidental discharge of a pistol which he was cleaning in his room. His funeral took place on the 14th from the college chapel and he was buried in the American cemetery in Beirut. The American consul took charge of his effects, which will be sent to his parents in this city. They are almost prostrated with grief at the loss of their son, the eldest of four boys and one of Charleston’s most talented young men. Memorial services will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Presbyterian Church in this city. Mr. Mitchell was thirty one years old.”