JOHN PURROY MITCHEL

John Purroy Mitchell, 1879–1918, was an abject failure as a mayor. He only lasted one term and almost had a popular revolution against him. He had no ability to connect with the average voter and cared little for any but the upper classes, many of whom lived on 5th Avenue. 1st Avenue in contrast was full of overcrowded slums and the poorest people in the city. His repugnance for common people was ironic because he was the grandson of the great Irish nationalist, John Mitchel, 1815-1874, Irish Journalist & Founder of United Irishman and Founder of The Irish Confederation. He was one of the great heroes of the common people who was jailed in Australia by the English. He escaped and came to New York City.

The lack of military preparedness of the United States for the First World War by then was evident and a major subject of political discussion. Mitchel was a “hawk” for his day. He was defeated the next year and joined the military flying service but died in 1918 when he forgot to fasten his seat belt in the airplane and fell from the plane to his death.

The lack of military preparedness of the United States for the First World War by then was evident and a major subject of political discussion. Mitchel was a “hawk” for his day. He was defeated the next year and joined the military flying service but died in 1918 when he forgot to fasten his seat belt in the airplane and fell from the plane to his death.