November 3, 1934
THE STATE
Page Five
Elisha Mitchell:
A Great Explorer
DR. MITCHELL lost his life while trying to
scale the heights of Mount Mitchell. This lofty
peak in Western North Carolina was named in
his honor by the United States Geological Survey
in 1881.
By Ma}el Ivey Seay
hours of waiting, sus¬
picion turned to fear;
fear to alarm. When
he had not appeared
by Wednesday, swift¬
footed runners were
started across the val¬
ley, which was a dis¬
tance of at least 25
miles. On Friday they
rcturned without news.
At least 500 men then
poured into the val¬
ley, searching from
Friday until Tuesday
in the densely-clad
wilderness which con¬
tained dangerous pit-
falls. All efforts were
fruitless.
On Tuesday, when
all hope of finding
him alive had been
exhausted, Big Tom
Wilson, a guide and
hunter from Yancey
County who had guid¬
ed him on a former
trip started a search
over the route which
they had taken 13
years before.
IN a lonely, rock-hewn grave a-top
the lofty heights of Mount Mitch¬
ell, which rises 0,711 feet to the
clouds, lies the liody of Dr. Elisha
Mitchell whoso tragic and dramatic
death is unequalcd in the history of
North Carolina.
Though seventy-seven years have
passed since Dr. Mitchell lost his life
when he bravely and enthusiastically
ascended tho heights of Mount Mitchell
in the hope of discovering in North
Carolina the highest peak east of the
Rockies, the story of his untimely death
has not been forgotten and will be
retold for ages to come.
A Very Learned Man
Dr. Mitchell, who was a preeminent
teacher and explorer, came to the Uni¬
versity of North Carolina from Con¬
necticut in ISIS. From that time to
1825 he filled the chair of professor
of mathematics. From 1825 until his
death he was professor of chemistry,
mineralogy and geology. He was prob¬
ably the most learned man that lived
in tho state during that, period.
I’rofessor Mitchell made frequent
scientific excursions and when he died
he was known in practically every part
of North Carolina. He was familiar
with every mountain, valley, and va¬
riety of soil in the state. He also knew
all of the different kinds of beasts,
birds, fish, trees and «lowers, publish¬
ing many of his discoveries concern¬
ing North Carolina.
Held Many Offices
His learning, his quaint humor, his
geniality and his affection for his stu¬
dents made him a great favorite. Tie
was recognized as an intellectual giant
and his knowledge of geography was
wonderful. He loved to help others
and was extensively known and loved
hy the mountaineers. He was a reg-
ulur preacher in the college chapel and
village church, a farmer, a justice of
the peace, the college bursar, a magis¬
trate of police and a commissioner of
the village of Chapel Hill.
hi 1835, Dr. Mitchell climbed the
Appalachians and by barometric meas¬
urements determined that the Black
Mountain peaks in Western North
Carolina were higher than those of the
White Mountains in New Hampshire,
which were at that time supposed to
bo the highest east of the Rockies.
In 1S5I5 an argument rose between
Hon. T. I.. Clinghnm and Dr. Mitchell
as to whether lie had really been upon
the highest peak. During the sum¬
mer vacation of 1857, lie took the op¬
portunity of settling the controversy
by attempting to verify his former
measurements.
Starts on Trip
Charles Mitchell, his son, and a
daughter accompanied him. By noon
on Saturday, July 27 he had gone
about three-fourths of the distance.
When they had arrived at a point
about
«ПО
yards above tho Mountain
House, a rude inn built of fir logs, ho
dismissed them, sending them to a farm
house in tho valley and asking that
the son return on Monday morning,
lie left with the intention of descend¬
ing into the opposite valley of Cano
River. lie hoped to go hy the same
route that he had gone on a previous
trip in 1811, and to see tho guide who
had then accompanied him. Ho was
never again seen alive.
Extensive Search Made
On Monday morning, Charles Mitch¬
ell returned as his father had re¬
quested hut iie was not there. After
Fell From Precipice
On the edge of a little prairie near
the highest summit, human footsteps
were discovered. These wore followed
down a rugged trail to tho edge of a
stream. About four miles down this
stream, the senrehers came to n cataract
with a -Irt-foot drop. At tho bottom
of this drop, in a basin about 14 feet
wide and deep, was found the body,
the torn moss at the edge of tho cataract
and a broken laurel branch indicating
that he had lost his footing and plunged
down the precipice.
The body was wrapped in a sheet,
suspended from a pole and borne to
the top. Those in the party wished
that it lie buried where he hail met
his death hut the members of the fam¬
ily would not consent. Ilia body was
placed in a rude coffin aud taken to
Asheville for burial. The public was
so impressed with the manner and cir¬
cumstances of his death that, with the
( Continued on page twenty-six)