Mitchell Newspaper Articles
MADISON LEVEE BREAKS
Floods American Bottom
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 28, 1883
At 8 o’clock this morning, news was received by telephone from
Mitchell that the Madison levee had given way in two places, and the
people were warned to fly to the bluffs and hills for protection.
This break will cause almost incalculable damage, as the Madison
levee was all that preserved the entire Bottom below Mitchell from
overflow. This district thus flooded embraces thousands of acres of
valuable farms covered with growing crops. Hundreds of men have been
at work night and day, toiling with desperation in the effort to
stay the progress of the waters, but all in vain. The levee broke,
and the workmen were compelled to fly to save their lives. The
opinion is freely expressed that the break in the Madison levee will
cause an entire change in the current of the river at the point it
occurred.
The railways through the flooded district, the Chicago & Alton and
the Indianapolis & St. Louis, and the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy,
may find it necessary to stop their trains between this place and
St. Louis, and will probably transfer passengers and freight to the
packets at this point.
Passengers on the Eagle report that one house was left standing on a
knoll near the main channel of the river, not far from the break in
the levee. The family were in the house, apparently engaged in their
usual avocations, while as far as the eye could reach in every
direction was a vast body of water. One man in the same section was
busily engaged in digging potatoes on the brink of the flood. As
fast as he secured his crop, the earth caved into the current and
disappeared. Bayless Island, opposite Alton, is almost entirely
under water. Mrs. Bayless’s residence is partially submerged, but
the “Hotel Loomis” on the south shore of the island is still on dry
ground.
HOTEL AND STORE IN MITCHELL DESTROYED BY FIRE
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 12, 1893
The hotel and general merchandise store at Mitchell took fire and
burned down last night. The hotel and store was owned by Mr. Charles
Lexow. The loss is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $10,000.
MITCHELL BAPTIST CHURCH DEDICATED
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 09, 1899
The dedication services of the Baptist Church at Mitchell were held
Sunday. There was a basket picnic after the formal dedication in the
morning. The church is a modern structure, built and donated by John
J. Mitchell, the well-known railroad man of St. Louis, who is also
the owner of Mitchell Station. Mr. Mitchell and his family attended
the services. Rev. James Osborn of Upper Alton, the Associational
Missionary, was appointed to the charge and preached there Sunday
evening. The principal service at the dedication was held in the
morning. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. A. A.
Kendrick. The entire congregation then adjourned to a large tent on
the church grounds, where the basket dinner was spread. Afterwards
services were again held in the church. The principal speaker was
the Rev. L. A. Abbott. Mrs. C. B. Rohland attended the dedication
services of the new Baptist Church, going with the Mitchell party
and returning to St. Louis with them for dinner. She also presided
at the organ.