One writer claims that "within the next few years, this man, with his hair growing low on his high forehead, his dark, brooding eyes, and his sensitive mouth -- the physiognomy of the poet or priest -- was to take the miners, 'the shock troops of American labor,' to the acknowledged leadership of all the union world. His name was to be spoken with those of the great of the land and his people were to worship him as few leaders have ever been worshiped in our history."
Mitchell, from Braidwood, Illinois, was the son of a coal miner and went into the mines at the age of 11 as a helper for his stepfather. He joined the Knights of Labor in 1885, when he was 15. During that time, Mitchell observed a memorable strike by the immigrant miners and took note of "their . . . careful planning and cautious consideration of every factor that might lead to success." As a result of that experience, Mitchell entered each battle well prepared. He knew what miners paid for powder and oil, and he was aware of the huge gap between what miners were paid for a ton of coal and what consumers paid for the same ton of coal.
Everyone liked Mitchell, His allies included great men of the time as well as the rank-and-file miners. They put his picture up on the wall, beside pictures of their saints. Mitchell stood "not quite midway between Wall Street and the mines," and he had the respect of both. Mitchell believed that labor was a commodity that could be traded "like gold, or wheat, or coal," and the union's success depended largely upon its control of the output of coal. Mitchell also believed that contracts with labor organizations had to be built upon trust and honor, and he worked toward that end.
However, the miners came to believe that Mitchell was conciliatory toward the coal operators. Opposition within the union grew, and his popularity with the coal miners waned. Vice-president Thomas L. Lewis, who was critical of Mitchell's policy, accused Mitchell of corruption in office and criticized his personal life, as well. Mitchell was deeply hurt; he became ill and resigned in 1907. However, at the 1908 convention, when he delivered his last report, the miners organized an emotional farewell and showered him with gifts and loving cups. Mitchell went to work for the National Civic Federation, "with a roving commission to look into labor matters."
