Obituary – George Washington Mitchell
Two Killed On Highways; One Left By Hit-Run Killer
Green Countian Is Victim of Auto Nearl Laurel; Was On Surprise Visit
A Green countian, in Anderson on a surprise Christmas visit with relatives, was killed by a hit-run driver on the new Oliver Springs highway near the Virgle Raines home.
George Mitchell, 78, died after he was struck by the vehicle about 9:15 p. m. He was near his destination and just stopped at the Roy Buttler home to inquire his way to the home of his brother, Ora Mitchell.
Both legs were broken, his hip was broken and his skull was fractured. He lived for two hours after the accident, but never regained consciousness.
The injured man was found by his neice, Mrs. Herman Mitchell, who was walking along the road when she spied the body, Mrs. Mitchell called her husband, who identified his uncle, who it was later found had arrived by bus only a short while before he was hit.
Dr. Fred O. Stone of Oliver Springs and his nurse were called, but he could not save the man. Holley’s ambulance came to take him to the hospital, but Mr. Mitchell died before he could be moved.
Deputies Patterson and Frank Bailey were notified, but the call to the sheriff’s office was not made for several hours and Deputy Patterson said no trace of the hit-run driver could be found.
Mr. Mitchell is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Haney; son, Walter Mitchell; sister Mrs. James Moncier; brothers, Frank of Jellico; Ora of Clinton Rt. 3; and Pettybone of Oliver Springs.
The body was returned to Greeneville Friday for funeral services there. Holley Funeral Home was in charge.
Clinton Courier-Dec 25, 1947
[Submitted by Troy Mitchell]