R. D. ("UNCLE BOB") MITCHELL OBITUARY 1862-1945

TRAIN KILLS AGED HAVANA RESIDENT

   R. D. ("Uncle Bob") Mitchell, aged 83, of Havana, was killed when struck by a Rock Island freight train at the main crossing in Havana at 10 a.m. Saturday.

   While crossing the track, Mr. Mitchell, who was deaf, encountered a friend, Teem Kennedy, also of Havana, and waved to him.  Lawayne McBride, aged 16, who was walking a few yards behind Mr. Mitchell, assumed that the elderly man saw the oncoming train, as also did Mr. Kennedy.  When Mr. Mitchell continued across the track, the youth ran to stop him, but was an instant too late.  His body was carried about 75 feet by the train and was thrown to the gravel right-of-way.

   Mr. Mitchell was born in Cleburne county in 1862 and moved to Havana in 1900 to engage in the mercantile business.  He retired in 1920.

   Surviving are two sons, Robert, of Havana, and Jim, of Brinkley, and a daughter, Mrs. Louise Arnold of Louisville, Ky.