Henry M. Mitchell
Mitchell became the 13th sheriff following his election in 1877. Mitchell
earned his credentials while serving as a deputy under previous administrations.
As one of Sheriff Rowland's deputies, he had participated in the capture of
Tiburcio Vasquez. Due to his valuable service in that administration, Sheriff
Alexander, appointed Mitchell undersheriff following his election.
Henry Milnor Mitchell was born in Richmond, Virginia on December 14, 1846.
While still attending Virginia Military Institute, the Civil War erupted and
Mitchell served as a member of the Cadet Corp in the Confederate Army.
Prior to his election as sheriff, Mitchell had seen considerable public service. In
addition to serving as a deputy and undersheriff, he had filled the positions of
public administrator and notary public. He had also served as assistant adjutant
general and chief of staff under General John M. Baldwin, who commanded the
First Brigade of the California National Guard.
When Mitchell took office in 1878 the era of tranquility seemed to be the new
way of life in the county and continued throughout both of his terms. Los
Angeles County was beginning to settle down to a regular and permanent stride
in development and population increase. The county's population was fast
approaching the 30,000 mark.
Society was assuming a more civilized aspect and criminal activities were on
the decrease. However, there was one remaining former member of the Vasquez
gang who was reportedly seen in the vicinity of Los Angeles. Mitchell wasted no
time tracking down the outlaw.
Sheriff Mitchell could easily recall the rampaging exploits of Tiburcio Vasquez
and his cohorts. When told that Miguel Sotello, a final elusive remnant of the
once-feared gang, was spending time at a drinking spot in Verdugo Canyon, he
couldn't miss the opportunity to lance this final boil in the county's side.
With a deputy named Adolf Celis and a Superior Court bench warrant,
Michell set out for the canyon. While approaching the drinking place they
spotted Sotello at the door of the building. As Mitchell and Celis spurred their
horses, Sotello mounted his and fled.
Sotello, closely pursued by the lawmen, fired back at them. Mitchell and Celis
returned fire as the pursuit wove through the
canyon. After two miles of hard riding Sotello
fell from his horse mortally wounded. He
would die in the morning and with him the
last vexing reminder of the violence that had
been part of his era.
Henry Mitchell's undersheriff was James
C. Kays. Nine years later, when Kays was
elected sheriff, he appointed Mitchell to serve
as undersheriff in the Kays administration.
Mitchell was killed in a hunting accident.
This tragic incident occurred near the place
where, 15 years earlier, Deputy Sheriff Mitchell
had assisted in the arrest of the outlaw
Vasquez.
