Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1878 — Why Senator Mitchell Changed His Name. [ARTICLE]

Why Senator Mitchell Changed His Name.

I saw seated on a sofa in tho Senate chamber the other day two men, whose presence in Washington is a coincidence if nothing more. These two men were Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, and Representative Thompson, of Pennsylvania. These men were law partners in Butler, Pa., in 1860. Mitchell had studied law with Thompson, and subsequently became his partner, under the firm name of Thompson & Hippie. The young firm was going on admirably in business, but Hippie’s domestic relations were of the most unhappy nature. Everybody sympathized with Hippie, and, as Thompson said to me recently, nobody would have blamed him if be had announced to the public that he oould not live with her any longer, and left town. At that time Thompson was in the Pennsylvania Legislature. During a visit to Butler, iu either 1860 or 1861, Hippie told him he was going to Pittsburgh for a day or two. Hippie thereupon paoked up a few things and departed, taking with him about $2,000 belonging to the firm. Nothing was heard of him for several days, and Thompson began to grow uneasy. Hippie’s, wife was also becoming troublesome. Finally, after several days’ anxiety, a letter came to Thompson from Hippie, dated from “ The Wide World,” in winch he said he could not live with his wife, and had gone away forever. He secured Thompson by mortgage, etc., but Thompson for many years did not know where his old partner was, but Hippie managed by sending letters to be remailed from various parts of the country to settle every account he owed and to forward money to Thompson for the support of his wife. After many years had passed the two partners met by accident in Pittsburgh, the old friendship was renewed and the warmest feelings have existed ever since. Now both of them are in Congress. What became of tho old wife I do not know. A divorce was obtained, and Hippie married again on tlie Pacific coast. After leaving Pennsylvania, in 1860, Hippie changed liis name from John Mitchell Hippie to John Hippie Mitchell, and by that name he has been known ever since. His present wife is a very charming lady, and he has two of the handsomest daughters in Washington. No man stands higher among his associates, and no Senator is more faithful to his duties.— H. J. Ramsdell, in Philadelphia Times.