Typed Note Signed by MITCHEL, John Purroy (1879-1918)

"The Boy Mayor of New York," a rough-and-tumble reformer who was elected in 1914 at the astonishing age of 34, making him New York City's youngest ever mayor; he lost his bid for reelection, though, and joining the Air Service in 1918 he died just shy of his 39th birthday in a training accident over Louisiana -- apparently he forgot to fasten his seat belt and fell from his aircraft, plummeting 500 feet to his death. TNS, 1p, 5" X 8", New York, NY, 1914 June 16. Addressed to Charles T. White, New York City's tax commissioner (better known as a noted Abraham Lincoln scholar). Near fine. On City of New York / Office of the Mayor" letterhead, Mitchel simply notes, "Permit me to thank you for your kind note of congratulation." Cryptic but intriguing and worth further research. Huge bold full signature. A rather uncommon signature, given his early demise.