Guest Post by Matthew G. Sadowski
December 29, 1879, in Nice, France, William l. Mitchell was born into
the wealthy and powerful railroad, banking and political Mitchell family of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Willie was raised on the sprawling John L. Mitchell and
Harriet Danforth Becker Mitchell 240 acre estate of Meadowmere; an eastern portion
of the current City of West Allis with the former family home now being part of
the Mitchell Manor Senior Living Community.
Willie enjoyed the freedom that such a large estate
could afford an energetic and inquisitive young boy of a family with immense
wealth and privilege. Among his many interests, Willie occupied his time with
activities such as hunting, fishing, raising chickens and horses and collecting
bird specimens. Willie took these interests with him when, in the winter of
1890, after testing into the second form, Willie’s formal education began at
the then-prestigious Racine College in Racine, Wisconsin. In addition to having
respectable grades and usually perfect school conduct, Willie had an insatiable
appetite for learning, exploring, fun and games, and like other classmates, a
little bit of mischief.
Willie attended Racine College from January 1890 to
June of 1895. During free times in barracks like dormitories, Willie was prolific
at writing letters mainly to his mother, but later also to his father, then a
US Representative and Senator. In his letters he reported on his many
interests, activities, observations, and desires. Many of his activities were ordinary,
but some were extraordinary. While at
Racine College Willie sang for a U.S. president, had discussions with a Civil War
general, and walked with a captain of industry.
Willie could be very demanding in his letters, and
very detail oriented, two traits he would carry into his highly decorated yet
controversial career in the U.S. Army. However, in communicating with his
mother and father Willie would always close his letters, no matter how
demanding or frantic, using the words “love,” “respectfully,” or “truly”. It is
unclear if such warmth was always conveyed in his written military salutations.
TWITTER HANDLE
As he grew older Willie came to be referred to as
Billy, thus the Twitter handle being used for this reenactment will be
WillieBillyM.
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