Page 258 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

The Story of the C.W.S.

build is veritably on the " wholesale " scale. His word is law at the meetings,
and there is no possible way of cornering him. "Wliere a chairman on the retail
scale would hesitate and be lost, Mr. Mitchell is adainantine. He is superin-
tendent of a Sunday School at Rochdale, and one feels that the Saturday's
work at Manchester is very congenial to the superintendent. He descends on
the gong like a pile-driver when the flock is restless; when nothing else will
avail he breaks oS an awkward discussion with a witticism, and you find,
when the explosion of laughter has died away, that the superintendent is
placidly pursuing the next lesson.
His last appearance at a Quarterly Meeting Avas at Manchester, on
Saturday, March 9th, 1895; and Mr. Maxwell tells us that:—
On Sunday, March 10th, he proceeded to London to preside over two im-
portant meetings of representatives from the English and Scottish ^Vholesal©
Societies; the meetings were to be held on the 11th and 12th. On arrival at
his hotel in London it was seen that the long journey had increased Ms weak-
ness, and his cough became verj' troublesome. His colleagues did everything
possible for their fallen chief. He was prevailed upon to rest on Monday, but
he was much disappointed at not being able to attend the meeting.
On Tuesday morning the various committees had assembled in Leman Street
Hall, and when about to begin business Mr. Mitchell entered the room and
tottered to his accustomed place. No amount of persuasion could induce him
to remain absent from this meeting. Death was written largely on every line
of that genial face. In a feeble and mechanical way he got through his last
meeting on earth. Feelings of reverence, love, and pity were recognisable on
every one of his devoted comrades. They beheld the rare sight of a man dying
at his post. The vote of thanks that day to the chairman was full of pathos
and heart-stirring words that cling to many of us yet. His good-bye that day
sent a new sensation through us; we felt poorer, we felt a void had been created
that could not be filled in our time. His last co-operative meeting was over.
Ivindly hands bore him back to his beloved Rochdale, where, after lingering
only four days, his great loving spirit passed away.
The weather of February, 1895, as it Avill be remembered, was
the most severe in livmg memory; its rigours seemed to mark the
culmination of two or three hard winters experienced previously.
Travelling, even first-class travelling, was not then the luxury it is
now; and, unspared and unrested, a powerful frame proved unequal
to the constant strain. The funeral took place on March 20th. Only
to John Bright has Rochdale ever done greater honour. You
may still hear it said, " Eh ! that was a funeral ! " The park-like
Rochdale burial ground is almost a mile west of the town. Toward
the western side of the cemetery there is an undulation commanding
from its summit a view wholly characteristic of Lancashire. North-
ward one looks upon green hills that swell into high moorlands,
eastward along the vaUey of the Roach to Rochdale, its chimneys
and its Town Hall; south and west over the open fields and the
202