William Mitchell was born in December 1893, in Indian Territory (Present day Oklahoma).

His father, Abraham (b: 1865) was from Illinois and his mother, Maggie (b: 1874) was from Tennessee.

His early life remains a mystery, but it is known that he was a coal miner at some point before becoming Town Marshal in 1923.

Major crime during this period consisted primarily of burglaries to both home and business. On December 12, 1923 the Grange Mercantile Store was broken into after the front door was pried open. Clothing in boys sizes were taken, as well as a considerable amount of other merchandise including candy and cigarettes. The store posted a $100.00 reward for the capture of the culprits.

On December 20, 1923 burglars again struck. This time the Alexander Blacksmith Shop was the victim. Around $10.00 in tools were taken. These amounts may seem trivial in today's money, but when you consider that a 1923 Ford Touring Car cost $295.00, it puts the value of a 1923-dollar into perspective.

Things got so bad that the Town Council met that same month and considered radical changes of the Marshal's duties. A proposal was made to abolish the Marshal's Office and make him a night watchman instead. The town newspaper reported, "Some places are arranging to have an armed watchman sleep in their buildings, and a cold shower of lead would prove a wonderful argument at that"!

During Mitchell's tenure the Sunset Highway from Seattle to Preston was completed in October of 1923.  The road was graded and graveled, but wouldn't be asphalt paved until many years later. That same year the Department of Motor Vehicles required that all cars carry a receipt verifying that the vehicle's headlights had been tested and were in state compliance. It made no mention if any other safety inspection was required.

During the 1920's Scarlet Fever made an appearance in Issaquah and resulted in several families being quarantined to prevent it from it from spreading. Several youngsters died during this time.

Mitchell left office in 1924 and successfully ran for Town Mayor in 1937. He held that office until 1940. What he did after that is unknown, as is the date of his death or whom he was married to. The search continues.

See the Full List of Issaquah Marshals and Police Chiefs

Issaquah Law Enforcement History

Images in this article are courtesy of the Issaquah Police Department, unless otherwise noted.