Biographical/historical information

Samuel H. Mitchell in 1929 was among the first group of North Carolina State Highway Patrolmen. Initial training was held at Camp Glenn, near Morehead City. Mitchell was later stationed in various towns around North Carolina, including Durham, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and finally, Greenville. Mitchell rose through the Highway Patrol ranks until he attained, in 1950, the position of captain.

Scope and arrangement

Photographs comprise the bulk of this collection. Many of the photos accurately depict the early State Highway Patrol (1929-1940), illustrating early uniforms, equipment, and motorcycles.

This is especially true of the group of photos taken of the patrolmen in each of the original nine highway patrol districts on their 1929 post-graduation tour through North Carolina. Other photographs- apparently taken during the tour-illustrate their arrival in Raleigh, where they met with Governor O. Max Gardner. Miscellaneous photographs include an autographed picture of Governor R. Gregg Cherry, a picture of post-World War I soldiers- possibly including Mr. Mitchell- of the Citizen's Military Training Camp at Anderson, Alabama, and a picture of Governor W. Kerr Scott during an inspection of the Patrol. The oversize file contains a view of unidentified servicemen.

Newspaper clippings deal primarily with events in the thirty-seven year career of Captain Mitchell. Also included in the collection are Mitchell's certificates of appointment as a member of the Patrol (1929); promotion to the ranks of sergeant (1931), lieutenant (1949), and captain (1950); and retirement (1966).

Correspondence concerns the dedication of a new Highway Patrol building near Elizabeth City in Captain Mitchell's honor (1963), Sergeant Mitchell's twenty years of "meritorious service" (1949), and his retirement (1967). One letter concerning the dedication of the building is from Congressman Herbert C. Bonner.

Printed material includes Institute of Government publications dealing with the Highway Patrol. Of particular note is a 1930 "State Highway Patrol Guide" which contains North Carolina traffic regulations of the period, maps and general information on North Carolina towns, and interesting vehicle-related advertisements. A proclamation of W. Kerr Scott (1952) dubbs Mitchell a "Country Squire." (Oversize file.)

Administrative information

Custodial History

September 4, 1979, 90 items; Photographs, correspondence, clippings, and publications concerning the North Carolina Highway Patrol (1929-1965). Gift of Capt. Samuel H. Mitchell, Greenville, N.C.

February 2, 1984 (Unprocessed addition 1), 3 items; a History of the N.C. Highway Patrol, a pamphlet, and a clipping. donor: Capt. Samuel H. Mitchell

Source of acquisition

Gift of Capt. Samuel H. Mitchell

Processing information

Processed by I. Berent, October 1980

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration

Key terms

Personal Names

Gardner, Oliver Max, 1882-1947
Mitchell, Samuel H.
Scott, William Kerr, 1896-1958

Corporate Names

North Carolina. State Highway Patrol

Topical

Police vehicles--North Carolina--Photographs
Police--Equipment and supplies--Photographs
Traffic police--North Carolina

Container list