Bladen Mitchell came to Bandera county from Manassas, Virginia, in 1856, and located a ranch on the north side of the Medina river, at what was then known as the Ten Mile Crossing, later called Mitchell's Crossing, but now covered by the waters of the great Medina Lake. Mr. Mitchell had a large bunch of good horses, but the Indians made frequent raids and soon got them all, so he turned his attention to cattlc raising, associated in this undertaking with E. C. Lane, better known as "Stuttering Lane." Mr. Lane owned settler's stores at Camp Verde, Fort Mason, and Fort McKavett, and furnished the money to buy cattle. This partnership continued for a number of years.

Mr. Mitchell later moved to Bandera, and while living here he formed a partnership with Andrew Oliphant, a lawyer, and they embarked in the sheep business, leasing land in Kinney county, near Spofford Junction, on which to run their flocks. Oliphant moved to Eagle Pass and remained there. The sheep venture was not successful and Mr. Mitchell returned to Bandera and became deputy sheriff under Buck Hamilton, which place he held for a number of years, and when Sheriff Hamilton died Mr. Mitchell was appointed sheriff to fill out the unexpired term. At the time of Mr. Mitchell's death the following appeared in the Bandera Enterprise:

"Died at Utopia on the 20th day of April, 1890, Bladen Mitchell, in the 56th year of his age. Born in Virginia on what is now historic ground--the battlefield of Manassas. About 1854 he emigrated to Texas, and for the last 33 years he has resided almost continually in Bandera county, where he started a horse ranch about the year 1858, which was broken up by repeated raids of Indians who took from him in all about 400 head of good stock, the last raid being in 1869, when in one month they stole about 150 head. In 1867 he was desperately wounded with a poisoned arrow in a fight with Indians near the old Downs ranch, having gone thither in search of Dr. Downs to dress the broken leg of a friend, Chas. Scheidemontel.

Known by all the old settlers of the country and by nearly all the later arrivals, he was loved and cherished by all. His ranch was a home to which all were welcome, and he sped the parting guest with a Godspeed. Noted for his hospitality, his genial, kindly manner drew to him friends from all parts of the country, Reared in the Episcopal church, through life he remained a consistent member of that faith. Honest and upright in his character, gentle and kind in his manners, he was known only to be loved and he was loved best by those who knew him best. Aye, even in his last illness which was only troubled with the fear that he might become troublesome to his friends. Living, he was the true friend, the gentleman who could not be guilty of an ignoble act because his own conscience forbade it. 'Noblesse oblige' was to him, perhaps unconsciously, a rule of life. Dying, he has left no blot on his name, but a memory that will be loved and honored so long as those who knew him shall live, mid a character which they will emulate."