Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-10-23
TIE DYING coMREsSIoW-
OF
CHARLES CUNNINGHAM.

4
september, 1905, for The murder of Jo-
sEeH RorHRocK, taken from his o7ou
mouth, ms Particular desire, IL, she ire
sfnre u s&s high Sheriff Of the county, a
Jew days 6eforcliis crecntfon.
ngiveno clear account of my parent
age found myself in the poor house at
neileair, in Hartford county, state of Mary
, land, when was about years OF age I
remained there, as have since been in
formed, about year; was taken from
Inc Poor-house, by Samuel Collins, and
brought into Hopeweil township, Yorke
county, and bound by the overseers of The
poor, to lillian Collins, the elder, who
acted, a good part towards me, iii his
DEATH which happened about years AFTER
wards. then fell into hands Of EY;iGans
coAi'is, the Younger, with whom lived
III the month of October, 1898, when,
with the consent of my master, enlisted
with Capt. Andrew Johnson, of the 10Th
regiment--the reason was, because nv
master and were tired Of each other. /
was lazy and idle, got often chastised, and
frequently ran away. While / was in
Sol1'iss family, had good example set
before me, and such care as taken OF nv
morals, as prevented me from swearing,
stealing, and such crimes as were punish.
able by the laws. As scon as got into
the army, the impressions made in early
HE, began 10 wear of, and following The
bent OF my own incIna;ions. and The ey.
ample OF the soldiery, corsing, swearing,
Ehg, ard stealing, soop became familiar
TO me All reverence for God, and his
laws, forsook me, and ibecorne 10 a erea,
degree proiaae and wicked. | was sbsut
10 months IN she army. When The reei-
ment was disbanded, I wAs sold by nv
master William Collins, TO, John Eicbef-
berger, InnSeeper, in the borough OF York,
Tor years. While was in the 10th repi-
men', was kept 10 my duty, and nothing
material happened 10 M except that /
was once tried by csur,-mar,iaI, and san
tened 70 receive Is lashes, which was ~
h,cted on me. This hal no efIeei. flf.
60 : ysars and 4 haif wi,h Mr.. Eicheiber-
ger, where aas plentifuiiy supplied with
every thins, and therefore had no temp,a.
ton 10 steal. During this time, had no
work to do, and found time enough "a
associate with bad company, particularly
with MIR. Dinkle's Isaac, who is now in The
cells. We frequently went through tn.
streets at nights eyerthrowing carriages,
water vessels, stoves, &c. Once in part;-
coiar, in the fall OF SOL, went in com.
Psny with Isaac one night to MIR. Roth
rocks, and he thrsw down some stoves,
which we're set up befsre the door; after
mat we vent to the commons, back OF
kothrock's lot, and then Isaac endeavored
10 persuade me to join him to get some
nfs, burn several stacks of grain, stand.
ing IN field next the commons, and be-
longing to Herman Updegrsif, as under.
s'scd. refused, and endcavored to dis
snade isaac, by saying that il was wrong
70 destroy property that way and, if We
did any more mischief, il ought 10 be such
as would no, be 40 Injurious to property.
Isaac reluctantly gave over the design; but
confess it was mol owing to any goodness
~ me, but to Gods providence, that 10.
degrahs property was saved from destruc-
lion that night. have mentioned this
not to do Isaac any harm, but 70 case my
conscience, and 10 warn the inhabitants Of
York; IN case Isaac should again come a.
mong them.
also went one night in company with
boy, called Amor Simcox, TO Mr.. Sbul,z,,
rope walk, aud cut considerable ouahti,y
oil unfinished work to pieces, and threw
1t into the creek. We Frequently stole
outlines, and the fish that were On the
hooks. AZ this time, kept the worst
company, particularly black Isaac & Sim.
cox. They continually encouraged me in
wickedness, TO which was naturally
prone. They advised me 10 steal, TO ron
away, and TO practice every evil.
When had served Mr.. Eichelbh,oer
Two years and a half it was pat into INV
head, that he had no right to keen me.
and ran away. The first DAYS, lurked
about York, slept in barnes and lived On
itu't' then went towards Hanover, and
was near being taken up for runaway.
DOT got OIL by swearing * lying. Iwent
ON to Baltimore, and thence towards Ere
deric.lown, and was employed ON The
road, BY Jacob Grove, as hos,ler for :
month. then went into Virginia. and
lourneylng from place to place, I came At
last 20 alexandria, ard then to the city Of
" ashing,on, where got in the employ Of
frederick Bates, to drive cart, and re.
ma ned about 10 days. then went