The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-09-17
NOT DEAD BUT ALIVE.
The strange Story Of n Young Man who
was Supposed tD be Buried.

me Strna9c story o. a Young MnH who
was Supposed tD be Buried.
+" Do look like q corpse ?" The ques.
ton issuing from the lips of healthy look.
ing, handsome young man. apparently not
yet thirty years of ago, implied that the
propounder of the intorrogatory was crazy.
MIR. Harry Abbott. the assistant of Mr.. w.
b. Kniskern, ticket agent of the Louisville
and Nashville railroad here, with whom the
young man was in conversation, naturally
eyed him suspiciously but noticing that the
man was perfectly cool, his glance of alarm
rapidly changed 10 one of inquiry Tho
stranger appeared to be in communicative
mood, and Abbott, as much to reassure the
young man as to arrive at q solution of the
conrndrum propounded, replied with one
Of his most insinuating smiles, mo, indeed
you don't" We'll, I've been dead md
buried year." continued the young man,
land now 1 want ticket for Montreal.
Canada. Although corpse, want to
travel fast and get to the home left years
ago; so l want to get off on your first train
tomorrow morning"
This conversation occurred last Saturday
evening, and after Abbott had supplied him
with ticket with long string of coupons
attached, and had booked the young man fora
berth on the through sleeper, he entered
into conversation with him, and elected a
strange and romantic story.
Several years ago young man named
Cunningham, q native of Canada, whose
parents resided in Montreal, determined to
set out to see the world, like many others,
having become tired of the monotony OF
homo. He had acquired the art of tele.
graphy, and was very fair operator, and
with this stock in trade on hand he left the
home OF his parents, full of youthful vim,
expectations and hope for the future. The
United states offered fine field for his
youthful ambition and he soon obtained n
situation. From point to point he made
his way to the great West, and some five
years ago reached California. Having tired
somewhat of his wanderings, and secured q
good position he settled down and remained,
1t is believed, in San Francisco. He cor.
responded regularly with his parents, and
he had their replies addressed to the hotel
where he resided. About year ago he
again became restless and concluded to con.
tinuo his tour of the country. Without
writing to his parents to notify them OF his
intention, he no sooner conceived the idea
OF travelling than he carried it out, and that
same evening left for Texas. The night of
his departure the hotel was DESTROYED by
fire and several persons persisted in the
flames Cunningham was supposed to be
one of the victims, and his parents were
notified to that effect In compliance will
their request the ruins were searched, and
finally the supposed body of Cunningham
was found. The grief stricken parents tele-
graphed on to have the charred and unrec-
ognizable remains sent on to Montreal,
Canada, for interment, which order was
obeyed. Upon arriving at Montreal hearso
was in waiting to carry the body and the fami-
ly went into mourning for their loved son and
brothT, Cunningham, doubtless, not hay.
ing u IN cognizant of the destruction of the
h''tel, or, If he was informed, not paying
any attention TO the report, neglected tt
write to his parents after that night, and
soon afterward secured u position as train
dispatcher on tho Missouri Pacific Railroad
at Denison, Texas. He retained his posi-
ton there until last week, never having,
during that time, heard word from his
family, nor they from the one they mourned
as dead and buried.
About two weeks ago Cunningham secur-
cd q leave of absence and determined TO
visit New Orleans. arriving here last Friday
morning. His life had been insured, md,
company, who have branch Office here, no
went there and introduced himself To his
CONSERVATION he then learned that he had
been dead year, having persisted in the
fire of the California Hotel. or course he
denied that emphatically, and inquired,
after further particulars, when the story
came out.
Cunningham at once proceeded to the
Western Union telegraph Office and wired to
his father the fact that he was still alive and
that his supposed corpse was that Of some
one else. Last Saturday morning reply
came that ho was believed to be an impos.
tor. Send me your mothers maiden
name" said the telegram. Cunningham,
anxious TO establish his identity, complied.
Another reply came proof not satisfac.
tory. You will have TO come on here TO set
tie tho mntter," and then Cunningham rea-
lized that he would have to comply in order
TO remove the impression on the minds OF
his parents that he was dead
As soon as the fact became apparent he
proceeded TO tho Louisville and Nashville
ticket Office to purchase ticket, when the
conversation ensued which appears above.
Abbott was deeply interested In the young
mans remarkable story, and on Sunday
morning babe him God speed and safe
arrival home. Cunningham loft on the $3.50
morning train and will reach his homo
about Tuesday night. Who can portray the
feelings Of the father and mother whom he
once moro embraces thom2 Convinced that
he had persisted, mourning him as one lost
to them ON earth forever, following his re-
mains to the grave and weeping at his un.
timely and horrible fate, whit must be their
Joy to find that he Is still alive and WE'LL
Neso ORLEANS Plcayune
CHAINED FOR THIRTY YEARS.
4. To-, f,lc AZ nd NH