Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-03-27

written letter from this place and
wishing to keep up our friendly cor
respondencc / again give you some
items of news. The first and most
interesting that we have to chroni-
Gle is the death of some of our old
est and most esteemed citizens.
VIM. III. Cunningham has been call
ed hence to be seen here no more.
He was one of our oldest and most
useful men. For many years he
pursued the honest and useful mill
right trade. There is hardlya mill of
any kind, from corn choppng
mill to the highest grade of a mer-
chant mill that Billy Cunningham,
as he was Familiarity called, has not
had something to do with, for many
miles around. He started in life as
an apprentice to VIM. Holiday.
Very poor, on account ofhis fathers
misfortunes in finances, his family
were thrown entirely upon their own
resources. William being the oldest,
always kept strict watch over the
yonns "a mem bers efhis fathers fnmi.
w, bringing up all his brothers to
the millright trade, who now in ripe
years, bear respectable places in So
ciety. A few years ago he became
the victim Of misplaced confidence,
and lost considerable money, which
it is thought affected his health to
the last hours of his life. In many
respects, Billy Cunningham was an
extraordinary man, and it is thought
that had he had the advantages of an
early education would have ranked
high as a mathematical scholar. His
recollection of dates was the most
remarkable known here, and he kept
perfect chronicle as to day and
date, in his mind, of many impor
tant events occurring throughout the
country. His attachment to friends
was of the strongest kind and we
may truly say that he had an honest
heart and was an honest man. He
was consistent member Of the M.
e. Church, South. His remains were
inferred in the old Payne Chapel
Cemetery on Sunday last, and were
followed to their last resting place by
large concourse Of Borrowing rela-
tives and friends.
Another one of our old and es-
teemed citizens has passed away in
the person Of Thomas G. Bryarly,
whose remains were deposited in
Green Hill Cemetery, Martinsburg.
For long time Mr.. Bryarly has
been known as one of natures noble
men-kind, affable, honest and clev.
err, ever watching over the interest
and welfare Of his family. A short
time ago his estimable and aged
partner in life Was called home to
her Father, since which time he
seemed disconsolate and much be-
reaved.
A short time since we had BUSH
ness relation with our old friend
VIM. Swimly, one of our former
countymen, favorably known here
by every one, and who at present,
resides in the burned factory dis
trict, Frederick Co, Va. We found
our friend as jovial and hospitable as
always. He became the purchaser
of the old and far famed Colbert pro-
perty and is living in much comfort
and very independent and happy,
with his numerous family around
him.
The many public sales advertised
from time to time, haye taken place
in this community. Property did
not bring prices parallel with prices
a year ago, but everything consider
ed, the prices of farmers stock were
fair. These sales retrograde in our
business interests. Men becoming
discouraged in some instances with
| their business enterprises, sell out