The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-19
DEAD IN A DOORWAY.
A Prominent Chicago Journalists
Sad End.
Ee Was en- Tour of the World for the Inter.
Ocean and tie Words Fair, but Will
Return in His Ceffin.

William j. Cunning. correspondent OF
the Chicago Inter Ocean, left his home on
the Sth inst. to make trip around the world
for his paper But he will return in his
coffin. His remains lay upon slab in the
Morgue all yesterday.
At an early hour yesterday morning a
milkman stumbled over mans body in
the dark hallway of Belden Block, 1877
Montgomery street. Though to all appear
ances dead, the mans face and hands were
warm, and it was thought he was still alive
A physician was summoned by the police
officers. who had been notified by the finder
of the stout. well-dressed and handsome old
gentleman lying upon the door mat.
This is case for the Coroner" said the
doctor, arising from the dead mans side.
The police searched the deceased's pockets
and found the following self-explanatory
letter:
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
To Wlt0Dl it may concern: The bearer, w. j.
cunning, starts 1or "Trip around the world.
During his journey he will act as special CORE.
spondent Tor the Inter- Ocean, and as such We
recommend him TO our friends wherever he may
be- Any kindness or courtesy shown him as our
representative will be duly appreciated by him
and by the undersigned. Very respectfully.
WILLIAM PENN NIXON,
Editor and General Manager.
Chicago Dec 8, 1890.
Mr.. Cummings overcoat was found at the
top of the stairs, and it was at first believed
he had broken his neck by falling TO the
street hallway. In pocket was key to a
room in the Russ House. Evidently he had
gone Into the place mistaking it for the
hotel, and when near the first floor was
overcome by an attack Of apopleXy and fell
downstairs.
A VICTIM OF APoPLEXY.
An autopsy was made by Police Surgeon
X. L. Williams at the Morgue. The cause
OF death was given as apoplexy. Deceased
weighed $50 pounds, as indicated by an
electric weighing machine register taken
from his notebook, and was 60 years of
age.
The deceased was well supplied with
Money. In purse suspended from his
neck beneath his clothing were two e2GO
Bank of England notes and a diamond pin
worth about $3.50. He also had other
EDgilsh notes and American money in his
pockets. A receipt from the Chicago Safe
Deposit Company showed that he had paid
lor oox IN the vaults for a year in ad-
vance.
Probably Cunning was waiting in this
city for steamer bound to China to pro-
coed on his trip. Late in the evening
telegram from Chicago was received by
local undertaken, with instructions to en-
Chicago In appropriate style.
Newspaper clippings in papers taken from
Cunning clO.hes showed that he had fad
for collecting idols Of all sorts, ancient and
modern totenas, fetishes, kobongs, ETC., of
all countries. From Arizona he had brought
The sacred turtle rattle of the Zuni indians.
California furnished little brown goddess
of the sky, a medicine bag and some fetishes
OF the Sioux. Curious objects of worship
from the South Sea Islands and South Amer
lea ended the collection. Mr.. Cunning laid
before the Worlds Fair Commissioners the
project of exhibiting these idols in 1893, and
he said he was willing to expend $4,000
more in the purchase Of objects of heather
worship. The SUNDAY CALL of Noyem-
Der 30th contained two-column illustrated
article, in which some of the most notable
objects Of his collection were reproduced.
Among them were a Central American god,
"a select quartet, representing African,
Burmese. Persian and Polynesian gods; an
Alaskan specimen, divinity of Burmah,
one from the South Sea Islands, and still an
other Buddha Of Japan. The article was de-
scriptiye OF many other objects in his collec-
ton, and now that death has closed his
labors will be read with more than ordinary
interest by those who have fortunately pre-
served their copies Of The CALL Of that
date.