Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-02-13
THE MYSTERY
About Death Of lanes Cunningham May Soon
be Solved.

HANOVER, y. H., Feb. l2.-Facts have
come to light relative 10 the mysterious
death of James A. Cunningham of this
place, on the night of the 10Th of last
October, which confirm beyond reasonable
doubt the belief that he was the victim of
foul play
The body of Cunningham was found on
the railroad track just north of Olcoit
station early in the morning of oct. 81 by
a man who was walking from Norwich sta
ton to White River junction. This man
had boarded the Passumpsic train by mis-
take, intending 10 take the one over the
Central Vermont. and therefore got OF at
Norwich and found himself obliged 10 take
tins walk
Cunningham oyercoat was found in
pieces along the track. This coat has been
preserved and Oh careful examination
adds strong evidence in the case. On the
back OF the coat, Just below the right
shoulder is clean cut about two inches
long. The cut couli not he made more
perfectly with n sharp knife, aud gives
every indication of stab. both as to blood
and the character and position of the cut.
More careful examination of the place
where the body was found shows that the
bleeding was all in one piece. \ man who
was there the next morning said that the
blood spot covered an area as large as the
bottom of an ordinary size pan. and had
soaked into the sand nearly a foot. This
would have been impossible if the blow of
a train had been the cause of death.
On Thursday Deputy Sheriff Clarke of
Lebanon, and Sheriff Peck of Hartford.
with Il third man who is said to he lie
tective, called at the house of John D'Bfien,
who is suspected of knowing something
about the case. O'Brien's. mother said he
was not in. and sent them to the shoe shop
of Brogi K Co. Tie was not at Brogis and
they made up their minds that he was at
home They were informed second time
that he was ont, but forced their way in,
and, after being lodged from room to room,
found o Brien.
What o'Brien told them it is impossible
TO ascertain. They went away without ar
resting him. One of the officers stated that
they got some evidence in the chain they
were after. 1t is said that his testimony
implicated u certain man who left town
about two weeks ago
There is evidence that Cunningham was
lnred into trouble that night When he
left his sister at street corner he went to
ti' postbiHtt anu EUt Il IStteT re look
train for the junction, and in the pocket of
his tattered overcoat the next morning was
found an envelope addressed to him and
mailed at White River junction the day be-
fore. The question arises was that a decoy
letter calling him 70 meet his enemy.
Cunningham was seen on the train, and
he is said to have had some words with
man who was not known here.
The case has been greatly retarded by
tire fact that the two states seem to be i'm
plicatcd in the matter. However, an arrest
is expected every day.
Mr.. Cunningham was y years old. His
parents reside in Hanover. He graduated
from Dartmouth in the class of 50. and
played third base on the championship ball
team of that year. lie had been employed
for some time as a civil engineer by the
Canadian Pacific railroad
Willie. the 1-year-old son of Daniel
Mclaughlin OF Sonth birmingham, fell
from a horse Saturday and was 20 severely
IL, L -. 81, l.