Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-07

l7'|1|'"
by his regular physician. Or. Ramon
D. Garcln, but by Drs. Bryant, George
Bon Johnston. and W. W. Parker, who
were called In as consulting physicians
His death-bed, when the end came. was,
surrounded by members Of his family and
close friends.
Captain Cunningham was in the 18th
year of his age. and his entire life had
been spent IN Virginia. lie had lived in
Richmond for the past thirty years, was
the father Of Bichmond's popular city
Taxi Collector, and had been for twenty
seven years connected as superintendent
with the improvement Of the James river.
carried on by the city.
HE WAS 4 PURE MAN.
Captain Cunningham was a pure man.
He was a deyout, patient. eyer-faithful
Christian. He had long been a member
Of the Leigh Street Baptist church. and.
though not man Of means had done
In his lifetime a. much real charity,
considering his circumstances, as any one
ia this community. He was honorod, all
mircd, even loved. by all who knew him
well Nothing was 50 Characteristic of
him as the very words he used 10 his
eldest son just before he crossed the
great river, when he said: MY son, |
do not leave you princely heritage,
but never in my life have ! been UNI
faithful to a trust or betrayed a friend"
As the eray-haired father thus address
l. fa. Ig oil &C. nd nd f.rf
"a il in a manner which showed how
proud he was that he could leave to his
children not wealth, or anything save
name "a stainless as the undriVen snow.
Captain Cunningham leaves eight sons
AMI daughters lie was the father OF
thirteen children. five Of whom are dead.
His wife who was Miss Virginia Colbert,
passed away some ten years ago. The
sons and daughters who survive him are
Mrs. Joseph Gin. superintendent Of the
Male Orphan Asylum: Mrs. William Ira
hcrl. CAPTAIN Frank w. Cunningham.
Mrs William r. Farrell Mr.. Judson
Cunnmgham Mrs j. +. Talbot. Captain
Thomas g. Cunningham. who has been
associated with him for twenty-five years
I'm his work upon James river, and Miss
Lummie Cunningham.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
CAPTAIN Thomas Cunningham. Sr. WAS
born i'm Hampton. Va. September q. 1919,
and there be resided until the outbreak
az tho war in lsG At the age of il 1-2
years b. was apprcnticed on pilot
boat Of the Virginia Pilots Association.
and served six years ana u half. i,arn-
ing the business. after which time h. re-
ceivcd his certificate and beam a rcGu-
larry licensed pilot. In this capacity lie
won great reputation for skin and c1ur-
age. and was Cnt.riete1 with mary COM
mis- cons Of an uuu>Iaiy respOnsibc cha
racter lie was fayor.te Win i1o oil
GERS Of the ravy-yard at Norfolk, and
was several times entrusted by them
with the duty Of bringing In or taking
out ships Of war.
At the close Of tho Mexican var he
| bravely plotted into Hampton Roads a
transport bearing a number OF our soldiers
retur1dng from their victories in Mexico,
ana among whom the yellow-fever had
appeared This disease he contracted. and
was III with it for some time.
I'pon the secession Of Virginia Captain
Cunningham loyalty offered his services
TO the Commonwealth. our ports being
now blockaded by the enemy's fleet, there
was, Of course Tothing for him 10 do IN
the way OF plotting ships In and out OF
the Roads. and he was made master Of
~
in the service Of the Quartermaster De
partment of the Confederate Government.
and which was at first employed In col
lecting supplies on the James river and
afterwards In use as "A fag-of-truce boat
for the exchange OF prisoners Of war.
His pilot-boat Captain Cunningham
brought up 20 Richmond with him, ana IT
and other sailing vessels the Confederate
authorities sunk in James river at Grave
yard Reach for the purpose OF obstruct-
ing the river so as 10 prevent the APP
ur1ach Of the enCmy's vessels 10 Ken
mond. Years %vards Captain Gun
nhgham, in his capa'ity OF Superintend-
ert of the Jamea-Riyer Improvement,
/ had TO remove these distractions.
Captain Cunningham remained in COM
nand of the Towncs until the evacuation
/ cf the city Of Richmond by the Confede-
rates when his steamer fell into the
! hands Of the enemy. who. however te-
/ taired him in command till they sold her.
/ After the sale Of the Towncs the Captain
returned 10 the work Of plotting vessels
| On James river. but was subsequently
made pilots agent Of Richmond. lie WAS
/ holding this latter position when. IN 1876,
/ he was made superintendtnt Of the work
or improving James river, and placed in
command OF the steam-tug v. i. Craig
| hill.
HIS WORK on THE RIVER.
Thousands and tens OF thousands Of
dollars were expended on James river
under the Captains supervision, and it
is 10 his credit that with all the Earring
! and contention that inevitably follow the
administration Of affairs Of great public
enterprises OF this character no man was
ever found 10 breathe a suspicion that a
! dollar Of this money was misapplied. lie
was a faithful and good officer. He knew
James river as no man living knows il.
| Ills knowledge was gained. not only in
sailing upon it's bosom. but in soundings
| and minute examination of maps. As a
| pilot he never had an accident. lie was a
| navigator OF uncommon sagacity and pru-
dence He was faithful TO every trust
lIis disposition was amiable and he was
never without n word of cheer for dis
couraged or sorrowful people. Thousands
| OF our people who have been on his boats
on excursions down James river will tes-
tify TO his unfailing good nature, his
eagerness TO see others happy, his unset
FISH disposition. and his devotion 10 his
duty.
The residence Of Captain Cunningham
was for hfteen years past at Sll7 east
Main street Libby HID, and on two sides
| his windows opened upon James river.
which IL in plain view for several miles
When not actually on the river the de-
ceased was genarally on his porch or
at window watching the movements of
the boats Next To his family the river
seemed to be the dearest object OF his
affection From the Capes TO Richmond
he knew its landmarks. Its meanders.
its channels. Shoals. and eddies. and he
had stored In memory a vast fund OF
folklore respecting the families who
a IA Ia 10
disd " ssht Of the river. IN thu b0aom Of