Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-10

diagnosed the case. to be meningitis and
effuslon. During Tuesday the sufferings
Of Dr. Cunningham were intense. That
| evening he lost all consciousness, and
never again was he I'm his right mind.
He fingered thus until yesterday morning
when there were apparently more favor
able symptoms, which gave some en-
couragement to the physicians as well
as to the family. At the request Of Mrs
| Cunningham, DIR. George Ben. Johnston,
relative and friend OF DR.. Cunningham
was summoned from Richmond. Dr.
Johnston arrived here last night. and on
! seeing the patient quickly pronounced
| him beyond cure. and returned to Rich
mond this morning.
PARALYZED.
! At a late hour last night DIR. Cunning
| ham suffered a stroke OF paralysis, which
made il only matter Of time when there
would be dissolution. A few weeks ago
| DR.. Cunningham was called 10 LeXing-
| ton. Va, to attend the death-bed OF MS
! half-brother. Colonel Edward Dillon. The
| loss Of this brother, 10 whom he was
! greatly attached, seemed 10 make pro-
| found impression upon him, ard IS Thought
! perhaps 10 have been one OF the causes
Of his sudden illness, which ended SO
Unexpectedly and fatally.
To those who remember the condition
of the Normal School and the appearance
of the buildings when he took them IN
hand and compares them with their
present condition. 1t Is matter OF won
der that such progress has been made'
even by his matchless management. Vir-
! ginia will sincerely lament the loss of this
one of her distinguished sons. whose life
was devoted to the education OF her
daughters.
EXPRESSIONS OF REGRET.
DR. Richard McIlwaine, president OF
Hampden-Sidney College. said tonight
'"The faculty of Hampden-Sidney college
| deeply lament the death OF DR.. Cunning
him We regard his death as an irrepara-
ble loss TO the State of Virginia. His sue
cess in the conduct of the Normal has
been phenomenal, and the impression he
has made on the young ladies committed
10 mis- charge will prove lasting bless
| ing"
Governor Mckinney said: 1.-THE death
| Of DIR. Cunningham is q shock TO the
| State Female Normal School and sao
| loss TO female education in Virginia. IL
will be difficult to find another SO weli
rounded in all the essential Qualihcatlons
| TO take his place as president OF the instl-
| tuition. He was doing a work for the
| in Virginia, and the blow will fall
heaviest on that class which is the least
| able 10 bear IL. L have never known a
man more beloved of those around him
| and SO idolized by the young ladies' VINO
were under his charge. Nor have L ever
| known a teacher more devoted 10 his
work or one who was so untiring In his
| efforts for their Improvement and watcn-
| ful OF their every interest
The remains OF DR.. Cunningham VIII
he taken to Richmond Monday evening
and the interment will take place Tuesday
! in HOLLYWOOD, where rests the body OF his
| first wife.
Biographical.
John A. Cunningham was born In the
old Cunningham house Rlchmond' at
the corner Of Eighth and FRANKLIN
streets. about fifty years ago. He was
a son by a second wife. Of DR.. John
cunningham, distinguished physician
of that period. DIR. Frank ID. and Colo
mel Richard. Cunningham were his
brothers. Mr.. Cunningham's early educa-
! tion was obtained under the direction
of Professor r. II. L. T1ghe and other
excellent teachers of his day. While
S,iigent and ambitious as a student, he
cheerfully gave up his cherished plans.
enlisted in the Confederate army, and
I served his State faithfully throughout
the war. After the war his education
was resumed. and he entered the Uni
versity Of Virginia, from which In
stitution he graduated in the class
with senator John w. Daniel, A. IL.
| Boulware. Otho G. Keane, James Dun
Ion and other well-known Virginians.
Soon after graduating at the univer-
sitv Mr.. Cunningham accepted profess
sorship in the University OF the South,
| Tennessee, presided over by his old COM
mander. General Kirby Smith. He re-
mained in Tennessee for brief period,
and there married Miss Boyd (who died
some years ago., by whom ne mad one
child. Frank, who is now a promising
voure man. Returning TO Richmond,
MIR. Cunningham formed a co-partner-
shin with Mr.. Joseph N. Willis now
with the Owens & Minor Drug COM
panv). and the frm conducted the drug
| business at the corner OF Fourth and
| Franklin streets until Mr.. Cunningham
retired. to accept tho position of prin-
cipa, OF Madison School From this po-
sition, which he acceptab,y filed for
some years, he was called to the presi-
dercy of the State Female Normal
School, at Farmville. This institution was
| organized by DR.. w III. Ruftner in 1856.
AS soon as It was well established Or.
Runner resigned and Mr.. Cunningham,
I'm July. 1887, took up the work By sue
| cesslye elections he held the position
up to the day OF his death. His sound
scholarship. broad culture, excellent exe-
| cutive abilities, and native good sense
well fitted him TO carry on the great
work of training teachers for the pub
> lie schools, Graduates Of the State Nor.