The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-09
MIR. rCUNN1NGHAM's MARRIAGE.
He Had No Motion of Death when 1t
Took Place. '3@@ Ky :.

He Had No Notion of Death when 1t
+ -, Took Place. '3@1 Ky -
The death sef-+John Cunningham: the
co1ored man who died at the city hes
pital Friday, brings to- light a romance
surrounding. his last hours. Realizing
that his end was near, Cunningham. be-
fore he wents|te the hospital, called to-
his bedside. Anna Walker, a handsome
mHaatto woman, who for several years
had been known. as his Common law wife
and the two were Quietly married. AFTER
the ceremony those who. were about Cum
nigham say he appeared brighter than
during bis weeks of sickness His last
words at the hospital before he passed
away were Of his wife i
What prompted the marriage Is q topic
of general discussion, with many explain
atoms among those who knew Cunning
ham Thomas Jefferson, the colored sa-
loonkeeper at 3S4 Minnesota street, for
whom Cunningham was manager says
he knew nothing of the marriage until
after it was over, and was surprised to
learn of the step Cunningham had taken.
Cunningham carried $500 life insurance,
not 5000, as was stated In an evening
paper. The Walker woman, now Mrs.
Cunningham, is the beneficiary under the
policy. Speaking of her marriage Mrs.
Cunningham said last evening:
"Mr. Cunningham and 1 expected to be
married last fall, but the ceremony was
put off pending the arrival here of my
mother. We always intended 10 be mar
ried, and after he was taken i'll Mr.. Gun
ningham often spoke of the matter.
Wednesday morning, when 1t was decid-
ed to send him to the hospital, was
called from the room where 1 was asleep,
after nursing him all night, and informed
by him that he desired the marriage to
take place before he went to the hos
pital. 1 had no idea that he was going
tr. die nor do 1 think he had, for he
talked of plans for the future. After a
while the justice of the peace came. Mr..
Cunningham sat up in bed, answering the
questions asked in a perfectly rational
manner and we were married.
1.-The statement in an evening paper
that his life was insured for $4,000 is in
correct. The amount was $500. OF this
sum more than half has already been
expended in funeral expenses. The talk
of a contest over the insurance money is
foolish, in view of the small amount.
The question of the insurance money had
nothing to do with the marriage. Some
other business interests Of Mr. Cunning
hams, however. may be affected.
The marriage took place Wednesday
morning, at Cunningham home 800 MIN
nesota street The ceremony was per-
formed by Justice Of the Peace Johnson.
Attorney John E. Hearn procured the
license 1t is said, at Cunninghams re-
quest Thursday Cunningham was taken
to the hospital, where he died Friday
morning Cunningham has brother,
whose whereabouts are at present I'M
known.
Arrangements have been completed for
the funeral, which will take place this
afternoon at 2 o'clock from St, James
M E. church Miss Rubie Brown,
Who Is seeking to comfort Mrs. Cunning
ham In her affection, is looking after
the arrangements. The pallbearers have
been secured, and 1t is expected that the
funeral will be a solemnly imposing
event, for which neither pains nor money
have been spared by Miss Brown, acting
under Mrs Cunningham direction.