Amador ledger., 1900-11-30
TOM cunningham DEATH
Ex-Sheriff of San Joaquin
County.
HIS LIFE AS A CITIZEN AND AS AN OFFICER
Death Made Its Claim at Tuttletown
Early Monday Morning of
This Week.

Thomas Cunningham, ex-Sheriff of
San Joaquin county, died suddenly at
Tuttletown, Tuolumne county, at
about O'Clock Monday morning, Nov.
26, of appoplexy. The word, when re-
ceived in local Official circles this after
noon and among the old residents of
his home, caused a deeper sensation
than any similar occurrence has ever
produced. Down town the news spread
like wild-flre and was the subject of
conversation on all lips. Ex-Sheriff
Cunningham died virtually without a
word of warning. He. had arisen and
eaten his breakfast at about 4:30 o'clock
preparatory to going to Sonora to at
tend a big Republican ratification
meeting there. He was in company
with Hon. S. M. Shortridge and
Assemblyman Ralston, recently elect
ed. According to the report received
early this morning, they had boarded
carriage and had driven a short dis
tance, when Mr.. Cunningham said: II
must get out boys, I'm choking"
HIS LAST WORDS.
The rig was stopped, but hardly had
the words been spoken before Tom
Cunningham was dead.
Ex-Sheriff Cunningham left Stockton
Saturday afternoon for Angels Camp.
He had been importuned to be present
and went against his own will. He
had come home Friday from stay of
several days in San Francisco and was
tired. His daughter Lillian awoke him
Saturday morning and asked him if he
was going to Angels. He said he did
not know, but he arose and ate break
fast. Leaving the house, he took his
long coat with him, stating that he
might not be back, words which, in the
light of subsequent events, bore sig
nificance little dreamed of.
He did go to Angels and was pres
ent there Saturday night. From there
the drive was made over to Jamestown
and then to Tuttletown. Tonight
there was to have been a big ratifica-
tion at Sonora and it was there he was
going when overtaken by the grim
messenger, Death.
SPECIAL TRAIN FOR REMAINS.
Word was Immediately sent to this
city to his family and to the Sheriff's
Office, when arrangements were COM
menced to prepare for receiving the
body. Congressman Woods arranged
for special train on the Sierra road
from Oakdale to Jamestown and for
the proper transfer at Oakdale on the
return to this city.
When court convened at 10 o'clock
this morning many lawyers were pres
emit and Judge Budd and Jones sat in
bank. Congressman S. D. Woods
arose and made touching speech,
calling up the magnificent qualities of
the deceased, characterizing him as
being as gentle as woman and as
brave as lion. He moved that com
mittee be appointed to arrange for the
funeral from the standpoint of official
life and that court adjourn in respect
to his memory. Judge Budd and
Judge Jones both spoke briefly, eulo-
gizing the deceased. Ansel Smith,
Frank Fl. Smith and ]. E. Budd were
appointed committee and court ad-
journed To-day's matters for a week.
TOM CUNNINGHAM LIFE.
Thomas Cunningham was, perhaps,
not only the best known man in this
county, but also in the State, over
which his active career as Sheriff of
this county, for over quarter of a
century had carried him. He was
native of County Longford, ireland,
and was born August II, 1888, and
when ten years of age he came to the
United States, locating at Brooklyn.
There he served an apprenticeship at
the harness-makihg trade with his
brother-in-law. He worked there until
1855, when he came to California via
Panama. He left New York on the
steamer Illinois and landed from the
steamer Sonora on Saturday, June 16,
1855. He came at once to Stockton,
and went to work for Peachy & Baggs,
on Main street where the Wardrobe is
now located. He afterward changed
his place of employment to the shop of
George Ellsworth, on Hunter street.
He afterward worked at the Bird shop
which was. later the store of H. T.
Dorrance.
ELECTED SHERIFF IN 1871.
In 1860 Mr.. Cunningham started in
business for himself, on Main street,
near Ell Dorado, having bought out j.
w. Scott. In 1871 he was elected Sher-
if of San Joaquin county, took Office
on the first Monday in March, 1872, and
a year later closed out his harness
business. He held Office continuously
since until the incumbency of Walter
F. Sibley, two years ago. There were.
many instances required showing great
tact and courage, but he was never
found lacking in ability to meet them
all. He was married in this city in
1861 to Miss Catherine Burke, who
died several years ago. Three children
Mrs. Lillian M. Confer, Mrs. Maggie E.
Hickenbotham and Mrs. Katherine
BOggs, survive him.
BELONGED TO MANY LODGES.