The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-03-14
JOHN CUNNINGHAM.

east OF McConnellsburg on Satur-
day last and was buried ON Sab
bath afternoon in the Lutheran
graveyard in this place. The
funeral services were held at the
home of Mr.. Daniel Clevenger at
Jugtown, conducted by Rev. J.L.
Grove.
He was son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Ludwig Cunningham, who many,
many years ago, lived in house
on the site of the present resi-
dence of Mrs. Victoria Wolf near
the east end of town, and where
John was probably born about
So years ago. His father and
older brothers were shingle max
kers, while John turned his atten-
ton in his earlier days to making
Jumpers" and selling them in
the winter time.
John was especially expert in
the manufacture of Spiders" a
vehicle at that time very popular
for winter travel. For the bene-
fit of our younger readers, it was
made by taking two white oak
poles long enough for runners
and shafts, cutting it thin where
the turn was to be made between
runners and shaft, and then u.s.
ing slab for a seat running par
allel with the horse and mounted
on long wooden pins attached to
the runners. The rider sat as
tride the slab.
His parents dying and the rest
of the family leaving town, John,
early in life procured a house and
set up a home living entirely
alone.
John is remembered as a good
harvest hand. Many years ago,
before the time of moving ma
chimes and hay tedders, and when
bumblebees were much more nu-
merous and belligerent than they
now are, Johns services were
much in demand. Amongst the
best mowers were John Cunning
ham and Billy Wright. When
Billy got into bumblebee's nest
he could scatter more hay in a
minute than the latest improved
tedder could in an hour; but John
was not easily moved-not even
by bumblebees, and when one lit
on Johns face and gave any evi-
dence of business, he quietly
reached up, grasped Mr.. Bee
between thumb and finger, and
squeezed the life out of him.
A number Of years ago, John
determined to see Pittsburg.
Shonldering his favorite squirrel
rifle, he made the trip afoot.
Reaching hotel, in the smoky
city, and not wanting to frighten
the landlord, he courteously stood
his gun outside by the door.
When John came out his gun was
gone. John was mad. He never
cared to have anyone speak much
about it.
Some 80 or more years ago, in
the days of the stage coach, a
jewelry merchant of Pittsburg,
made trip over to Baltimore to
purchase a stock of goods. This
jewelry was packed in a strong
trunk, and carried on the boot of
the stage as the merchant was
returning. One night the stage
left Chambersburg in the evening
and reached this place about 10
o'clock. Stop was made here
only long genough tochange horses,
and on went the coach. AT the
second turn of the pike west of
town, fellow who had been fol
lowing for an opportunity, stole
the trunk from the stage, and
took it into the Ridge and buried
it, waiting for a favorable opportu-
nifty TO get the plunder away.
AT Harrisoville, the trunk was
missed, ,andthe northumberland
and spent about week, but could
get no clue. A few days later
John Cunningham was out with
his gun hunting on the Ridge,
when he saw small piece of red
flannel tied to bush. John
thought that meant something
and looking about carefully, he