Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-05-23
MAJORCUNA|NGHAMDEAD'
Lemuel Howard Expires in Hedges
vile Wednesday Morning.
Il. C. DORM DIES IN BALTIMORE
A Number Ct Others Who Have Passed
Over the Great Diyide--The
Funerals.

Funerals
Msior John F. Cunningham, VEN
cradle and well-known resident OF this
CITY, died at his home, No. J15 West
John st. at o. clock Monday night, at
the age of 80 wears. Death was due to
the infirmities of advanced age, there
having been a gradual decline of the
old gentleman's powers during the past
several wears. While his death was
not unexpected, vet the news will oc-
casion deep and wide regret in this
city, where he has spent his life. and
where he was SO we'll and favorably
known.
His end came peacefully. and his
bedside was surrounded nv the men,
bers of his family, who were prepared
for the shock of his demise by the
comatose condition into which he sank
yesterday morning, and'from which he
did not rally. passing from the deep
sleep of earth into the deeper one of
eternity.
He is survived by the following chill
.dren: Stephen, ]. Ashbv, Misses Ma
mie and Rose, OF this CITY. and Mrs.
John Ramsburg. of Arden. His wife,
who was Miss Mary Walker, died a
number of wears ago. The funeral was
held Wednesday morning at 3 o'clock
from st. Joseph's Catholic church, the
-obsequies being conducted by Rev.
Father Donahue.
The death OF Major Cunningham
removes from this CITY one IF the old
.est and most widely-know residents
of the comfy. He was born in Mar
stinsburg and lived all his life here,
and was known and re pected bv a
wide circle of friends and acouaint-
.ances. He was gallant Confederate
soldier, having cast his fortunes with
the south at the outbreak of the great
civil war, and he remained in the
field fighting for the cause until his
capture near the close OF the conflict
.ended his active participation in the
strife.
AT the outbreak of the war he was
"a member of the Sixty-soeond regi-
ment of Virginia militia, with the
rank Of major. Shortly after the COM
mencement of hostilities his regiment
was disbanded and most of its mem
sbers merged with other regiments. He
then enlisted in Company l. Twelfth
Virginia cavalry. manv of whose mem
beers were recruited from MartinsburR
and vincinity. He was a noted figure
lin his regiment, and many stories of
his bravery and devotion to duty are
told by his old comrades. He was al
ways ready for dutv in the camp or
field. and never shirked the hardships
incidental to the most trying cam
paigns. His good humor and iovial
disposition were proverbial, and on
many hard-fought field he caused the
grim lines of the awful conflict to
soften with his wit and happy saying.
He was twice captured by the Union
troops. the first time being exchanged
and returning to his regiment and TAX
ing up the fight again. The second
time was near the close of the war.
and he was held in prison until after
the surrender at Appomattox, when lie
was released and returned to Martins
burg to take up the pursuits of peace.
For several years he conducted tail
oring establishments in this city. which
he later abandoned to engage in farm
ing in Arden district. He gave
up the pursuits of the farm some years
ago and removed with his family to
Martinsburg, where he has lived the
life of retired gentlemen, surround
ed by his children and the oompan-
ions of the stirring times of his ear
lier manhood. Although his form
was bowed and his steps feeble from
the weight of wears, and his hair
silvered by the flight of time,
he vet bore his infirmities with the
composure of man. One by one he
has helped Law away the forms of his
old comrades, and he knew that in the
course of few brief years he too
would answer to the last taps and biv.
'onac with the great army of the dead.
His funeral obsequies occurred at
She Catholic church Wednesday morn
ing. a solemn requiem mass being Gel
ebrated by Father Donohue. The fun
eral was attended by the members
of Berkeley camp of Confedera veter-
ans, who attended their old comrade
TO. his last resting place in body.