Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-08-12

his people had brought to give substantial
evidence of their regard for him and their
joy in seeing him safely back. In re-
Spouse, Father Cunningham made short
speech, in which he gave some account
of his travels, and OF the condition in
which he found the Irish people. His
time abroad was spent largely in Newry
his boyhood home, in county Down, where
his mother was then living, and whom he
had not seen in Is years.
In 1889 he erected the present parochial
residence, which stands beside the church.
on the site of the house which had been
bought by Father Lane, the latter build
ing being moved back and then joined to
the new structure. At the same time he
graded the lawns and laid down sidewalks
and paths of concrete. During the follow
ing year he enlarged the convent, adding
a chapel and remodeling the Interior In
1896 he bought for burial purposes, at an
outlay of $3.50, six acres of land, adj
Joining the old Catholic cemetery. The
following year he remodeled the school
building on Walnut street and there was
put into the tower of the church set of
tubular bells, a gift bequeathed by the
will of Catherine Driscoll.
The 18th anniversary of Father Gun
ninghams ordination to the priesthood,
or of his marriage to the church." as the
pleasant and9 significant phrase Is used
among the clergy was observed In Brat
tleboro Dec. II. 1889, with fitting cere-
monial. Twenty-three members of the
priesthood came to Brattleboro. includ-
ing Vicar General Lynch Of Burlington.
| The late Bishop De Goesbrand was pre-
vented from being present by i'll health,
but sent his congratula lions. Dinner was
served n the priests house, and this was
followed by speeches. songs, and such
feast of reason and flow of soul as be-
! fitted the occasion. Among the gifts
which marked the day was a beautiful
! chalice from some friend whose name was
unknown to the recipient.
| Two brothers and n sister of Father
! Cunningham fare living in Ireland. A
| brother who came to this country died
several years ago, leaving a son and
daughter. The daughter. a girl of about
II years, was murdered in her home in
| New York several years ago under
| strange and unexplained circumstances
which will be recalled by Father Cum
| ningham's immediate friends. The son,
John Cunningham, now of Buffalo, n. Y
has often visited his uncle here.
In the death of Father Cunningham st.
Mlchaers church has lost a pastor OF
ability, Of great kindness of heart of
| earnestness and devotion: the Brattleboro
| community has lost one OF it's stanchest
and truest citizens and a great number
Of men. without distinction of religious
| belief, have lost a friend whom they loved
and held in sincerest esteem No man
| WHO mas HNeu IN lIdttleDOrO IN the last
25 years has taken a stronger hold on the
community on its moral side than has
Patrick Cunningham. No man has ever
stood for more on the side of good morals
and right and clean living. He not only
believed in personal rightness of life md
In banishing from the community every
thing that threatened to lower the stand
ard OF morals, but he spoke out fearlessly
when occasion demanded. His counsel
and his words Of warm approval were an
inspiration and a rock Of reliance and de-
fence when any fight against evil ways
was being waged In this firmness in be-
half Of right there was no tinge of aus
terity or severity. He was right in his
own heart and he spoke and acted spon-
taneously from lifelong Unborn convic-
ton
Father Cunningham came to the Brat
tleboro church preceded by a reputation
as a man of learning and ability, OF
breadth of view. of gentle manners and
Kindness OF heart, and this reputation he
has abundantly justified and increased in
all these years spent among us. He was
the most courteous and charming OF
companions. and the quick and keen wit
which never failed him was better than
any medicine. While maintaining always
the dignity and reserve of his profession
he let his sympathy with all the larger
affairs OF the community be known, and
the spirit of his quiet. self-contained life
breaking down barriers between good
and true men raised in the past because
Of difference in religious belief There Is
a goodly company OF men, entirely outside
the Roman Catholic communion. who will
always carry i'm their hearts warm love
and sincerest regard for Father Cunning
hams memory.
To his church he gave his life with alb
solute devotion. Among his own people
he was the wise counselor, the watchfu
monitor, the friend in need-the good pas
tor. By his brother priests he was es-
teemed not only for his agreeable per-
sonal qualities, but for his wide learning
and well stored mind from whose treas.
ures he drew at will for entertainment OF
for enlightenment.
The body will be moved from the pa
rochial residence to the church this even
ing at 80, and will lie there in state un.
til the hour of the funeral Saturday
morning at g. a guard of honor from
the Foresters and knights of Columbus
will be at the church while the body lies
in state. In accordance with custom
among the priesthood 1t is requested thai
no flowers be sent to the church.