The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-04-11

chinist. in a critical condition in a
hospital here. was put underway to-
day by Coroner Oscar Wolff and
Gary authorities who have been in
formed of the death after short ILL
nesses of five members of his family
in the last six years.
Cunningham's organs were filled
with poison, DR.. Thomas A. Carter,
of the hospital staff. reported to the
coroner. He was first stricken six
weeks ago after eating lunch at
work, but recovered after two weeks
and returned to work. Two days lat
er he was taken violently i'll after
eating an evening meal at home and
since then has been near death.
The deaths began in 1919, relatives
It'd the coroner. David Cunningham.
tae father, suddenly sickened and
died in his home, then in Valparaiso,
Indiana. The next year Isabelle.
eighteen, a daughter. died after a
two weeks illness. Harry, son,
twenty-four, died in 1921, after be-
ing sick ten days, and Charles.
eighteen. another son, was the vic
tim in 1922. Walter, thirteen, died
after, ten days illness in 1923.
The mother and daughter, May.
seventeen, are the only other sur
viving members of the family. The
mother has been left almost with
out support. Mrs. Cunningham had
a nervous collapse six months ago.
Mrs. C. r. Barry reported the series
of sudden deaths to the hospital au-
thorities after tests had shown the
presence of q large quantity of poi
son in Cunningham's body.
Coroner VOLTS office said it was
probable the case would be placed
before the states attorney, and ac-
ton also probably would be taken
on a request of relatives to open the
graves of the dead members of the
family.
When Mrs. Cunningham was taken
to, the states attorneys office it
was disclosed that George Arnold, rs,
., cousin of young David Cunning
ham, is an office employe of States
Attorney Grove and that he inform
ed Mr.. Grove about the case.
Arnold said that in each case when
q member of the Cunningham fam
ily became ill relatives were mott
fled by Mrs. Cunningham that the
patient was not expected to survive.
Young Arnold said y relatives who
went to the Cunningham home at
such times found the patient, form
erly robust and apparently healthy,
had been reduced almost to skin and
bones.
As a result of the disclosures the
states attorney ordered that the
only surviving member of the fam
lily besides the mother and young
David, a daughter, May, II years old,
be examined by a physician to de-
termine her physical status. She
lives with her mother in Gary.
Suspicion of some sinister instru-
operating against the lives
Of the Cunningham family was ar
oused by the deaths even before Da-
vid Jr. became i'll recently. his cous-
in, Arnold, said.
David Cunningham, Sr.. and his
wife had lived on a farm near VAL
paraiso, Indiana. since their mar
riage in 1919, Arnold said. After
ward the family moved to Gary. The
dead members Of the family are
buried in a cemetery near Gary.
Arnold said the Cunninghams had
lived principally on insurance paid
on the lives Of David Cunningham
Sr., in the amount of $2.50O and in
ranging from $500 to $4,000
on the other deceased members Of the
family.
Mrs. Cunningham, questioned by
First assistant states attorney
George E. German, said she had re-
ceived $1,000 insurance upon the
death of her husband, David, in 1919,
an dthat he died of stomach trou-
BILE; that she received $4,000 after
the death Of her son, Harry, who
died Of tonsilitis in 1921; $1,000 af-
ter the death OF her daughter, Isa-
belle, who died in 1920 after re-
(Continued on paRe enroo)