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Salem Pioneer Cemetery ~ William Cunningham ~ part of the Marion County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
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Surname: First Name: Maiden Name: Ethnicity:
Birth Date: month (Jan) year (1925) Lot #:
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William Cunningham
LAST NAME: Cunningham FIRST NAME: William MIDDLE NAME:  NICKNAME: 
MAIDEN NAME:  AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3: 
TITLE: Mr. GENDER: M MILITARY: 
BORN: 1826 DIED: 4 Aug 1886 BURIED: 5 Aug 1886
ETHNICITY:   OCCUPATION:  Hardware Store Owner
BIRTH PLACE:  Ireland
DEATH PLACE: Salem, Marion Co., Oregon
NOTES: 
IOOF - William Cunningham, died in Salem as a result of an awning falling on him;
1880 OR CENSUS - W. Cunningham, age 53, occupation brick mason, b. Ireland, is enumerated with wife Elizabeth, age 49, b. Ireland, and daughters Minnie (19), Florence (15), Bertha (15), and Jennie (11), all born in Canada.
DEATH CERTIFICATE: 
OBITUARY: 
SAD ACCIDENT, A Falling Scantling (sic) Strikes Wm. Cunningham, Fracturing His Skull -- It Proves Fatal
Yesterday at about 5:12 o'clock p.m., a reporter of this paper was attracted to the front of Brown, Fullerton & Co.'s hardware store at 234 and 236 Commercial street, by the rapid gathering of a large crowd, and there he found William Cunningham, the owner of the building, lying in an unconscious state with several persons and physicians bending over him. Workmen had been engaged all day yesterday in removing the awning from in front of the building, as it was getting old and was considered unsafe. They had almost completed the job, having had three of the rafters yet to saw off, and the outside posts and the outside string, a 3X6, to take down. Mr. Cunningham was holding up one of the posts to steady the work, until ready for it to come down, when the stringer, which was evidently loose at one end, fell with a crash to the ground, striking Mr. Cunningham on the left side of the top of his head, felling him instantly to the ground. The post he had been holding, also fell, striking him on the right eye. Kind hands at once jumped to his assistance, and he was taken into the store, and Drs. Bean, Holmes and Cusick called. Mr. Cunningham at once lapsed into unconsciousness and he was taken to the office of Drs. Holmes and Bean.
A partial examination revealed a severe fracture of the skull and concussion of the brain, it was presumed. Mr. Cunningham's family were summoned at once, and Dr. Hall, his family physician called in, and given charge of the case. He was removed to his home at 172 Cottage street, at half past six, but it was not possible then to tell any thing of his chances. It was thought they were very few for recovery, however, and it was considered doubtful by many if he would ever arouse from the unconsciousness that enveloped him.
Died at 9:15
Later--An operation was performed after he was conducted to his home, by Drs. Hall, Reynolds, Byrd, and Smith, and a piece of the skull was taken from the top of the head, and the patient lingered until 9:15 p.m., when he passed peacefully away, being unconscious from the time of the accident. The whole of the skull was fractured.
The funeral will be held from the residence this afternoon, at 3 o'clock, Dr. Harrington and Rev. M. C. Wire conducting the services.
Oregon Statesman 5 August 1886 3:2
INSCRIPTION: 
(large grey granite pillar)
CUNNINGHAM

(smaller stone)
Father
1826 - 1886
SOURCES: 
LR
LD
IOOF Register of Burials
1880 OR CENSUS (Marion Co., East Salem Pct., FA #131)
DAR pg 33
OS 5 August 1886 3:2
CONTACTS: 
LOT: 409 SPACE: N½ LONGITUDE: N 44° 55.176' LATITUDE: W 123° 02.832'
IMAGES:
           
 
 

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