OBIT: William Oaks CUNNINGHAM, 1880, Huntingdon County, PA

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W. O. Cunningham Drowned in the Juniata River - His Funeral To-day.

  The many friends in Altoona of Mr. William Oaks Cunningham were 
pained beyond expression to learn of his death by drowning in the 
waters of the Juniata on Saturday.  In company with several gentlemen 
friends from Philadelphia Mr. Cunningham repaired in the morning to a 
point on the river where the Raystown Branch empties into the Juniata, 
about two miles east of Huntingdon, on a fishing excursion.  At this 
point there is a rope ferry and shortly before noon Mr. Cunningham 
crossed the river by drawing himself along the rope hand over hand 
fashion.  In a similar manner he returned to the middle of the stream 
where the water is said to reach a depth of from twelve to fifteen 
feet, and loosening his hold on the rope began swimming around in the 
water, his friends lying on the bank of the river watching his 
movements.  Suddenly Mr. Cunningham was heard to utter a cry for help 
and almost immediately thereafter sank to rise no more, the billows 
rolling o'er him for the last time ere it was possible for his friends 
to render him that assistance his piercing cry called for.  Every 
possible effort was immediately made to recover the body, which, 
however, did not result successfully until about 11 o'clock on Saturday 
night, when it was removed to the residence of the mother of deceased 
in Huntingdon.  Will Cunningham was a commercial agent in the employ of 
the notion house of Hess, Rodgers & Chambers, of Philadelphia, and was 
well known among the merchants and others in Altoona, his last visit to 
our city being made on the 18th ult.  He was a genial, kind-hearted 
young gentleman, and his many friends here sympathize with the members 
of his family in the great affliction which has befallen them.  A 
brother of the deceased was also drowned at Huntingdon some eight or 
ten years ago.  A note received in this city last evening stated that 
the funeral of W. O. Cunningham would take place this morning at 10 
o'clock.  Poor Will!  Peace to thy ashes and may thy grave ever be 
sheltered by the grass-green turf.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday, June 7, 1880