Correspondence from James Stuart Cunningham [ME ‘79], 1881-1887

1881 August 13 J.S. Cunningham (Wilkes Barre) to Dick writes about what has happened since graduating, he is with railroad branch of Pennsylvania R.R., met Prof. Doolittle who is engaged in the 2nd Geological Survey determining the Latitude and Longitude of Wilkes Barre, asked how you liked you work, Cunningham is getting married and expects to live in Allentown, recalls about several ’79 Class members locations 1881 September 11 Cunningham (Susquehanna Coal Company, Wilkes- Barre to Richard says planning on moving to a new position with Midvale Ore Co. in New Jersey for more money, some classmates have also applied for the position, invitation to wedding 1881 October 22 Cunningham (Midvale Ore Company, Midvale, N.J.) to Richard relates he is slowing adjusting to his new life in country with wife, complains about the rural residents and wife’s restrictions 1882 January 4 J.S. Cunningham (Midvale, N.J.) to Richard continues About settling into housekeeping and his new office 1882 May 9 (Midvale, N.J.) to Dick writes about domestic life, being on crutches, slow down at work because Bethlehem Iron Co. does not need ore at present, extends invitation for visit (3 full pages) 1882 August 20 (Midvale) to Dick remarks about “distinguished liar Jack Leavitt” no longer in Bethlehem, asks Dick who runs the Observatory while “Prof. Boss” (Benjamin Gross is away in Chile and can one see Venus from Albany, business slow so he might go for a job on R.R. in Bedford County, Pa. 1882 August 29 (Midvale) to Richard reports reading the Herald article about Venus and infers that Dick is running D.O. (Dudley Observatory) while “Prof. Boss” is away, speculates how it would be if he could work with Dick making observations if clouds do not interfere in Albany , but he now has to go to Bedford and install air compressors on the R.R., saw Jeter in Bethlehem 1882 September 17 (Everett, Bedford County, Penna.) to Dick remarks that Dick mentioned some heart trouble and James says he is sorry about that and on first opportunity to go to N.Y. will do so, remarks that is astronomical work no longer suits him, he could do pure civil engineering work on the R.R. James says he is sorry he took mechanical engineering at Lehigh now that he is out in the world – Pierce knew no more than we did being a C.E. & Merriman not much better – in Wilkes Barre James says he had excellent practice in both Mining & Civil & Mech and wouldn’t exchange the experience for a dozen L.U. titles, only misses L.U. mining course of chemistry, now has been tendered the position of Supt. Coal & Coke Dept. at Broad Top Co. when operations commence retaining connections with Midvale Co. Large amount of work to do – the South Penna R.R. has two corps located in Bedford altogether with The Atlantic & Pacific Corps on the rival road there are 14-15 engineers on deck – they are going to build from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg in opposition the Penna. Via Reading to N.Y. & Phila. – one of Vanderbilt lines. A division engineer – Clements - comes from Albany & Greenbush bridge over Hudson. Reports that Paddock intends to marry “if she don’t go back on him” 1882 November 19 (Everett, Bedford, Ct) to Richard reports that he is a Daddy- has a boy – mother and son doing well, has not heard from Paddock, busy building railroad and superintendent of Coke & Coal Div. has an assistant Troy’81who has been in R.R. in Oregon and Idaho, will come to see him (Dick) when he is in N.Y. 1882 December 12 to Tucker talks about South Pennsylvania R.R. construction, Vanderbilt negotiations with Gowen (Reading R.R.) over whose line is reached – N.Y. via Allentown & N.J. Central – all under one system, now is architect too providing houses for miners, remarks about Astronomy imagining he has seen Venus. Asks Dick if he “did ever hear, or see or hear tell of a Lafayette Engi? I haven’t.” Reports he has a son named Walter Hammer C---. Saw Paddock and says he is not what he once was (negatively) but doing well professionally. 1883 April 15 to Richard now moving family to Bedford Cty., met Paddock and wife, busy with R.R. Harrisburg & Western construction which will connect with Pittsburgh & Youghiogheny - Sayre is President, does not think he will make the Alumni reunion as he will be in midst of construction, speaks of “grasping Railroads 1887 November 17 to Dick South American mails being shipped via Key West on a cat boat and Dick couldn’t get it, in June ’86 James sent him Daily Times, intends to attend commencement next June if east of Chicago. Still at Everett in charge of furnace still idle and in hands of Bondholders for nearly two years but continues to draw a salary. Sargent is married to Miss Cowdray. Paddock is in Connellsville. Cunningham has three children. Spent nearly a month at Lehigh in Spring ’86 and made a report to Alumni which was referred to Faculty by Board of Trustees – Prof. Williams informed him that Faculty inclined to be as conservative as the Trustees so he became disgusted with the whole outfit but later was informed that the recommendations are adopted – the Library is now of some use to Profs & Instructors who can remove works to their classrooms and Trustees requested us (Alumni) o keep them advised of any “improvements we wish made in the different courses.” He believes that the future 20 yrs will be in general engineering – mining and industrial work in Argentine Rep. than in any other country – if he is ever out of work he would risk a trip down his (Dick) way (Argentina). He went hunting. News of Anarchists in Chicago he sent to Dick via newspapers. Lehigh has great increase in students and cramped for space. Asks about opportunities for American civil mining engineers down “your way” “is the gov’t doing anything to give Buenos Aires a harbor or docks – if so is it Gov’t work or English contractors. Understands R.R.s are built with English capital, the line north from Cordova is to strike a rich mining region.