Though we live in Medicine Lodge, we still have many happy memories 
     and many special friends at Isabel.
          In the spring of 1943 my parents, Agnes and Merle Cunningham and I
     moved to a farm souteast of Isabel from Penalosa. My first teacher was
     Winnie Freeman in the third grade. Other special teachers were Edna (House)
     Boyd and Byron Smith and principal, Pete Henrie.
          While attending school, basketball was my favorite sport, however, I
     gained my nickname from baseball. My coaches during these years were Johnny
     Grewster, Doug Moore and Bob Swinson.
          Our class gained an extra classmate our senior year. January 20, 1951
     Shirly Fitzsimmons and I were married. She was the daughter of C.R. and
     Hattie Fitzsimmons of Medicine Lodge. Following our graduation we moved
     to our farm two miles west of Medicine Lodge where we still reside.
          Farming has been our way of live, I started by helping my father-in-
     law in his farming operation, then when he passed away July 26, 1954, I 
     continued farming part-time and worked for Lodge Chevrolet for twelve years,
     then back to full time farming.
          Shirley worked as school secretary at the Primary School for 17 years 
     and is now employed by National Gypsum as computer operator.
          We were blessed with four children and six grandchildren that have been 
     our joy: James Melvin, born May 17, 1952; Cecil Rodney, born October 13, 1953, 
     Susan Melinda born February 2, 1955 and Cynthia Dawn, born July 28, 1956.
     All attended and graduated from Medicine Lodge Schools and were active in
     church and school activities and 4-H.
          Jim lives in Medicine Lodge and is employed by Arensdorf Trucking. Rod
     inherited my love for the farm. He and Karen (Bell) were married February
     26, 1977 and reside on a farm just west of Medicine Lodge. They have four
     children: Ryan, Julie, Christi and Landon. Susan lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
     is a respiratory therapist at the St. Francis Hospital. Cindy lives in Coats, 
     her husband Wayne Sundem, is employed by the Pratt Feedlot. They have two
     children, Amanda and Erica.
          We stay very busy with church activities, civic activities and grand-
     children.
               
     Source: Isabel, Kansas - The First 100 Years, 1887 - 1987,  pg. 66 
     
     Submitted by: Melvin Cunningham