WHOOPS!: Another slip of the fingers on our report of gasoline
prices yesterday. We had reported a Lewis Run man had purchased gas
in Pittsburgh for $1.289. That would be a good deal, indeed, but we
think the price was actually $2.289. We just can’t get used to that
larger digit!

‘LARGEST MAN’: One of the on-again, off-again RTS subjects over
the past few months has been the Seven Dials building.

A reader dropped by with a clipping from the March 19, 1934, Era
which shines light on a previously unreported aspect of this
Bradford building – an owner with an unusual feature.

“Martin J. ‘Jay’ Cunningham, aged 67, one of the largest men in
this city, died suddenly Saturday at 9 p.m. o’clock in his grocery
store in the Seven Dial building in North Bennett Street,” The Era
reported.

“Mr. Cunningham, whose death was caused by heart’s disease, had
been in ailing health for some time. For the past several weeks, he
made frequent trips downtown, his last visit being Saturday
afternoon. Mr. Cunningham was sitting in a chair in his store when
suddenly stricken.

“He was born in Ridgway in 1867 and spent his early life there
where he attended the local schools. Mr. Cunningham, who weighed
more than 375 pounds, had traveled extensively with carnivals and
circuses and was well-known among the show people.”

While 375 pounds is no light-weight, it’s thin compared to some
of the so-called super-obese we’ve seen on TV shows about radical
weight-loss procedures.

In any case, we’ve been told that he was large enough that he
had to stroll down the aisles of the grocery store sideways.

Mr. Cunningham and his wife operated the store in Bradford and,
upon his death, was buried in St. Leo’s cemetery in Ridgway. Maybe
some of our Elk County readers remember his family.

HOLIDAY HAM: As the holiday season approaches, we thought we’d
pass on this recipe published in The Bradford Era in November 1905.
If anyone tries it, let us know how it worked.

“To glaze a cold ham, first brush over the ham with beaten yolk
of egg. Then cover this very thickly with finely powdered bread
crumbs, pressed on firmly. Lastly, brush over the whole thing with
thick cream and set in a quick oven. This glazing should be brown
and will be like a delicious crust.”