| From the Atlanta Constitution |
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| August 11, 1882 |
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| William M. Wadley |
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The announcement of the death of Colonel Wadley, which
took place in Saratoga on yesterday, will be received with grief all
over the state.
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| He came to Georgia years ago a
poor man in all save energy and integrity. His attention to business
and sterling qualities marked him for promotion. From his position as
an humble employee he rose step by step until he found himself in the
presidency of the property he had done so much to build up. He found
the railroad system of Georgia a weak and fragmentary thing. Taking
Savannah for his base, his imagination no sooner traced out the
diverging lines than his practical hands brought them together. In
doing this he had to fight many local interests, and made consequently
many business enemies. But he never wavered in his purpose to build up
for Georgia a system of railroads rivaling in mileage, business and
territory covered the strongest competitors in the land. The Central
railroad of today is what Mr. Wadley made it. It was the first success
in southern management after the war, and its triumphal completion
marked a new era in Southern industrial improvement. Besides the
original line it now embraces the Macon & Western, by purchase;
the Southwestern, by lease; the Georgia railroad and its tributaries,
by lease; and controls a fine fleet of ocean steamers plying between
New York and Savannah. The sagacity which could successfully create
this immense property must have been of high order. Besides his work
in the railroad world, Mr. Wadley had other large interests which he
managed with prudence and success. |
| In his death, Georgia loses
one who has done, notwithstanding the many criticisms passed upon him,
more to develop the solid business interests of the state than any
other man within her borders. His honesty was unimpeachable, and his
name will fill an honored place in the annals of the state. |
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