NP, AC 8/15/1882

From the Atlanta Constitution
 
August 15, 1882
William M Wadley
   The announcement of the death of Colonel Wadley, which took place at Saratoga on yesterday, will be received with grief all over the state.
   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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