Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-25
The Late colonel W. NJ. Wadley

] NelC OftcLhS otuteSs august ~,
On the same day and at the same place
when and where our lamented friend,
W. NJ. Levy, closed his earthly career, an
| other eminent citizen of the Southwest
Welded up soul and life upon which our
section, people and large circle of friends
| had set their highest estimate of his great
| usefulness and value as a gentleman OF rare
| qualities and virtues. This was Colonel W.
| NJ. Wadley, Of Georgia, who is well remem-
| hered IN this community and throughout the
/ South for his wonderful energy and organ
/ izing talents in the management of great
railroad enterprises.
| In 1857, Mr.. James RObb, President of the
New Orleans, jackson and Great Northern
| Railroad. attracted to Mr.. Wadley bV the
fame Of his high qualities as a manager, Sc
| cured his services In the management Of our
OnIv large railroad.
| HIS management was an eminent success,
and placed our great railroad On firm and
/ solid basis. Next as a branch and adiuGet
! to the n. OF. and g. n Mr.. Wadley took
| charge Of the Southern Railroad, and under
| his supervision the extension from Vicks-
/ bury TO Meridian was constructed. Then
/ the Vtcksburg, Shreveport and Texas Rail-
| road was placed under his charge, and was
| prosecuted to such success as secured him
/ the confidence and admiration of the people
/ OF Northwest Louisiana, among whom he
/ took No his residence near MunrOe, In Qua
/ cbita. where, with his family, he remained
until the Confederate war broke ou'; then
| he was selected by the Confederate Govern
/ ment to take charge of its transportation
department with the rank of Colonel.
in this capacity he fully justified the con-
| fdepce Of his government and OF the people
| BY his vigllant snd energetic discharge OF
the verv serious and difficult duties imposed
upon him.
AT the close Of the war Col. WadleY was
waited on by q delegation from Savannah,
| Ga. in the interest OF the Central Rsilrood
| Of that State, and was solicited TO take
| charge OF that great road. Sherman't march
to The sea had left It an almost hopeless
wreck. and It's stock had sunk to the low
/ rate of 25 per cent of its original par value.
He accepted the Presidency OF this road
ard of the Jurthen connected with il, on
/ condition that be should not be interfered
/ with. He rebuilt this road with its innu-
merable bridges, depOts, and soon placed It
| in first rae order and extended its business
bv the purchase and lease Of connecting
| roads IN il 1t became the largest aud most
productive railroad in the Southwest Fur
ther TO augment its business, he inaugursted
and organized the steamship line between
Savannah and New York, built five first
class ships, at Reaches ship yard, Phiade'-
phia, OF over two thousand tons burden.
This line WAS COuuCClCu Will tue NEuLEal
Railroad Company.
There were three other steamships Of still
larger capacity for this line that are ex-
peeted to appear in Savannah az the open
ing OF the cotton season. By these energetic
measures Mr. Wadley very soon enabled the
railroad to pay grand dividends, and from
its profits to make large purchases OF new
engines, Of steel rails and OF all the other
eouipmepts of a complete and tirst-class
railroad. He further invested large amounts
Of the revenues of the company in various
improvements and facilities for the handling
Of freight, including a large grain elevator.
In fire II Is marvellous that so much could
be accOmplist ed in sO short time by the
energy Of one man. Iu the last few yesrs OF
his administration Colonel Wadley received
great aid from his son-in law, aLouisianian,
IN whose success and fame we feel the
pride Of brother Louisisnians. Captain W.
] g. RsOul, who two years sgO was elected
member OF the Board of Directors OF the
Central Railroad, by the largest majority
ever given to a member, was subsequently,
promoted to the Vice Presidency, and the
general management of the company coDhd-
ed to him. So satisfactorily has young Raoul
discharged the duties of his position, and so
popular and acceptable has been bis admin
istratiOn of the vast business of this COM
panY, that 1t is confidently expected he will
be selected as the successor OF Col. Wadley
In the general management.
A disagreement with some of the direc-
tors OF the company relative to Col. Wad-
ley's interest In the Ocesn steam line inaugu-
rated and prosecuted to completion by him,
caused his severance from the management.
He was proud, sensitive and self reliant
man, who could not bear patiently the oppo.
sition or censure of persons OF inferior
capacity.
The annoyance produced by this opposi-
I 81 rh~ ruff IA
which he was affected, and fastened his
lamented death. It win he difficult to I'll
the void that death has created. Our young
friend and LouIsianian, son Of Mr.. G.. T.
Raoul. Of this city, Is the only one to whom
the people Of Georgia look as q worthy sue