Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-20
INCIDENTS OF THE UNWILLING.
A Remarkable CoIncId ence-Some of the
Old EMPLOYEES, Etc.


From the Macon Telegraph and Messenger.
On Oct. 10, 1913, on the completion Of
the Central Railroad from Savannah to
Macon, the first train passed over the
road, and, according to TIE programme,
large delegation from Savannah,
consisting of stockholders, directors
of the company, the city authorities
and other visitors were received
by the people of Macon and sur
rounding country. A meeting was held
and platform erected for the speakers
and visitors. His Houor John j Gresham,
Mayor of Macon, in a felioitous speech,
welcomed the strangers to the hospitali-
ties Of the city and congratulated them
on their first trip over Sthe longest rail-
road In the world" at that time. Yester-
day Mr.. Gresham introduced the orators
of the day at the exercises Of the unveil-
ing of the monument TO the memory of
the man whose labors contributed to
build the road from lS41 to the day OF COM
pletion.
Perhaps one OF the most unique figures,
though by no means the most attractive,
of the unwilling of the Wadley monument
yesterday, was that Of an aged negro who
leaned throughout the ceremonies against
a tree on Massenburg's corner, head I'M
covered, and ears strained to catch every
syllable Of the proceedings. The old man
attracted much attention by his peculiar
attitude and strange effectiveness. 1t
was learned atterward that he had been
in the employ Of the Central Road ever
since Col. valleys first connection with
1t, and experienced both the JOYS and sOr-
rows of its triumphs and defeats. When
the veil fell, the faithful old servant gazed
long and curiOusly upon the bronzed fea-
lures OF the statue, as if endeavOring to
impress its every outline upon his mem
DRY. When at last he turned away, it was
with the expression, "dat's him." a COM
pliment that genuinely testified to the
genius of the artist.
We We're pleased, with many other
friends, to notice yesterday among the
earliest employees Of the Central Railroad,
Capt. John o. Davis, of East Macon,
whose first services on the road dates
back to 1887; Mr.. Oscar Charlton, the
paymaster and first conductor of the
road, when only 10 miles were built near
Savannah, and his brother, MFR. John
Charlton, who commenced as conductor
in lS43. Also Dan. NJ Gugel, master ma
chinist OF the shops IN this city, who en-
tered the service of the company in 1913.
Those who knew Col. Wadley and were
so accustomed TO see him always carry
ing his head uplifted, and often with his
black felt hat in his right hand, were
struck yesterday when the veil was re-
moved from the statue with the faithful
ness In which Mr.. Robert Gushing, the
sculptor, had followed the likeness Of the
dead railroad king. On every hand moth
ing but praise was heard Of the work both
MS to likeness and as work of art. Mr.
Gushing has cause to be proud of the
manner in which his great work was re-
ceived Yesterday.
Mr.. Virgil Powers, who commenced his
first railroad service on the Central Rail-
road as a youth in 1885, carrying the chain
and stalking the pegs from Macon to Sa-
vannah, was among the visitors yester-
daV.