The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-31
MAJOR JOIN c. wINpER.


Edenton, n. G.
His wife, four children and eleven
grandchildren survive him. The names
of the children are as follows: Mrs.
DR. Frank w Hughes, of Newbern, N.
c.; Mrs. VIM. r. Tucker. Mrs j. Lud-
low Skinner and John H. Winder, late
General Manager of the Seaboard Air
Line, the last three all of Raleigh,
N. G. @ -
He was educated as a civil engineer,
and on December 22d, 1856, he was
married to Miss 0ctavia NJ. Bryan, a
daughter of the late Hon. John III.
Bryan, of Raleigh, n. c.
Although a full and accurate sketch
of his career has been already pub
lished, it seems not amiss to dwell for
a moment-somewhat more in detail
upon his ability and comprehensive
grasp of affairs as railroad man, and
to emphasize the beauty, strength and
gentleness of his character.
In 1875, when he became connected
with the Raleigh and CASTOR and Raj
eigh and Augusta Airline Railroads,
the Raleigh and Augusta was con-
structed only as far as Sanford, n. G.
Shortly afterwards it was completed
to Hamlet The old-fashioned, light
weight, iron rail on the r. and G. road
was removed and replaced by 50-pound
rail: and afterwards both the II. and @.
and the r. and A. roads were relaid
with 60-pound rail. The stock of the
r.. and O. Railroad increased in value
from about 30 to SIS cents on the dollar;
and for many years until the con-
struction of the Georgia, Carolina and
Northern Railroad) paid dividends of
and s per cent. per annum. The Car
DINA Central was purchased, and the
g.. c. and n was built, during his adj
lninistration; and he was the moving
spirit in the construction of the Dur
ham and Northern Railroad. His pol
lev was based on the conviction, that
the interests of the Railroad Company
and those Of its patrons were identical
and inseparable, and that, by helping
the communities along the line, he
helped the enhancement in value of the
railroad property-in other words,
that the prosperity of the section
through which the railroad ran meant
the prosperity of the road itself, and
vice versa. He was firm with the en-
ployees. and exacted of each subordi-
nate the faithful performance of every
duty; vet he was ever their personal
friend, and to the humblest and plain
| est man of them all he was always APP
proachable and kind-ready and will
ing, at all times, to give an attentive
and respectful hearing to any man who
had the right to claim his ear. The
| public and employees, alike, had un-
| bounded confidence in his fairness and
| honesty of purpose, as well as in his
| business sagacity and sound Judgment,
| and accepted his decisions as just and
right.
/ He had high and commanding
sense of duty, and he rigidly adhered
| to its dictates, even when its perform
ance gave him heart-pang. The finer
] fibre of his nature shone with clear
and undimmed lustre through the Sc
verest act of discipline required by the
/ occasional unfaithfulness of his subor-
| dinates; and the nobility Of his charac-
/ ter was shown by its harmonious
| blending of strength with gentleness,
| courage with tenderness-infexibl
/ adherence to the dictates of conscience
| and principle, coupled with high re-
| gard for the opinions and feelings of
| those who held opinions contrary to
| his own. A touching incident OF this
/ phase of his character was recently
| related to the writer by a member of
/ his family A locomotive engineer be-
| came intoxicated while on duty, and
was discharged by Major Winder.
/ Upon the representations of friends
| Of the man In whom Major Winder had
| confidence, ne was reinstated, with a
severe reprimand, and a warning as to
| the inevitable consequences of a repeti-
/ ton of the offence. A few months
/ later, the engineer was again found in-
toxicated in his engine-cab, and was
/ summarily dismissed. That day, at
/ dinner, Major Winder sat silent and
| troubled, and finally left the table
| without even turning his plate; and 1T
was only after solicitous enquiries and
/ persuasive coaxing that the real cause
| Of his trouble was discovered. A sense
| Of personal responsibility for the lives
| OF the travelling public had impelled
him to take from a husband and father
| the means Of earning bread for his
| family, and the reflection on what this
| meant TO his dependent wife and little
| ones so wrought upon the tenderer
| side Of the great officials nature, that
both food and sleep were ignored. No
| comment could enhance the beauty or
this touch Of tenderness and human
| sympathy; yet it's simple narration
will strike a responsive chord in the
hearts of those who knew him best,
! and therefore loved him most.
Major Winder was widely known
| throughout many communities and
| States; and he was everywhere revered
| and beloved. AS a railroad Official he
had great powers of organization,
quick perception Of the needs and the
| opportunities in sight and a fine exec
| utiye ability. As man, he was in