The record-union., 1898-02-15
ALVIN DIAMOND WILDER.
THE RAILWAY SUPERINTEN-
DENT IS DEAD.
Passed Away at His Home in Oak
land Yesterday Of Pneumonia,
After Short Illness.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. IA D.
Wilder, superintendent of the Western
Division of the Southern Pacific Com
pany, died at his home in Oakland this
morning of pneumonia, after short
illness. Mr.. Wilder, who was Of an
extremely nervous temperament, has
been in poor health for some time past,
but continued at his desk until last
Monday, when a slight cold settled
upon his lungs. He rapidly grew
worse, and yesterday his symptoms be-
came so alarming that his physician
warned his friends that his patient had
an even nance only for his life
Alvin Diamond Wilder was born in
New York State fifty-two years ago.
and was probably one of the best
known railroad men in the country IN
fact. the Wilders. father and son. have
always been railroad men. Milton
Wilder, the aged father, who is still
alive. was at one time Superintendent
of the New York Central system.
At the age Of 10 years he went with
his father to Buffalo, wherd he grad
uated from the High Shoot at II. He
entered the service of the Erie Rail
road as freight clerk, and in 1861 was
promoted to chief clerk in one of the
sections of the company.
In 1865 ue started for California. COM
ing around Cape Horn. He became a
clerk in the ticket office of the Central
Pacific Railroad in this city, and the
following year was transferred TO Sac
ramento. where he acted as freight
clerk and subsequently became freight
auditor.
The close confinement of the office
did not agree with him, and he removed
to Oakland. where he became the chief
clerk of f. c. Fellows, who was super
intendent Of the Oakland Division. The
next year he was transferred to Val
lejo. and there became Division Super
intendent Of the California Pacific
road. He continued in that capacity
until November 1878, when Mr. Fellows
became General Superintendent. Mr.
Wilder succeeded Mr.. Fellows as Su-
perintendent of the Western Division.
and ne held that office until his death.
The division over which Mr.. Wilder
had control is probably the largest in
the country Ii includes the Oakland.
Fresno and Sacramento divisions. the
Santa Cruz system and the Oakland
local system. bVNH bTtdu ana i1arTOW
gauge over 5000 men were under
his immediate direction. and among
them to-day the feeling is as though a
father had been taken from him, so
well was he loved.
Mr. Wilder was married in 1870 TO
Miss Anna North in Springfield Ill.
Mrs Wilder died in 1882 Four children
are now living-namely. Edward N.
Francis A. Harriet n. and Ruth Anna.
Mr. Wilder later married Miss Mary
Snyder in Racine wis. and one son.
Alvin Diamond, Jr, was the result of
that union
No arrangements have yet been made
for tine funeral.
The position left vacant by the death
of Mr. Wilder viii probably be filed by
the promotion of Joseph Thompson.
who is now Assistant Superintendent.
of the Oakland Division. Mr. Thompson
was formerly yardmaster at Los An
ge.es and was promoted to the position
of yardmaster at Oakland soon after
the Webster-street disaster. eight years
ago His ability was quickly recog-
nized and he was soon made assistant
to superintendent Wilder. position
which he has filled very aceeptab.y.