Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-26
Rose Rapidly in
Railroad Business.


William Wilson Finley was born in
Pass Christian, Miss, in 1853. He en-
tered railway service in 1S73swith the
New Orleans, Jackson and Great
Northern and the Chicago, St Louis
and New Orleans roads, as a stenog-
rapher.
Ten years later Young Finley found
himself assistant general freight agent
for those companies, having been pro-
NOTED in a single jump to that posi-
ton.
In 1888, Finley was made assistant
general freight agent of the Texas
and Pacific division of the Missouri
Pacific Railway, which position he
held until 1885. Then he was made
assistant general freight agent for
the receiver for the Texas and Pa
cifc Railway.
"A year later President Finley was
made general freight agent of the T.
and p. and two years afterward was
promoted to general freight agent of
the Pan Handle Route. comprising
three great Texas roads.
Did Association Work.
In 1889 Finley entered association
workaand became chairman Of the
Trans Missouri Traffic Association
with offices at Kansas City, Mo From
this position he went to the chair
manship Of the Western Passenger
Association at Chicago.
He gave up this position in 1892 to
become general traffic manager Of the
Great Northern and Montana Central
Railway. Three years later he be-
came member of the Southern
States Passenger Association.
During that same year-1S95-Mr
Finley became connected with the
Southern Railway as third vice pres
ident. He was made second vice
president In 1895 and was elected
president of the road in 1906, sue
ceeding President Samuel Spencer,
who was killed in an accident on his
own road.
Included in the Southern Railway
system Of more than 10000 miles Of
trackage. Of which Mr.. Finley was
the head. were the Alabama Great
Southern; the Cincinnati New Or
leans and Texas Pacific; the New Or
leans and Northeastern; the Alabama
and Vicksburg; the Vicksburg,
Shreveport and Pacific; the Mobile
and Ohio; the Georgia, Southern and
Florida; the Northern Alabama; the
Southern Railway in Mississippi and
the Virginia and Southwestern Rail
way.
Encouraged Farmers.
Like Howard Elliott President Fin
ley devoted much attention to ac-
quainting the public with the place
railroads III IN the life of the ma
ton, and in his own territory he was
brilliantly successful in encouraging
more scientific methods among far
mers. He was an LII. D. twice over,
a good orator and a clever writer.
T, c. Powell. vice president at Gin
clnnati. is likely to succeed Mr.. Finley
as president. He is the active head
Of the Queen and Crescent system,
Southern Railway subsidiary. alt
hough Mr. Finley was president Of
that system also.
Third Rail Head to Die Recently.
The death OF President Finley
marks the passing Of the third great
figure in railway circles Of the South
during the last few months.
Henry NJ E1agler. the head Of the
Florida East Coast Railroad, and
protector OF the extension TO Kew
West. one Of the greatest enginee-
ing feats Of modern times, was the
first TO die. His end came at St.
Augustine Fla. after he had reached
the &c Of SO years
Joseph r, Parrot president Of the
Florida East Coast Railway. and the
man named by Flagler in his will AS
best fitted TO carry On the great de-
velopment work h9 began in the
early eighties was tie next to die