The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-26

Washington November .5.--Willlam
wilson Finley. president o. the South
crn Railway and n leading figure III
movements for tho Development Of the
south. died here to-day as a result Of
Il stroke OF apopleNy, which lie suffered
Z few hours before. lie did not regain
consciousness after he was stricken.
Mr.. Finley's family, friends and as
sociates were wholly urprerared :nr
his sudden death Scarcely past Tho
prime OF life. he was vigorous and
energetic and seemingly IN the best of
health until moment before hc was
relied by the stroke Ec passed yes
'crday evening quietl! wlth his fam
ily, and retired apparently in the best
physical and mental condition. When
Ire arose about o'clock this morning
he casually observed To Mrs Finley
ihat he had a feeling OF slight oppres-
sion In his head. She left the room
Tor moment to obtain -vrno mild rem
Guy. When she returned lie was lean
ing over a dresser with hi. head bur
led i'll his hands. She attempted 10 as
sist him. but he fcn into he, arms
unconscious
Never Regnins Consciou.ncs..
mo FAMILY physician was called and
every effort was maze 10 restore him
10 consciousness AT 1850 o'clock this
afternoon he passed away, with Mrs
hinley. threo of his daughters and his
son at the bedside
Until the end not even Mr. rimley's
most intimate personal ana business
associates knew that he had been
stricken. Many OF his personal friends
IN railroad circles were In the citv at
lending rate hearing before the Inter-
state Commerce Commission. His ONLY.
son. w. w. Finley. Jr., connected with
the traffic department OF the Pennsvl-
vania Railroad at Newark y. J.. was
notified Of his fathers condition and
arrived at the house about fifteen min
utes before the death.
Mr.. Finley is survived by Mrs Fin
ley. Misses Lottie V, Lille ~, l.conora
and Celestine Finley. and his son Miss
Lottie was out Of the city and could
not reach here before her fathers
death.
The funeral services will be held in
st. Johns Episcopal Church. this city,
at II o'clock next Friday morning.
Burial Will be in Oakhill Cemetery.
Born In Mississippi.
MIR. Finley was born ON September
2, 1863, in Pass Christian. on the Gulf
coast OF Mississippi. He was educated
in the private schools OF Pass Chris-
tfan and grew to early manhood in
the atmosphere OF this picturesque sec
tion Of the South. At the asc OF
twenty he entered the railroad servicn
as u stcnographer. and by 1855 he had
filled almost every minor position in
the clerical department OF various rail-
roads During the succeeding six years,
Mr.. Finley served several railroad sys-
TENS in important executive capacities,
11e became, on October ], 1895, third
vice esident OF the Southern Rail-
way. Later he was second vice presi :
dent OF the Great Northern Railway.
but on September 10. 1896, he returned
TO the Southern Railway as second
vioe-president. Ten years later. in De-
cember, he was chosen president of the
Southern In succession to Samuel
Spencer. who was killed in 81 rear-end
collision on the morning OF Thanks
giving Day, six years ago.
Head OF Many ROndS.
Mr.. Finley was president not only
oc the Southern Railway. but also OF
tho Southern Railway Company in Mis-
sissippi: the Mobile and Ohio Railroad
Continued on Second PageD