From Days Gone By July 7, 1932

 July 7, 1932.

    Movements of plans for a complete and full celebration of the success of the well known Bee Line Highway have started. This through line, in opposition to nobody's road, started back yonder 14 years or more right here in Wrightsville. The Wrightsville Headlight began agitation for the erection of a road from Swainsboro to Kite to Wrightsville to Irwinton to Macon and it was called the Bee Line Highway, because, as the crow flies, it is the straightest route between these cities and between Macon and Savannah as you lay a rule on the map.

    Continually since, without any let-up any time and anywhere, this newspaper has unequivicably and unflinchingly and faithfully asked for the building of this road and at every turn of the machinery at the helm of state it has been a constant endeavor of ours to further every project that would finally consumate this end.

    Across Johnson County, from the East to the West extremities, this road now runs, and it is a fine road already. It is on the map of every county it touches. It is going to be on the highway map of July, 1932. It will pay handsome dividends to the counties in gas tax. Emanuel, Johnson, Wilkinson, Twiggs and Bibb counties will prosper by reason of this successful project. Citizens will reap handsome benefits from its completion. Travelers from everywhere will come this highway and centuries of the future will find it the choicest route available. The Bee Line is the highway. This was foretold 14 years ago.

    Wrightsville is the "Daddy" of the Bee Line. Her citizens have given of their time, money, influence, enthusiasm, progressive and aggresive spirit ever and along at every turn of the road to put this highway where the State Highway Department would own it, would operate it, would maintain it and pay the counties for it, as well. Wrightsville has never stopped working for it. Wrightsville started after it and now sees her labors rewarded. Wrightsville people, good and true, faithful and boosting, knowing its worth, have never seen the day to hesitate. Pushing on always, the goal is now in sight.

    Wrightsville has been backed by a strong following along the line of the highway, from Kite to the river, who have done a great work in backing up this city in its desire to put this highway through as quickly as possible. Now the gods of fate, politics and push have decreed that this road shall be, it is time to celebrate.

    Wrightsville can have a day set apart, appointed, fixed for a full and complete celebration right here in our own midst with the citizenship of the city and county. Ordinary W. J. Flanders says its the thing to do. Warden R. M. Stanley joins the same sentiments. Others who are in support of this are Councilmen Frank Outlaw, Dr. J. W. Brinson, R. L. Kent, E. E. Daley, R. L. Stephens, Monroe Cook, Mayor H. G. Hatcher, Tom L. Martin, R. B. Bryan, A. L. Hatcher, James A. Hall, E. E. Sanders, Jack Robinson, M. S. Duggan, E. R. Spell and Sheriff  Willis D. Rowland. 

    Once this celebration is complete, Wrightsville and Johnson County will spearhead getting a bridge across the Oconee River to replace the ferry.

From Days Gone By June 30, 1932

June 30, 1932.

    Mr. E. J. Claxton and Mr. H. P. Howard, owners and managers of the popular Bee Line Springs recreation grounds at Kite are having quite a large patronage at that place this season. They are now planning a big sing there for next Sunday, July 4th, with the promise of a large attendance. It will be an all day affair.

    More than 1,000 turned out at the courthouse for the Southeast Georgia Singing Convention. it was hot but the music rolled on as well as the perspiration. Outside, Officers Rowland, Brantley, Tapley, Crawford and Mayo reported no arrests and no cause for any. Mr. Tom L. Martin furnished ice water throughout the day.

    Mr. C. T. Moseley who farms the Hicks place reports a fine crop of cotton, corn and other grains. Mr. R. P. Hicks remarked it was the best crop he had ever seen on the place. Mr. M. A. Jackson is sending a lot of farm and garden produce to the curb market in Atlanta.

    Work on the Price-New Home Consolidated School will soon begin. it will be a large, commodious structure. There was 235 girls from the Savannah and Macon Districts to attend Camp Wilkins in Athens. Those attending from Johnson were Gladys Wells, Ruby Ivey, Susie Mae Rogers and Nettie Sweat.

    The City of Wrightsville will close up for the 4th of July. The courthouse will be closed. The filling stations will remain open as well as the cafes. Its back again, the supreme outstanding picture of all time will be at the Palace Theater, THE BIRTH Of A NATION, this time with sound.

    A telegram came in announcing the death of Mr. Z. A. Douglas at Hot Springs. He is a brother of Messrs. John A., R. R., E. A., Reuben and Brown Douglas. In the New Home community was the marriage, Saturday, June 18th, of Miss Nannie Belle Harrison and Mr. Ellie Belcher by Rev. Bennett Davis. She is daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Harrison. He is a son of Mr. & Mrs. Sunny Belcher and by occupation a farmer.

    Twelve years earlier, 1920, Miss Eva Drake and Mr. Horace Wheeler were married. Ex-Mayor Shurling erected a home on North Marcus. School was suspended on account of the flu epidemic. Snow fell in Wrightsville. Miss Louise Reynolds and Mr. Beverly B. Hayes were married. Sheriff-Elect Jonah Davis died of pneumonia before taking the oath of office.

    But few politicians ever went around this country boasting of being able to "give any county to anybody", to say nothing about the peanut fellow. Georgia had a man one time who could and did have that honor, but all generations since the time Noah and his old boat, there have been but few Tom Watson's.