Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1922-10-26
MEMORIAL HIGHWAY TO HONOR JEFF

OAVlS-A new highway to traverse the six states
hat were the backbone of the old south and to
memorabilia the most romantic figure in the his
tory OF the section, Jefferson Davis president of
the Confederate states, is the object of new good
roads organization that has been formed in south
Georgia as previously stated in the News.
The Jeff Davis Highway Association" is the
rame OF the new organization and the left Davis
Highway" is the name of the new good roads
route which it proposes to have completed from
Vlcksburg, Miss, through Mississippi, Alabama
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and
Virginia, with terminals at Richmond Va. and
Savannah, Ga
Many OF the outstanding features in American
history have been memoralized in trans-continen.
tai or trans-scctional highways" Isador Geders
editor OF the Fitzgerald Leader Enterprise
and secretary OF the association said in ex.
planning the project. "Probably no one man
has meant more to any great section
Of country than has Jefferson Davis, to the south
and certainly man has meant more to the south
history"
he wounds inflicted during the tragic wears
IN which Jefferson Davis established his claim
to tame have now sufficiently healed to permit
people OF all sections to look back on his name and
career without bitterness" Mr.. Gelders continued
and IT is only fitting that the great section which
tonored and almost dolzed him in life should
sponsor permanent and useful memorial to him
III death"
The Jeff Davis Highway as the new association
has planned it, is a practical necessity in the hur
red and motorized times in which we are 1ivino
NO one recognized path has been marked out over
Wmch tourists can traverse the heart OF the south
ms highway, as our consulting engineers have
mapped 1t, is the INST direct and most easily neeo
liable route through the south avoiding as il does
the mountains Of the northern portion Of the
southeastern states and keeping largely TO terri
tory where roads be built straight and level
at comparatively low cost
Much historical and sentimental interest alta
thes to the points through which the hiohwav
passes, from the point of view of both northern
ana southern tourists Its three terminals are
NlckSDurg the scene Of one of the most heroic seip
es and deienses of the war between the states
savannah. the goal OF Sherman'S last campaign and
Richmond. the scat of the Confederate government
during most Of It's existence.
The highway passes through Montgomery the
hrst capitol of the Jeff Davis government. where
' ~ w@' "S"id ted dS president and the
place near irwlnville, Ga where he was finally can
tured
The highway included in the Jeff Davis" route
Is already practically complete, save for short
stretch between Fitzgerald and McRae, Ga, which
Will include bridge over the Ocmulgee river State
and Federal aid is to be asked in completino this
stretch when recognition is gaintd for the route as
a trunk highway in the state and federal highway
systems.
Mr.. Bowen, president, and MIR Gelders, secre-
tary, OF the new association, have been prominent
IN good roads movements in Georgia for the last hf-
teen years They sponsored the central route Dixie
Highway route from Macon to Jacksonville
the last link of which has recently been
completed Dawson News