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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
CATHOLICS IN GEORGIA
CAPTAIN P. H. RICE
To Capt. P. H. Rice, of Augusta, president of the
Catholic Laymen’s Association of Georgia, belongs
the honor of having done more than any other lay
man to promote the cause of Catholicity in Georgia,
and perhaps in the whole South.
Captain Rice is now serving his second term as
president of the Laymen’s Association, and never was
an honor more fittingly given a man. To him, more
than any other layman, the organization owes its
existence.
The Laymen’s Association was formed in 1916.
Fully ten years before that time the present head of
the organization, as State Deputy of the Knights of
Columbus, raised for Bishop Keiley $1,500 to enable
priests to visit Catholics in Georgia who lived in out
of the way places. Part of this fund was used to dis
tribute literature not only among non-Catholics who
requested information, but among Catholics who had
fallen away from the Church. In this way he was
directly responsible for the return to the fold of many
a strayed sheep.
This was the real foundation of the work that was
to start a decade later with the organization of the
Catholic Laymen’s Association. Captain Rice was at
the first meeting, the preliminary, when nine men
met at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Augusta and
laid the plan of the organization, and has been present
at every Laymen’s Association gathering since.
Captain Rice is a native of Augusta, being born
in that city May 15, 185 7, the son of Matthew and
Elizabeth (Galvin) Rice, both of whom came to Georgia
from Ireland. Leaving school at the age of thirteen,
he entered the employ of an Augusta cotton firm, but
two years later became assistant bookkeeper for the
shoe firm of Gallagher and Mulherin. At the age
of 19 he was buyer and manager for the store, and
at 2 1 purchased an interest in the firm, then known
as William Mulherin & Co.
In 1888, Jeremiah O’Connor was admitted to the
firm, which became Mulherin, Rice & Co. Five years
later, Mr. Mulherin died, and the present firm of Rice
& O’Connor formed.
The business of the firm has grown until it is one
of the largest of its kind in Georgia and the South.
Besides the flourishing retail business, a large whole
sale business is conducted. The Boston Shoe Store,
of Augusta, is also under the control of the firm.
On September 22, 1886, Captain Rice was mar
ried to Miss Elizabeth Carson, of Savannah, Ga.
There are four children, Anna M., May Claire (Mrs.
James B. Mulherin), Matthew S., a graduate student
at Catholic University, and Patrick H., Jr., a student
at Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala.
Captain Rice’s family, his business interests and his
work for the Laymen’s Association have not monopo
lized his attention, however. He is an active Knight
of Columbus, perhaps the best-known Southerner in
the circles of the order. He was the first Grand
Knight of Patrick Walsh Council, and has held that
position a majority of the terms since its foundation,
despite his frequent protests that he had not the
time. His last term expired in 1 920. He has also
been Master of the Fourth Degree for the States of
North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, and
State Deputy for Georgia.
The organizations Captain Rice was responsible for
starting almost rival his years in number. His most
recent work in this line was the formation of the
First Sunday Communion League, the purpose of
which is indicated by its name. Hundreds of Augusta
men are members of it, and it is an inspiring sight
to see them approach the altar rail on the appointed
Sunday each month. It is one of the feature of the
flourishing spiritual life of Augusta.
Many years ago Captain Rice was active in organ
izing the Sacred Heart Cadets, which were famous
through the South in their line. During the lifetime
of the company he served as captain. He has been
treasurer of the St. Joseph’s Branch, Catholic Knights
of America, since 1 893, vice-president of the Savan
nah Valley Fair Association, vice-president of the
Female Orphanage, Savannah, president of the Au
gusta Retail Merchants’ Association, president and a
director of the Board of Commerce, a director in the
Union Savings Bank, and an official in many other
religious, fraternal and business enterprises.
Captain Rice is one of the best-known and highly
respected citizens of Augusta. Hundreds love him
for what he has done for them; the others honor him
for the man he is. His only fault would be a virtue
in others he works too hard. As The Bulletin and the
Laymen’s Association benefit more than any other
organizations through this “fault” of his, we can
hardly object very strenuously to it.
May you be here to be written up on this page
again, Captain, twenty-five years from today.
AN ENCOURAGING COMMENT.
The Bulletin has been commented upon
favorably many times since it made its first
appearance, but it has received no letters of
commendation it values more than the one re
produced below:
Pass Christian, Miss.,
April 4, 1921.
Catholic Laymen’s Association,
407 Herald Building,
Augusta, Ga.
Gentlemen:
Be good enough to send me “The Bulletin”
regularly as published. 1 enclose my check for
$2.00, and I think that “The Bulletin” is worth
ten times as much.
With kind regards, I am,
Yours very sincerely,
JOHN E. GUNN,
Bishop of Natchez.