The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1888-10-04
AN OLD SETTLER.
The Late Judge Geo. d. Rice.


to correct a mistake the writer made
He said that "Judge Geo. D. Rice.
like President Andrew johnson,
got his education after he was mar
ried. By perseverance and hard
study he arose from poverty and OBJ
security to the head of his profess
sion." He made very great mis-
take, for Judge Rice was literally
educated, was a graduate of two col
leges, had diplomas from both, was
a fine classical scholar. His father
was Presbyterian, and educated
him for the ministry, gave him every
advantage that the day and time af-
forded; when he finished his educa-
ton he felt no call to preach, SO he
chose the law as his profession,
studied law under Judge Peck, an
eminent jurist, and was admitted to
the bar in Tennessee, his native
state. Judge Rice's father, who was
merchandising, failed in business
about that time, and was not able
to do any more for his eldest son
than give him horse and his bless
ing with which he started out to
make his own way in the world.
He was not of an obscure family
either. | have read the published
lives of three of his uncles, all emf
nent for learning and purity. DR..
j. H. Rice was an eminent minister
and president of the University of
Virginia for years. DIR. B. Rice
wad president of Princeton College
for many years. Judge Rice's, faith
er wanted his son to follow in their
footsteps, but he chose his granfath-
er's profession, the law.
He came to Georgia in 1923 and
studied Georgia laws under Walter
l.. Colquitt, remained in his office
two years, and there he met the la
dy who afterward became his wife.
She was visiting her cousin, Mrs.
w. l.. Colquitt.
Judge Rice moved to Marietta in
1884 and built the fourth or fifth
house built in this place, he was the
first lawyer that settled here, if
remember right. His first house
was built near the square on Can
ton street. He lived there two
years, then bought 40 acres of land
over the branch towards Kennesaw
mountain and built a larger, better
log house, in which he resided until
thes Rev. I. F. Scott bought him
out and established a seminary for
young ladies there, which was sue
cessful as school for a number of
year. | think the place was after
ward owned by Mr.. Cheek. His
last home in Marietta was a large
house south of the town, on high
hill, afterwards owned by a Mrs.
Frazier.
AS l am Judge Rice's eldest
daughter and was raised in Mariet-
ia, l can give you some reminiscent
ces too. | remember the old los
court house and the log tavern kept
by Mr.. Winters first, then by Mr..
Simpson, Col. A Simpsons father.
The Indians were all around us,
and every now and then the early
settlers would get up a big scare
about Indian massacre, and gather
all the women and children in the
log court house, and guard it all
night. On one occasion my father
was away from home and they sent
two men to escort my mother
and her children to the court house,
but she refused to go. She said her
husband would be home some time
that night and she would wait his
coming, and she remained alone
with her three children and ne
gro girl. My father got home about
and, as he had seen no In
dams, quietly went to bed. My
father had organized the settlers of
Marietta and surrounding country
into company, which he kept drill
ed, as there were much needless
alarm about the Indians. | remem-
Der seeing him drill the company on
the square, and gun in the hands
of a man bursted and took of cor
ner of the court house roof, one