Columbianism in T cxas
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The first exemplification in Texas of the highest Degree was held in Dallas on February 22, 1907. The new Degree proved popular and many aspired to i~s honors, hence the rapid growth of the Fourth Degree Assemblies in the State. Soon after the first Assembly was established, Texas was not only made a separate jurisdiction, but had to be divided in turn into two, the Northern and Southern. Sir Knight G. A. Mistrot became the first Master of the Southern and Sir Knight William G. Crush of the Northern jurisdiction of Texas. New exemplifications became frequent and new assemblies were formed in various councils throughout the State. By 1909, there were over four hundred Fourth Degree Knights in Texas, and as the membership grew throughout the Order in the whole nation, as well as the State, new jurisdictions were created. Today it is divided into Provinces, Districts, . and Assemblies. Texas has a province of its own, known as Guadalupe Province; seven districts, with headquarters at Beaumont, San Antonio, Dallas, Corpus Christi, El Paso, San Angelo, and Taylor; and thirty-four Assemblies scattered among the principal cities of the State. The officers of the Fourth Degree in 1952 for Texas were William J. Mulligan, Supreme Master, Hartford, Conn.; Joseph J. Bellew, Vice Supreme Master, Guadalupe Province, Houston; Dr. J. R. Vaenza, District I, Beaumont; John W. Hill, District 2, San Antonio; Judson A. Crow, District 3, Dallas; J. Edmund FitzSimmon, District 4, Corpus Christi; Wallace E. Place, District 5, El Paso; Anthony J. Willeke, District 6, San Angelo; and Fred Joseph, District 7, Taylor. The Fourth Degree Assemblies throughout the State meet annually to renew their obligations and discuss matters of special concern to the group. It has become customary to donate a chalice to the Ordinary of the Diocese each year in memory of the members of the Assembly who have died during the year, to be used at the Bishop's discretion. In Texas the Fourth Degree has made the preservation of the old mis- sions and sites of old churches an object of special concern as significant monuments and reminders of the glorious heritage of Catholics in the State. One of the notable undertakings of the Fourth Degree was the generous help given to the restoration and rehabilitation of old La Bahia Mission at Goliad in which the late Sir Knight Thomas Kehoe, Past- Master of Texas, took much interest. Eradication of Prejudic6 vz1td Correction of E"ors. In closing the history of Columbianism, a word need be said on the many trials and tribulations to which Catholics in general, and the Knights of Columbus
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