Arthur S. Colyar Biographical Files

Large endowments were subscribed, principally from Louisiana, and the corner-stone of this institution was laid on the 10th day of October, 1860. The laying of the corner stone of this institution marked an epoch in the history of this country. It was perhaps the first great educational institution to be conducted under the auspices of the Episcopal Church, that had ever been started in this country. The day was a propitious one, bright, breezy and balmy: the whole mountain top was alive with people, more than two hundred bishops and clergymen, in their robes, forming a magnificent procession marched to the site where the corner stone was laid - the matchless John C. Preston, of South Carolina, being the orator of the day. There were practically no houses here at that time and the large crowd was cared for in tents. Dr. Wallace? Estill and his family had a tent here, I had a tent with my family, and remember that Bishop Gregg was the guest of Dr. Estill on that occasion, and regret very much that the lapse of time has caused me to forget who I entertained on this occasion.

The Civil War came on soon after, practically nothing was done until after the close of the war in 1865, which left practically the whole South in such an impoverished condition that the large endowment fund that had been raised before the war, was practically swept away by the ravages and devastation of that terrible strife. The ten years had almost elapsed and the title to the property would revert if the school was not opened. Major George R. Fairbanks of Florida had located here in the meantime, built the famous log house known as "Rebel's Rest." A few days before the ten years elapsed, he assembled a few mountain boys and formally opened this school, and thereby held the title to the property.

Prior to the Civil War but little was known in this country about the Episcopal Church or its service. I think the first sermon that was ever preached by an Episcopal Minister in this County was preached by Dr. Quintard in the Court House at Winchester.