3

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.