Page 63 - UB Church and Shen Univ
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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
of earth for our ground-breaking ceremony and worked conscientiously to expedite Shenandoah
College’s movement to Winchester. He was elected to our Board of Trustees and served efficiently on
several committees. Apparently, the January 1957 Dayton, Ohio, presentation converted him, too.
Bishop Howard was an outstanding minister, college president, educator, scholar, and Bishop of the
EUB Church.
On January 9, 1967, Bishop Howard married Katherine Higgins Shannon, the widow of Bishop
Paul Shannon; and she, of course, was 100 percent in favor of saving Shenandoah by rebuilding in
Winchester. On July 15, 1972, Bishop Howard retired and moved to Winchester with his family and
soon thereafter they became members of the Braddock Street United Methodist Church. The Bishop
was active on our College Board of Trustees and committees until his death on December 24, 1974. He
was also active in our college, community, the Golden Rule Bible Class, and most United Methodist
Church activities. He was an outstanding citizen of our area, and we are proud to claim him and his
family as our very own.
8. Selling the Campus in Dayton, 1959
Disposal of the old campus buildings and facilities at Dayton became a serious problem, as we
needed every nickel we could raise to finish the two buildings in Winchester, keep the college operating,
and pay off our Dayton debts to keep one step ahead of the county sheriff. Needless to say, we didn’t
get too much cooperation in Dayton, as they did not want Shenandoah to move.
In accordance with our agreement with the EUB Church and the instructions from our Board of
Trustees, Dr. Racey was appointed as Chairman of a Disposal Committee. They tried private sales,
broker listings, and discussed selling the entire campus to the Mennonite Church for $250,000
(negotiable). But, the Mennonites decided they could not use the property. All of these efforts failed,
and the Board of Trustees and the committee decided on a public auction at the site. Buildings, lots,
equipment, etc., would be sold. Most of the equipment was old and dilapidated and would not
harmonize or fit in with our new modern buildings in Winchester.
Dr. Racey’s committee drew up plans and had the campus surveyed into lots and parcels. We
employed J. L. Todd Auction Company, sales professionals, to conduct the sale, advertise, and promote.
They did a superb job under the direction of the committee. We had great expectations and hopes for
the auction. We were expecting $200,000 to $250,000 from the sale. This amount was needed to pay
off our notes at the banks, which had been endorsed by some of our board members; to cover bills owed
in the area; and to supplement our construction and moving costs to Winchester. Many of these were
past due, and we were being dunned for payment.
The Sale. On the morning of May 17, 1959, two carloads of our trustees and committee
members drove to Dayton, Va., for the big sale of everything on the campus. Forrest and his committee
had divided the real estate into various lots and sections, so that no parcel would require too much cash
outlay. They did a superb job, and we anticipated at least $200,000 from the sale. The service station
corner sold first and brought a good price. Then the bidding became slow, weak, and sluggish—really
anemic. Several lots were knocked down at ridiculously low prices; about half what we were expecting.
We slowed the auction and called a hasty meeting of our people. I told them that we had to start
bidding, or we would not be able to pay our debts and get out of town. After all, the Sheriff was right on
our heels. Forrest and I agreed, and we urged our trustees and everyone to bid.
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960 53
of earth for our ground-breaking ceremony and worked conscientiously to expedite Shenandoah
College’s movement to Winchester. He was elected to our Board of Trustees and served efficiently on
several committees. Apparently, the January 1957 Dayton, Ohio, presentation converted him, too.
Bishop Howard was an outstanding minister, college president, educator, scholar, and Bishop of the
EUB Church.
On January 9, 1967, Bishop Howard married Katherine Higgins Shannon, the widow of Bishop
Paul Shannon; and she, of course, was 100 percent in favor of saving Shenandoah by rebuilding in
Winchester. On July 15, 1972, Bishop Howard retired and moved to Winchester with his family and
soon thereafter they became members of the Braddock Street United Methodist Church. The Bishop
was active on our College Board of Trustees and committees until his death on December 24, 1974. He
was also active in our college, community, the Golden Rule Bible Class, and most United Methodist
Church activities. He was an outstanding citizen of our area, and we are proud to claim him and his
family as our very own.
8. Selling the Campus in Dayton, 1959
Disposal of the old campus buildings and facilities at Dayton became a serious problem, as we
needed every nickel we could raise to finish the two buildings in Winchester, keep the college operating,
and pay off our Dayton debts to keep one step ahead of the county sheriff. Needless to say, we didn’t
get too much cooperation in Dayton, as they did not want Shenandoah to move.
In accordance with our agreement with the EUB Church and the instructions from our Board of
Trustees, Dr. Racey was appointed as Chairman of a Disposal Committee. They tried private sales,
broker listings, and discussed selling the entire campus to the Mennonite Church for $250,000
(negotiable). But, the Mennonites decided they could not use the property. All of these efforts failed,
and the Board of Trustees and the committee decided on a public auction at the site. Buildings, lots,
equipment, etc., would be sold. Most of the equipment was old and dilapidated and would not
harmonize or fit in with our new modern buildings in Winchester.
Dr. Racey’s committee drew up plans and had the campus surveyed into lots and parcels. We
employed J. L. Todd Auction Company, sales professionals, to conduct the sale, advertise, and promote.
They did a superb job under the direction of the committee. We had great expectations and hopes for
the auction. We were expecting $200,000 to $250,000 from the sale. This amount was needed to pay
off our notes at the banks, which had been endorsed by some of our board members; to cover bills owed
in the area; and to supplement our construction and moving costs to Winchester. Many of these were
past due, and we were being dunned for payment.
The Sale. On the morning of May 17, 1959, two carloads of our trustees and committee
members drove to Dayton, Va., for the big sale of everything on the campus. Forrest and his committee
had divided the real estate into various lots and sections, so that no parcel would require too much cash
outlay. They did a superb job, and we anticipated at least $200,000 from the sale. The service station
corner sold first and brought a good price. Then the bidding became slow, weak, and sluggish—really
anemic. Several lots were knocked down at ridiculously low prices; about half what we were expecting.
We slowed the auction and called a hasty meeting of our people. I told them that we had to start
bidding, or we would not be able to pay our debts and get out of town. After all, the Sheriff was right on
our heels. Forrest and I agreed, and we urged our trustees and everyone to bid.
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960 53
