r. f. shinn

i was born in the arkansas river bottom in pope county, arkansas, and reared on the farm. my parents had practically no education, but plenty of practical “bay horse” sense. both father and mother were real christians, and taught us children those principles.

i am the sixth child of twelve. father died when i was eleven years old. at thirteen i broke away from mother’s teachings. i went to working in the coal mines and worked there and on the farm until i was twenty-two years old. i used tobacco in every form, swore, danced, drank whisky, and in fact i committed the entire catalogue of crimes.

i was converted at twenty-one, under the ministry of wild bill evans. immediately god called me to preach his gospel. i felt as distinct a call to get ready as i did to preach. at this time i did not know that hendrix college was in the world, although it was just forty-five miles from home, nor did i know of any other college. somehow god began to open my eyes, and old shinn began to work with him.

i was the oldest child at home at this time. 264 mother said that she could live without my help, and if i thought i could get an education by myself she was willing for me to go. i packed my little bundle of clothes in a little canvas suit-case, and walked across the country to hendrix. this was in august. when i arrived here i saw the president, dr. stonewall anderson. i “batched,” and cut wood for him three weeks. i found out that i could not enter even the academy of hendrix. i went back home, went to a little country school in the fifth and sixth grades, then to a little better school that winter, made a crop and worked at the mines until september, 1907. then i came again to hendrix and entered the first year academy. i had no money to begin with, and i have managed for every dollar i have used. i have never asked for a job of work of any kind. i was a few days early and i did general cleaning up, from mowing the campus to washing windows. my work was of such quality that the matron chose me as one of the waiters in the dining-room. i was asked to run the dairy department the next year. i did this work four years. last year i did the buying for the dining hall. i have the dairy department again this year. i cut meat, clean up the basement, and the campus, and keep up all odd ends that i can.

i have played baseball two years, and this is my fifth year in football. i was business manager of our college magazine last year. i have been our representative to the y. m. c. a. conference at 265 ruston, la., twice. i preach during the summer vacations.

i have worn clothes that the boys gave me every year since i have been here. i sometimes buy a reasonably good suit, coat, or trousers, from some of the boys very cheap.

i have not missed a meal nor a class on account of sickness since i have been here.

this is the “how.” and the “why” is because there is no other way for me to get through. this way suits me. the best time of my life has been since i have been in college.

hendrix college,

conway, arkansas.