sale of stock.] The directors shall have power to call in and demand from the stockholders the sum by them subscribed, at such times and in such payments as they may deem proper; notice of such assessment shall be given to the stockholders personally, or shall be published once a week for at least four weeks, in some newspaper published at the place designated as the principal place of business of the corporation, or if none be published there, then by posting such notice for that period, in at least six of the most public places in the county in which said principal place of business of the corporation is located. If, after such notice has been given, any stockholder shall make default in the payment of the assessment upon the shares held by him, so many of such shares may be sold as will be necessary for the payment of the assessment on all shares held by him. The sale of said shares shall be made as prescribed in the bylaws of the company, but all such sales shall be made at public auction, to the highest bidder, after notice thereof shall have been given as in this section provided for notice to stockholders of assessments; and the person who will agree to pay the assessment due, together with the expense of advertising, and other costs of such sale, for the smallest number of whole shares, shall be deemed the highest bidder. A complete record shall be kept of all assessments and sales of stock.