Evening journal., 1907-08-19
TINES CHANGES
AT ZOAR CAMP
Eighty Large Tents at the
Historic Grounds in indian
River Hundred
ONE OF THE OLDEST ON
DELAWARE PENINSULA

GEORGETOWN, Aug 19-zoar
camp, one Of the Oldest. II not the old
est, on the Peninsula, is in progress
in Indian River hundred. about seven
miles from Georgetown and about three
miles from Millsboro. There are about
so large. two-story tents in the grove.
and the inhabitants number about three
hundred. The camp Is in charge OF
Rev. j. l.. Derrickson and the tenters
are people from Georgetown. Milton
and the country surrounding Indian
River hundred, says the Sussex Jour
nal
The first camp ever held at that his
torical camp ground dates back beyond
the memory of any of the old people
who now reside near that place, but
the doings of a hundred years Of that
camp ground have been handed down
from generation to generation. People
those days went in covered wagons,
(only one or two tents being on the
lground) At that time the camp would
open on a Wednesday and continue
until the following Wednesday, only
one Sunday being spent in the grove.
the women folks taking along enough
colored people. who were slaves in
those days. went TO the camp with the
white people. usually having their COW
cred wagons in the rear of the preach
er's stand away from the white people,
and after the white people would get
through with their services the oolored
lpeople would commence their Iyeetings.
No tabernacles were used In those days,
aftIr 20.
down for seats The colored folks
were not allowed to promenade in the
grove. however After the negro was
freed this custom was abolished.
The women wore "slat" bonnets and
the men the blue homespun Then
travel TO the camp was made with OK
teams, not a dozen carriages being IN
Sussex county The younger element
went a-horse- backbone walking To-
days things have changed The fine
hat has taken the place OF the "slat
bonnet. the finest wool has taken the
place OF the home-spun. the runaboui
has taken the place OF the ox-cart
and the fine two story tent the plac,
lof the covered wagon.
Church Over 100 Years Old.
Just at the edge OF the grove stand.
built over one hundred years ago. 3,
we are informed. when recess pulpit,
were not known and when seats Will
no backs, took the place OF the nov
+ comfortable cushioned pews. Up unit
: about five years ago the old church
stood just as It was built, with iti
: lold fashioned pulpit, old-fashioned soati
and old-fashioned woodwork For ovei
seventy-hve years the same roof GOV
cred the building that was put therl
when built, and when the church wa
, repaired the roof was IN a good stat
/ of preservation
The grave yard. which stood in th
rear of the church. Is now used by m
camp visitors as a promenade ground
the bodies of those inferred there hav
ing been removed by their friends. TO
many years an old board fence en-
circled that historic spot. In the earl
b days of the camp the grove was YER
r large. taking in many acres, but from
I time to time the timber has been Gu
{ until now there is scarcely room 70
the eighty or more tents. Then IN
camp was held several yards TO IN
rear of the present site, and the hors
). pound and hitching places for visitor
2, with teams was used where the presen
- camp is held.
s Many improvements.
Great improvements are being mad
at this historic camp ground ever
year. A short time ago a large an
commodious boarding tent was erect
- ed and this year the committee has ha
a large auditorium built at a con
q siderable cost The grounds are no
= fenced. as at many other places, an
I, the committee depend on the basket an
other collections to pay the runnin
expenses Of the camp.
Last Sunday the attendance wa
large especially in the evening. Th
u preaching was good. the prayer meet
d ings full Of religious fervor and n
Is order first class The tenters who al
r. mostly farmers. extend a warm han
e lof welcome to all who go 10 the cam
.s land make the tired. weary visitor fe
Is at home, And should he be hungr
IL give him something TO eat, which go,
a good way toward touching a man
lpurse string.
Those who visit the camp on Sur
n. days usually attend the regular SCI
n vices. after which they spend the cd
,r time in hand shaking. renewing old aC
d lquaintances. conversing about the crop
e the weather. and occasionally drop
a few words about politics.