The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-09-28
CAMP MEETING TINE

ers the other day / ran across a
most interesting letter from an
old friend of Hatte1Ns Island. The
letter was written IL years ago
this month, and the dear friend has
long since passed away. But this
letter, which was in response to a
request of mine for information
about the good old camp meeting
days, will l am sure, be as inter-
esting to many people as it was to
me then.
For l had often heard as a boy
of the glories of the Camp Meet
ings on the Banks. Communities
which are now only few minutes
apart, were then separated by diff
ficult miles and many hours, and
visits between them were not Of
ten. The annual camp meetings
were glorious occasions when
friends long separated met in hap
py fellowship, and often where ro-
mances blossomed, and big deals
of those days were Matched.
This interesting letter goes on
to give a few sketches.
"In 1896, Rev. D. A. Watkins,
preacher in charge, held a ten-days
Camp Meeting at Avon, the most
popular camp ground on "The
Banks" (this being a midway
point. He was assisted by several
circuit preachers, also some local
preachers. There was Brother Cole
man Howard of Ocracoke, Ken
meth Pugh Of Salvo and Andrew
Price Of Avon. ~-s~--
zone thing happened to one eond
old brother that seemed funny tc
we younger boys. He was called on
to conduct a class meeting at 8
pm. When time came the old man
raised up in the Altar, started to
call Brother Watkins name arc
had forgotten it. He next started
to announce his subject or text to
talk on, and had forgotten that too.
In fact, the old brother seemed ~
forget everything, even his own
name, so he merely had to sit down.
The meeting was conducted by
some other brother with plenty of
singing and shouting, the forget
full brother enjoying it with the
other good folks.
"This Camp ground was located
on the shore side Of Pamlico
Sound. A big arbor covered with
rough boards and palmettos to keep
out sun and rain "a stand with the
pulpit for preachers; a mourners
bench in front; the seats were
rough pine boards. Our light at
night came mostly from lanterns.
The camps the people lived in
surrounded the Arbor. Just one
passageway leading from the
Sound. The camps were built of
boards, sails, and sometimes boats
pulled on, the shore, half turned
over, and propped up, with a sail
in front of it for a camp. Some
were just framework covered with
rushes and paImettos. In fact no
one seemed to care how their camp
was built, just so they had one.
eff l remember correctly there
were about 140 or more tents; also
some restaurants and shops where
you could get a drink of mixed
pop without ice. The women folks
cooked up big basketfuls and buck
etsful of food that would keep, be-
fore leaving home. They cooked
chickens, fresh meat and vegeta-
bles in a fireplace built Just out
side the camp grounds. The fire
places were built by having two
poles with prongs at the top, stuck
in the sand, and a pole placed
across them to fit in each upright,
and from the horizontal pole the
cook pot could be suspended over
the fire. On this the old coffee
kettle was also hung. We had hot
coffee in those days, not iced tea
and other modern beverages.
eve always had some funny
things to happen at these meet
ings. One day while preaching was
going on, some of the younger girls
and boys were cooking the family
dinner at one of these fireplaces.
Along came some hogs, smelling
the food, and trying to get their
share of it. Some mischievous fell
low dipped up a bucket of hot
greasy water and threw on the
hogs, who ran through the fire.
place, upsetting pots, pans and all.
AS they went away, what laugh
we had.
"At this camp meeting was the
first time some of us had ever seen
a monograph. If / remember, Fred
Miller of Avon had one there with
a half-dozen or more tubes to put
in your ears,-no horn or loud
speaker with it. You paid nickel
put the tube in your ear, and
others standing by could not hear
the record. All the young boys
that had nickels. had their sweet
hearts go with them and enjoy the
music. "CIiminO nm the Cofdon