Dispatch, August 4, 1889

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Infrastructure -- Public : Camp meetingsTourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Fraternal ordersWeather -- Rain stormsFields -- Crops - Other fruitFields -- Crops - Sweet potatoes : MarketsTransportation -- Railroad - FreightTransportation -- Water - FreightInfrastructure -- Public : Churches

Onancock, August 3, 1889.

During the past week the Northern Methodists have been holding a camp meeting in the woods near Parksley station, about ten miles north of Onancock, on the line of the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk railroad. A huge tabernacle with open sides has been erected, around which are grouped a number of rude plank shanties, called tents in the local vernacular, reminding one of the pictures in the old-time school-books of Caesar's camps in Gaul. In spite of the fact that it has rained every day, large crowds are always present at the services night and day, and there is hardly an hour from sunrise till late at night when the woods around are not vocal with the sounds of camp-meeting music and the stirring appeals of preachers and exhorters. A well-trained choir is on hand to make music, with the accompaniment of organ and cornet, very much to the displeasure of some of the old-time saints, who can see "no spirituality in the horns and wooden boxes," as one of them contemptuously styled these instruments. A very noticeable feature of the crowd is the large number of babies that may be seen in the crowd every day. They come out in full force every afternoon and make things lively for the time being, frequently rendering the voice of the preacher and the music of the choir inaudible in some parts of the tabernacle.

Conspicuous among the crowd on the camp-ground is Samuel Byrd, a curious compound of piety, ignorance, and fanaticism. He is a member of the Baptist Church, but is the uncompromising enemy of church organs, steeples, ornamental windows, and science in every form. He is a firm believer in the literal six days of the creation and the six thousand years of the world's existence, and has no sympathy for those who hold the opposite opinion. His religious zeal resembles that of Peter the Hermit, and in the afternoon when the services are over he will gather a crowd around him under the tabernacle and proceed to explain his views at great length. While professing his contempt for profane learning, he is perfectly conversant with the Scriptures, nearly all of which he knows by heart and can repeat at pleasure. He talks very rapidly, using a text of Scripture to sustain all his points, and makes it a rule never to allow an opponent to get in a word against him. He is nearly seventy-five years old is a red-hot Prohibitionist. Many years ago he retired from public gaze and spent his time in secret contemplation and prayer. His dress is very peculiar, his hair white and falling about his shoulders, his manner earnest and impassioned, all giving him a decidedly patriarchal appearance. It does not seem to disturb him in the least that he is generally regarded as a religious crank or fanatic.

Professor William H. Pleasants and his daughter, Miss Mary, of Hollins Institute, who have been here for some days visiting the family of Mr. Upshur B. Quinby, have left for home. While here Professor Pleasants gave an interesting talk to the members of the new Masonic lodge in this town.

The rainy weather during July was unprecedented in this region. Fortunately, however, no serious damage has been done to growing crops except peaches, which are falling off the trees and rotting in large quantities.

Sweet potatoes are going to market in big piles. The steamers carried from here several days ago 1,800 barrels, the largest shipment ever made from this place so early in the season; and that, too, with a railroad within two miles of Onancock carrying big shipments every day to New York, Boston, and other eastern markets.

The Accomack Baptist Association, comprising the churches of Accomack and Northampton, will hold its next meeting at Atlantic church, in the northeastern part of Accomack and fronting on Chincoteague Bay.