Peter Sr. Mankins

MANKINS - "Uncle" Jimmy Van Hoose, only 60 years of age, came tripping up the steps to our office on yesterday after his paper, saying that he was going out to take dinner with his grandpa on his 100th birth day. We hope the boys will have a good time. [Fayetteville Democrat 9/17/70) Eds. Democrat.- Being one of the fortunate ones who enjoyed the good dinner given by Mr. Peter Mankins on Monday, the 19th inst. in honor of his father's birthday, I have thought a brief description of the proceedings might not be uninteresting to some of your readers. Peter Mankins, Sr., according to the family record, was born Sept. 19th, 1770 and his son, Old Pete, as many call him, had said if his father lived to see his 100th birthday he intended giving his friends a dinner. Preparations for the dinner were begun a week before the memorable day arrived. 700 pounds of beef, mutton and pork were barbecued, and loaves of bread, too many to count, were baked, and chickens about Peter's premises fared as badly as if there had been a Methodist conference held there. He had constructed a rude table in the grove 125 feet long by 31/2 wide. Every 2 feet on each side of the table was a clean, white plate and a new knife and fork. There were several side tables for carving purposes, &c. The table was tastefully arranged and bountifully supplied with a variety of the substantial dishes, as well as luxuries. Several handsome cakes, quite large, were conspicuous. It was really an interesting sight to look upon and one well calculated to make a hungry man forget all his troubles. Before going there in the morning I had fears that the crowd would be greater than Peter had counted on and that he would have more friends than meat, but when I saw the quantity of beef, pork and sheep meat roasting, to say nothing of chicken fowls, I thought where were all the folks to come from to eat this mammoth dinner. I was not long in finding out where they were to come from. Notwithstanding the clouds portended rain and the roads were very muddy from recent heavy rains, the people began to come in by dozens and by twenties, some on horseback, some in wagons, buggies, hacks, ambulances, and many on foot who had walked 8 miles. One old gentleman, 7 4 years old, walked that distance and waded White river twice. By 12 o'clock the premises were covered with gay and happy groups - enough folks for a camp meeting. "Everybody and his wife" seemed to be there. The tables were 150 yards from the house, but the old gentleman who had lived to see a hundred summers fade, walked erect with a buoyant step without an assistant to his seat at the head of the table. The table was then filled up and all with heads uncovered stood until a blessing was invoked by Rev. Mr. Renfro, when the order was given to "eat ye all ofit." As soon as one table full had eaten they fell back, when the table was quickly rearranged for another, and so on until the table had been filled four times. While the fourth table was eating the rain was seen coming and those who had not eaten were requested to go to the side tables and eat as best they could. There were over 500 persons at dinner with Peter that day and ifthere had been 1,000 he would have had plenty of that that was good to satisfy them all. The best of order prevailed and every body was respectful and seemed to enjoy the bountiful hospitality of Peter, who himself was all attention and very solicitous that every one should be well fed. I was pleased to see such a reunion of old settlers of Arkansas after long years of strife, for there were several there who had taken opposite sides in the late unhappy war. The old veteran of 100 years received many warm congratulations that day from old friends whom he had not seen for long years. May he yet live many years. Yours, Uncle Jimmy. [Fayetteville Democrat 10/1/70] MANKINS, Peter, sr. - Old uncle Peter Mankins, Washington county's centenarian died on Thursday night last in the 112th year of his age. Obituary will appear next week. [Fayetteville Democrat 1/5/82]