A History of E Clampus Vitus by

Ken Castro XSNGH

CLAMPER EPIC-in-PROSE 5/94

Submitted in keeping with request by Joe Allison, Mighty Clamp-bastard, on occasion of 13^th annual meeting of PxP’s May 28, 1994 at Mariposa, California, for a very brief history of Clampers. (Signed: Kenneth M. Castro, PxP1 Clamplaquero GC)

A very brief history in three parts:

ECV -- Clampheritage
ECV Redivivus -- 1930 to present (updated by Frank Houdek)
PxP’s

I. ECV -- Clampheritage

The ancient and honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus in California was born of the gold rush in the Mother Lode, and later thrived in the silver mining camps of the Comstock Lode in Nevada. It was a fraternal society, in a world filled with hard-ship, separation and loneliness. It was a benevolent society, to help those in need. It was a secret society. It was an American institution, springing up within two years after the end of the Mexican colonial period in 1848, with little history of its own to record.

Gold was discovered in Alta California on March 9, 1842, by Francisco Lopez y Salgado at Placenta Canyon—placer gold— on Rancho San Francisco (formerly a rancho of San Fernando Mission), near Newhall, Los Angeles County. He was a vaquero (cowboy), educated at the University in Mexico City where he studied at Colegio de Mineria. Within a month he and his companions filed what is California1s first request for a gold mining claim. The placers were worked from 1843 to outbreak of war between the United States and Mexico in 1846.

(Platrix Chapter No. 2, whose members did historical research, erected a plaque to "Oak of the Golden Dream" on November 15, 1992, to mark the first authenticated discovery of gold in California.) Six years later, on January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill, Coloma, El Dorado County—ten days before the end of the Mexican colonial period. Marshall was an americano living in Alta California. Ensuing publicity of his discovery led to the great California gold rush.

And before that....

Early Lodges East of Mississippi River

They Came by Land....

But... was Zumwalt the founder of ECY in California,

Or did he find ECV already in California ??

They Came by Sea

Early Western Lodges

The following dates refer to activity of lodges reported in publications,

and not necessarily to year of organization:

1850 Stockton Stockton Journal, 1850.

San Joaquin Republican, Stockton, 5/14/1852

and weekly for several weeks thereafter: announces meetings at Lodge Room at Angelo House; SNG, Joseph Miles. (Several notices contained a symbol: a bare foot, two crossed scythe blades, three "7"’s and the letters "ECV." (Two letters from Murphys signed "Cincinnatus" were published in San Joaquin Republican 1853-54 expressing strong sentiments against acts of a legislator.)

"E Clampus Vitus.A special meeting of this benevolent institution will be held at Angelo House this evening. A large attendance is particularly requested."

ECV donation of $100 to Carson Valley Road fund—the road which came into use in 1849, significantly more direct than the Carson Pass Route for immigrants heading to the Southern Mines.

re ECV. ... while some of its mysteries are of the most ludicrous character the obligations are solemn and the purpose, in the greatest degree, beneficent. There is a lodge at every principal settlement in California, Stockton being the grand center and focus of the societies. Nearly every member of the Legislature has been initiated and many of the most influential of our public officers." 

"We are informed that a bogus branch of the ancient and honorable Order’ of ECV has been established at a ranch in the country. The NGH of this lodge has received no dispensation from the Grand Lodge in this city, and we understand that an injunction has been issued by the Order to restrain the clandestine encampment. It is truly strange that persons can be found in this county to practice so serious a fraud on the people."

"This venerable institution is still in a prosperous condition in this city. We learn that quite a number of prominent and influential citizens have recently been initiated into its mysteries."

In Mokelumne River canyon in Sierra Nevada foothills of Calaveras County. First meeting of Mokelumne Hill Lodge No. 1001, September 1851; NGH, Joe Zumwalt.

Reports Mokelumne Hill lodge "in session."

The E Clampus Vitus, it was a universal order, with an imaginary Grand Lodge and Grand Treasury at Mokelumne Hill; but each town had its special lodge

"The members of the Branch Lodge No. 25 of the ancient and honorable Order of ‘ECV’ at San Francisco have donated $100 to the Firemen’s Charitable Fund."

refers to "newly created secret society of E Clampus Vitus" at San Francisco.

"The ECVs in San Francisco, we learn from the Sun, will celebrate the 22d inst. by a procession, oration, and ball. Hon. Geo. Penn Johnson has been selected to deliver the oration, which will undoubtedly be satisfactory."

"History of Siskiyou County,": refers to ECV pranks there 12/1852.

refers to ECV.

"A branch lodge of the ancient and honorable order of S Clampus Vitus has been established at Sonora."

Ghost Town. "Over at Sonora there was an S Clampus Vitus lodge too. The G.S. Lodge of E Clampus Vitus that was, to begin with, and they could boast it over the Gobblers (Gobblers’ Lodge No. 107,368, Columbia) that they had a regular lodge hall: the one and original Hall of Comparative Ovations The first Grand Noble Humbug there was a young lawyer by the name of Otis Greenwood. During the fifties he was one of the most prominent lawyers in the county. So after S Clampus Vitus had been functioning at Sonora for a while, he called a special meeting. That’s how the Sonora lodge seceded from the Ancient and Honorable Order of the S Clampus Vitus and started the new one they called The Royal Order of G.S., Mighty and Terrible. G.S., according to Greenwood, that stood for George’s Sons, because at that time California was practically overrun with Englishmen, who were supposed to be illegitimate sons of King George IV..." --Ghost Town, by G. Ezra Dane, reprint 1948, p. 243.

A letter written by James H. Carson, from Carson’s Creek, Calaveras County, dated March 13, 1853, and published in San Joaquin Republican shortly afterwards, says: "The Australia gold fever has carried off over 500 gold miners from this county, during the last six weeks and still they go. They have committed an outrage on us poor devils who remain, by taking off our elephant with them. As they are going to exhibit the animal in dominions of Queen Vic, some of them, no doubt, will make a pile. I hope big lumps and plenty of whisky may be found wherever they go."

Reports Senate discussion 3/17/1853. Senator Antonio de La Guerra from Santa Barbara introduced the following resolution: "Resolved: That the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus have the privilege of using the Senate Hall, when not otherwise in use, for their regular meetings." (The Asst. Secy. of the Senate, S. Love, reported "Indefinitely postponed, 17 of March, 1853.")

Meeting notice for Haidee Lodge No. 89, in their hall on First Street, Benecia.

"E Clampus Vitus. We understand that a lodge of this ancient and honorable order has been instituted in the town."

Ghost Town: refers to Gobbler’s Lodge No. 107,368. Ibid, p. 243.

 1853 Mariposa

"There are at present four societies here (Mariposa), all I believe in a flourishing condition to-wit: free masons, odd fellows, and an order yclept, the E.C.V.’s—Pembroke Pinckney."

"A society called the ECV at Murphys, donated the sum of $150 to a poor lady, to enable her to establish a school at that place. This liberal act cannot be too highly commended."

Boundary marker for the lot being deeded refers to ECV. Saloon located "on the north side and west end of Main Street." Further research placed site of ECV. Saloon on Lot 4, Block 11, Murphys.

reprints article from Calaveras Chronicle of Mokelumne Hill describing ECV celebration 3/4/1853 (U.S. presidential inauguration)

Lodge owned its hall.

announces regular meetings of LaBroke Lodge No. 107,303 "every Tuesday evening at their Temple in Downieville." Officers: NGH, T. L. Ford, GHP, W.J.Holmes, GRS, F.R.Wehe.

1855 Placerville

Established 11/28/1855; first NGH—D. N. Newell. A formal invitation to Washington Ball, to be held at Orleans Hotel, Placerville, 2/22/1856 by ECV. "Floor managers: F. Chamberlain, W. L. Marple, A. Hunter, A. S. Dorsey, F. H. Harmon, I. Davidson, D. Johns, A. Seligman, J. N. Anderson, E. B. Carson. Reception Committee: D. K. Newell, F. F. Barns, J. N. Grantham. During the day, there will be a procession of the Knights of the Order, and an oration by Bro., the Hon. Geo. Pen Johnston of San Francisco."

"We learn that Rev.E. Hurlburt and wife gratefully acknowledge donation of $20 from the Placerville Lodge of this venerable order."

Lodge meeting in upper story hall of Golden Gate Saloon (Cameron Building).

"A lodge of the ancient and honorable order of F Clampus Vitus has been established at Knight’s Ferry, and is in a flourishing condition. "

Lodge had its own building in 1859.

Published a Clamper paper called "Royal Platrix"

A Golden Highway:Lodge was organized in 1857, with Samuel Hartley was first NGH. Adam Lee Moore was last NGH of Balaam Lodge No. 170,304 of Sierra City.--A Golden Highway, by G. B. Glascock, pp. 176-77.

meeting announcement for Balaam Lodge No. 107,304 "meeting every Saturday night at their Hall, Main Street, Sierra City."

Ghost Towns of British Columbia: Fort Douglas1 during 1858 Fraser River gold rush.—Ghost Towns of British Columbia, by Bruce Ramsey, 1963.

meeting announcement for King Soloman Lodge No. 107,307 "every Monday evening at their Hall at Camptonville."

The Beacon, Red Bluff, 5/7/1860

History of Amador County, published by Thompson & West, 1861: "The E-Clampsus Vitus flourished in 1861-62, especially in lone."

Changed name to Loafer's Society in 1873.

Carson City Daily Appeal, 7/1/1875: refers to Thumpers of Winnemucca.

1878 Modoc County -- Cedarville Clampers

1885 Plumas-Sierra County Border:

Gibsonville--Frank Schoomaker, NGH7 12/24/1885

Rabbit Creek (now LaPorte)--John A.Davis, NGH, 12/24/1885

St. Louis -- W. H. Haskett, NGH, 12/24/1885

Spanish Flat -- Jas. Crawford, NGH, 12/24/1885

"The Clamper: 8/1984: "By the 1880’s there were ECV Lodges in Cedarville, Lake City, Fort Bidwell and Alturas.. ."—Tim I. Purdy, Historian1 Neversweats Chapter 1863.

1880’s Comanche Camp, Freeze Out, Hell’s Delight, Morristown, Nelson Point, Portwine, Saw Pit Flat, Stewart Flat, Yankee Jim’s

Petaluma, Auburn

(The previous info was gathered beginning in the 1960’s by three dampers: Dr. Al Shumate (SNGH 1963-65); Hobart "1k" Lovett (first Grand Council Archivist); and myself (Grand Council Clamplaquero).)

"The Quincy Plumas National Bulletin of April 5, 1917, used half of the front page describing a Clamper parade. The other half of the paper was devoted to the U. S. Senate’s voting for war against Germany! Most likely World War I was a factor in the fading of ECV. By the end of the 1920’s the Order was just a memory." Al Shumate, "The Mysterious History of E Clampus Vitus," 6/23/1991.

"Ezra and I, while driving down the long grade to the river, north of Columbia, determined after much weighty cogitation that the ancient and honorable Order should be revivified. We had been spending a few days together in that region and every mountain, bar and flat shrieked with the memories of long forgotten Clampers, and we then and there declared ourselves for a revival. After our return to Yerba Buena we enlisted the interest of that lusty brother Leon Obstreperous Whitsell, and shortly thereafter we three formally proclaimed the resuscitation of the Order. That the deed was appropriate is now apparent." --Carl I. Wheat.

Lest we forget their names;

1931 Organizational meeting, held at Clift House, Yerba Buena (San Francisco), attended by a group of fanatical 49’ers:

George D. Lyman, Frederick Clift, Francis P. Farquhar, Douglas S. Watson, Edwin Grabhorn, Leon 0. Whitsell, Carl I. Wheat, G. Ezra Dane.

Colonel Wheat, as prime moving spirit, mounted the hogshead and expounded the purpose of the gathering -- to raise from the mead the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus." (from archives of Eric A. Falconer, XNGH, Yerba Buena Redivivus Capitulus No.1.)

4/1932 Charter Meeting, Clift Hotel. The Great Charter, forty feet long, signed by Adam Lee Moore (5/15/1847 - 1946). Charter members and their respective offices—every member should be an officer and all offices of equal indignity:

Clampatron, St. Vitus; Clampatriarch, Adam Lee Moore; Noble Grand Humbug, Carl Ignatius Wheat; Clamps Petrix, Francis P. Farquhar; Clamps Vitrix, Edgar B. Jessup; Clamps Matrix, Ernest A. Wiltsee; Royal Platrix, Leon 0. Whitsell; Grand Surgeon, George D. Lyman; Grand Farmer, Thomas Norris; D. F. Doorkeeper, Douglas S. Watson; Grand Captain, James D. Stewart; Royal Grand Musician & Guardian of the Hewgag, Edwin Grabhorn; Bald Knight, Charles P. Cutten; Grand Iscutis, Jesse M. Whited; Noble Grand Chiseler, Lee L. Stopple; Noble Grand Steward, Frederick C. Clift; Noble Grand Hangman, William T. McSorley; Grand Royal Historian, Henry R. Wagner; Royal Crier, Phil T. Hanna; Grand Noble Recorder, G. Ezra Dane; Grand Honorary Humbugs, William Bull Meek, John McSorley, and George N. Napoleon. (--from The Enigmatical Book of Vitus.)

It was determined to hold an annual dinner meeting at the Hall of Comparative Ovations to honor the anniversary of discovery of gold by James Wilson Marshall, and an annual Pilgrimage to the Diggings.

5/1932 First Pilgrimage, to the Northern Diggings, to Camptonville, and to Downieville where the mystic sign was given, the cryptic "satisfactory" was shouted and the ancient symbols (the Sword of Mercy tempered with Justice, and the Blunderbusket) were discovered and carried off in triumph.

1/1933 First annual dinner, at the Red Room of the Bohemian Club, San Francisco. A throng of Poor Blind Candidates was inducted. The second Pilgrimage was to the Southern Diggings: Mokelumne Hill, Volcano, Pine Grove (and Helvetia), San Andreas, Angels Camp, Murphys, Columbia.

1934 Second annual dinner, at Yerba Buena. A delegation from the Cow Counties joined in the induction of PBC’s. Carl I. Wheat became first Noble Grand Humbug of Platrix Chapter No. 2. Then a new Hall of Comparative Ovations opened its doors in the Pueblo of Los Angeles, for Platrixes in Exile.

Platrix Chapter No. 2 was the first chapter in ECV to dedicate a plaque: San Gabriel Canyon Gold Discovery, Los Angeles County, 9/15/1934.

The Order spread; new chapters started. Initially, Yerba Buena Redivivus Capitulus No. 1 covered the entire territory. Then its domain was divided with Platrix Chapter No. 2, with further subdivisions by both chapters and by the chapters formed from them, etc.

The present situation is as follows. ("Year" may refer to year of approval by the Grand Council for a chapter, or beginning of probation, or date of charter meeting.)

Updated by Frank Houdek SNGH 2000

The plaques above were dedicated before December 31, 1992. The year 2000 marks 66 years since 1934 when the first ECV plaque was dedicated by Platrix Chapter No. 2.

Miscellaneous Notes

1. BY-LAWS

Traditional and historic damper by-laws--an organization with an absolute minimum of organization.

Revised By-Laws were adopted 6/1/1957, and later amended.

Credo quia absurdurn

Also: Per caritate viduaribus orphanibusque, see prime viduaribus

Braying Jackass. Designed by Clamper Holling C. Holling in 1941 (he signed "H" on one of the rocks), originally for the letterhead of Platrix Chapter No. 2. The Grand Council adopted it as the official symbol of ECV.

Designed by Don Luis Percival, Platrix Chapter No. 2, who presented it to Sid Platford. The original painting is at the Huntington Library, collection of Sid Platford (SNGH 1965-67). The Arms of ECV. has been copyrighted by Yerba Buena Redivivus Capitulus No. 1.

Used at the opening of all Grand Council convocations. When not in use in its official capacity the Staff is on display at the Old Timer's Museum, Murphys "unofficial capitol of Clamperdom." The Staff of Relief was made by Clamper Lou Osborne and presented to Archie D. Stevenot (SNGH 1961-63). It was passed on in 1963 to Dr. Al Shumate, incoming SNGH, who gave it to the Grand Council.

Printed by Lawton Kennedy in 1959.

Original map drawn up by George Washington (SNGH 1973-5).

When Yerba Buena Redivivus Capitulus No. 1 commenced action to form a corporation:

John Magnuson, Nameless

Tom Barry, SNGR

A Chapter of ECV in Marysville, California, was incorporated 11/9/1915. The Grand Council took over the 1915 charter, to expire in 1965, with Corporation headquarters at the home address of the California Historical Society,

2090 Jackson Street, San Francisco. On 5/30/1964 the Corporation voted for perpetual existence, recorded 9/1/1964. Corporation status was suspended 4/3/1972 by the Franchise Tax Board, based upon obligations not met which had been put into effect by new laws passed in 1969, notification of which did not reach the directorate of ECV. Until 8/1972. Corporation status was fully re-established with the Franchise Tax Board and the Secretary of State, effective 12/20/1972. Legal corporate address was changed in 1977 from the California Historical Society address in San Francisco to the Center of Western Historical Studies, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California.

The California Historical Society San Francisco, in 1959 was made the official depository (later changed to University of the Pacific, Stockton). The new office of Clamparchivist was created in 1965, and Hobart M. ("1k") Lovett was appointed the first Grand Council Archivist, included in the list of Clampatriots, ax officio. A project to record information on all plaques installed by the various Chapters with the California Division of Beaches and Parks (now called Department of Parks and Recreation) was begun sometime before 1963 by Archie D. Stevenot (SNGH 196l-6~. I was appointed to head this project in 1968 (am still at it, enjoying it very much), and later I was given the title "Clamplaquero" by Sid Platford, "el Cid," (SNGH 1965-67).

The long-time dream of William Gordon Huff (1903 - 2/3/1994), appointed Honorary Clampatriarch in 1969, of a monument to all Clamperdom became a reality with the Wall of Comparative Ovations. Erected in Murphys, "unofficial capitol of Clamperdom," on the exterior wall of The Old Timer's Museum. The first ten plaques were affixed on April 7, 1970. There were seventy-nine plaques by December 31, 1992. Bill did all the work in designing, making, and installing the plaques.

"Mariposa Gazette: was the first official newspaper of ECV Redivivus in the 1930's. "The Clamper," Vol. I, No. 1 -- January 1961.

Transierra Roisterous Alliance of Senior Humbugs Purpose: To promote and foster the cultural heritage of the historical West. Conducts annual history oriented tours; reprints early day historical publications. Incorporated in 1977 as a Nevada Non-profit Cooperative Corporation. First annual trip was in the summer of 1975; first plaque dedicated in 1979. Composed exclusively of past and present NGH1s. Idea conceived by Carl Briggs (SNGH 1980-81), and Dail Turney and Marshall Fey, both XNGH"s of Julia C. Bulette Chapter 1864. T.R.A.S.H. was instrumental in getting the Federal Government to support the total Emigrant Trail marking program, to include both the California Emigrant Trail and the Pony Express Trail within the National Historic Trails System.

Full name: The Immutable Order of the Past Clamproctors of the Grand Council of the Venerable Clampatriarchs of E Clampus Vitus. PxP for short. First meeting, May 1982. See below, Part III, for further developments.

Five flatland Chapters meet every January in memory of Emperor Norton, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico--Yerba Buena Redivivus Capitulus No. 1, Joaquin Murrieta Chapter 13, Sam Brannan Chapter 1004, Monterey Viejo Chapter 1846, Mountain Charlie Ch. 1850.

Julia's Unequivocal Nevada Clampouts An annual visit to Nevada ghost towns and mining camps. Group composed exclusively of xPBC’s.

Dedication at Ichthyosaur Park, Nevada (near Berlin)8/20/1966 of a cathedral-like structure covering fossil remains of giant marine reptiles uncovered near the 7200-foot elevation by paleontologist Dr. Charles L. Camp (SNGH 1967-69). (A plaque by William Gordon Huff was dedicated to Dr. Camp at the Park in 1961.) Those who attended the dedication became members of "Revived Order of the Ichthyosaur -- 103 signed. The roster was printed in "Pony Express."

With Clampers as witnesses, Chief Fuller, G.H., hereditary chief of the Mi-Wuks, at the Cherokee Reservation near Tuolumne, California, on May 29, 1937, officially revoked the grant of Nova Albion made in 1576 by the Greate Hi-oh to Francis Drake. (This was soon after discovery of the Plate of Brasse.) This officially ended any claim by England to California. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was notified of the revocation. Yerba Buena Redivivus Capitulus No. I sponsored the plaque dedication.

 19. ECV SALOON 1853 Site

The site of the ECV Saloon of 1853 in Murphys on Lot 47 Block 11 (it is officially recorded in Book A of Deeds, Calaveras County, p. 134) was marked with a plaque by William Gordon Huff 5/29/1965. The monument housing the plaque was constructed with rocks from all Chapters then in existence, each rock with a historic background, which was mapped and recorded.

A time capsule was buried in 1976 at the Archie D. Stevenot Memorial Bridge, State Highway 49, over the Stanislaus River between Tuolumne and Calaveras County, on the Calaveras side. It contains material from each Chapter then in existence--proclamations, announcements, etc. The niche is 2' x 2' x 4', concrete-encased. The copper time capsule was prepared by Hal Goodyear SNGH 1971-73) from material "that will withstand time and weather" for one hundred years. (Archie D. Stevenot) 9/25/1882 - 8/1/1968, SNGH 1961-63.)

The Grand Council in 1967 declared Murphys "unofficial capitol of Clamperdom." All Grand Council convocations were held in Murphys 1957 (possibly earlier), 1959, and 1961 - 1993. The 1994 meeting will be at Mariposa, California.

(Elmer Tuschhoff was appointed Proctor in 1974 to fill a vacant seat. Elmer and Tom Hagelstein were elected Proctors in 1975, for a six-year term.)"Tom and I both finished our term on the Grand Council last year. During the winter months we have talked about how much we enjoyed being Proctors and how much we will miss the fellowship, fun and ribald humor of that annual conclave. Then we had an idea--why not get together for a meeting of our own. While the Grand Council is slaving... making their earth quaking decisions and solving the complex problems of ECV, we could be having breakfast. We could relax in quiet solitude and reflect on the magnificent accomplishments achieved when WE were on the Council." --Elmer Tuschhoff (co-founder).

"I always thought there is nothing more forgotten nothing lower on earth than an ex-Proctor. Boy, am I glad to know there is life after Clampretirement from the Grand Council." First meeting met in May 1982, presided over by Elmer Tuschhoff, Top PP. Meeting held at Murphys Hotel, Murphys. (Best meetings were those held at the residence of Pat and Earl Schmidt, Murphys, 1987-1993 -- will never be forgotten. We met in Mariposa in 1994,95) and in Antioch in 1996.

Louis Beaupre, Virginia City, Nevada

Paul Bailey, Clarement, California

Ray Carlisle, Auburn

Kenneth Castro, Murphys

Hal Goodyear, Weaverville

Tom Hagelstein, Bakersfield

William Gordon Huff, Honorary, Alamo

Mac Kinton, Pasadena

Earl Schmidt, Palo Alto and Murphys

Dr. Al Shumate, San Francisco

Elmer Tuschhoff, Fresno

Officers: Mighty Clambastard -- Tom Hagelstein

Lowly Clambastard -- Ken Castro

Keeper of the Stuff-- Hal Goodyear

Charter Class of '84 -- Max Johnson and Carroll Pepperdine

Initiation -- first ceremony devised and performed by Ken Castro, Tom Hagelstein, Earl Schmidt

Insignia and Accouterments:

The Official Past Proctors Badge of Leather Designed by Alan Wilson

The Bejeweled Manzanita Gavel Made by Ken Castro. Encrusted with seven precious polished stones, embellished with a brass plate reading "Top PP - ECV."

Pisco adopted at first meeting as PxP historic drink. In the ancient Quechua language of the Incas, Pisco meant, "flying bird." (Vicuna, Chile, was principal center for distilling Pisco. Chile's biggest gold mine is not far away. Miners from this area were first foreigners to arrive in the newly-discovered California gold fields.) A 90 proof elixir a little goes a long ways.

The "licked clean again" gravy bowl with Tom Hagelstein's Special Recipe stirred up by him.