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Brewing Clamper · 05-02-2007, 06:45 AM

You know who you are, just curious how many chapters are represented here. Though I have to say I don't think I've met any brewing clampers, other than my Dad-In-Law, and he ain't brewed in over 20yrs...

**Denny's Evil Concoctions** · 05-02-2007, 07:14 AM

A what?? What the hell is a brewing clamper?

Wolf · 05-02-2007, 12:39 PM

It's like a Mason but with a lot more drinking and a lot less.....umm, masonry.
I think.

**the_bird** · 05-02-2007, 01:32 PM

**Sir Humpsalot** · 05-02-2007, 01:43 PM

Is a clamper anything like a Clampett?

Brewing Clamper · 05-02-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf

It's like a Mason but with a lot more drinking and a lot less.....umm, masonry.
I think.

Yeap, something like that. Often referred to as "a historical drinking society or a drinking historical society."

E. Clampus Vitus

dibby33 · 05-02-2007, 02:50 PM

Can I join?

**Fingers** · 05-02-2007, 03:09 PM

Don't let dibby join. All the others will start worshipping him and these weird little churches will start popping up all over the place.

johnsma22 · 05-02-2007, 04:41 PM

Here is what I found about the 'Clampers'. It was started by men trying to survive during the Gold Rush. It's great to see that even in times of despair these men still managed to maintain a sense of humor!

By 1850 two fraternal organizations, the Masonic Lodge and the Odd Fellows (IOOF), were well established in California and virtually all men of influence were members of either or both of these orders. Both groups were viewed as very strict in nature with impressive badges of office and formal attire. In short, they provided little humor and certainly no relief from the arduous task of just staying alive. In 1851 a group of men at Mokelumne Hill, California, felt another fraternal organization, one much less serious of nature, was needed and The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, with an avowed dedication to the protection of "Widows and Orphans", came to life in the west. Originally, the order was a spoof or mockery of the well known fraternal orders. But it also recognized a certain absurdity that was so much a part of their lives and, indeed, had become something that was cherished whether viewed as an escape or just another thing that had to be endured. One can only imagine the difficulty in maintaining a serious expression as these Clampers carried on their satire by addressed each other with lofty sounding titles of "Noble Grand Humbug", "Clamps Vitrix", "Roisterous Iscutis", "Royal Gyascutis", "Grand Imperturbable Hangman". To further their mockery the members bedecked themselves with badges and self created awards fashioned from tin can lids. The latter became known as "wearing the tin". Rather than having a strict officialdom, all members were declared officers with none ranking higher than his fellow Clampers. Initiates, known as Poor Blind Candidates or PBCs, were subjected to a withering blast of humiliation and relieved of as much gold dust as possible which was promptly used to sustain the gathering at the saloon. The PBC was instantly transformed into a full fledged Clamper. Although there are no formal uniforms, Clampers today maintain a tradition of wearing red shirts at their functions as a remembrance of the red union suits of old. And most will be seen wearing a vest of some sort that is adorned with a multitude badges, pins and patches. There were no dues then and none are collected today. E Clampus Vitus is now and has been since its inception a "men only" organization.

Brewing Clamper · 05-02-2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsma22

Here is what I found about the 'Clampers'. It was started by men trying to survive during the Gold Rush. It's great to see that even in times of despair these men still managed to maintain a sense of humor!

By 1850 two fraternal organizations, the Masonic Lodge and the Odd Fellows (IOOF), were well established in California and virtually all men of influence were members of either or both of these orders. Both groups were viewed as very strict in nature with impressive badges of office and formal attire. In short, they provided little humor and certainly no relief from the arduous task of just staying alive. In 1851 a group of men at Mokelumne Hill, California, felt another fraternal organization, one much less serious of nature, was needed and The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, with an avowed dedication to the protection of "Widows and Orphans", came to life in the west. Originally, the order was a spoof or mockery of the well known fraternal orders. But it also recognized a certain absurdity that was so much a part of their lives and, indeed, had become something that was cherished whether viewed as an escape or just another thing that had to be endured. One can only imagine the difficulty in maintaining a serious expression as these Clampers carried on their satire by addressed each other with lofty sounding titles of "Noble Grand Humbug", "Clamps Vitrix", "Roisterous Iscutis", "Royal Gyascutis", "Grand Imperturbable Hangman". To further their mockery the members bedecked themselves with badges and self created awards fashioned from tin can lids. The latter became known as "wearing the tin". Rather than having a strict officialdom, all members were declared officers with none ranking higher than his fellow Clampers. Initiates, known as Poor Blind Candidates or PBCs, were subjected to a withering blast of humiliation and relieved of as much gold dust as possible which was promptly used to sustain the gathering at the saloon. The PBC was instantly transformed into a full fledged Clamper. Although there are no formal uniforms, Clampers today maintain a tradition of wearing red shirts at their functions as a remembrance of the red union suits of old. And most will be seen wearing a vest of some sort that is adorned with a multitude badges, pins and patches. There were no dues then and none are collected today. E Clampus Vitus is now and has been since its inception a "men only" organization.

"What say the Bretheren?"

Satisfactory!