E Clampus Vitus (Fraternal order)

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Revival of E Clampus Vitus was begun by Carl I. Wheat and others around 1931 as a parody of mining fraternities of the nineteenth century; E Clampus Vitus almost always organized its events around historical anniversaries or in a place of historical information; a history of the organization can be found in the book, Credo quia absurdum (Placerville, CA : Onager Press, 1949).

From the description of Records, 1935-1970. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 38990036

Fraternal organization founded during California Gold Rush (1852) to poke fun at more solemn fraternal orders of times. Revived by Carl Wheat and Ezra Dane to bring an element of fun into appreciation of history and to provide support for historical projects and celebration of historical events (1931). Grand Council established official archives of E Clampus Vitus at California Historical Society (ca. 1961), but space was limited there and with aid of historian/Clamper Richard Coke Wood, E Clampus Vitus later moved archives to University of the Pacific (1976).

From the description of E Clampus Vitus archives, 1935- (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 35133579

E Clampus Vitus was a benevolent social organization prominent in California during the Gold Rush. It was revived in 1932 as a social organization for men interested in Western history.

From the description of Records of E Clampus Vitus, 1933-1984. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 228721161

Biography

Revival of E Clampus Vitus was begun by Carl I. Wheat and others around 1931 as a parody of mining fraternities of the nineteenth century; E Clampus Vitus almost always organized its events around historical anniversaries or in a place of historical information; a history of the organization can be found in the book, Credo Quia Absurdum (Placerville, California: Onager Press, 1949).

Biographical Narrative

The history of the Ancient & Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus is given in the book Credo quia absurdum (Placerville, California, 1949). The present social organization is a revival of mining fraternities of the nineteenth century, parodies of the then-popular mysterious fraternal orders. The present organization delights in the mock-serious aspects of the originals.

E Clampus Vitus almost always organizes its events around historical anniversaries or in a place of historical importance, so that keepsakes and announcements offer historical information, as well as providing records of the club's activities. Often the keepsakes are printed by noted California printers, such as Lawton Kennedy.

Prominent Californians were involved with the revival of the organization in the early nineteen-thirties, so that the history and papers of the organization are important in a study of California. Carl I. Wheat was one of the first to start the revival, around 1931. The present collection is made up of items donated by Lindley Bynum, Andrew Horn and Ward Ritchie; and of items from the W.W. Robinson collection.

note: Because of the completeness of materials collected by W.W. Robinson held in the Department of Special Collections, items taken from that collection have been stamped with his name. Other items not pertaining to the individuals above have been distributed throughout this collection without indicating the donor.

From the guide to the E Clampus Vitus Records, 1935-1970, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Layne, J. Gregg (Joseph Gregg), 1885-1952. Papers, 1920-1952. University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn Kennedy, Lawton, 1900-. Lawton Kennedy correspondence, 1935. University of the Pacific, William Knox Holt Memorial Library
referencedIn Carlstrom, Alice A. Zumwalt, 1918-. Material relating to Joseph Zumwalt : ms.S, 1968 Feb. 1. California Digital Library
referencedIn Nevada, Emma, 1859-1940. Emma Nevada letter to Herbert S. Hamlin : London : ALS, 1939 May 5. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn McDonald, Russell West, 1917-1994. Russell West McDonald papers, ca. 1850-1993. Nevada State Historical Society
creatorOf Hamerstrom, Burt. Burt Hamerstrom letter to George P. Hammond : Wickenburg, Ariz. : LS, 1961 Apr. 21. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf E Clampus Vitus Records, 1935-1970 University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
creatorOf Grabhorn Press. Grabhorn Press records, 1917-1973. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf E Clampus Vitus (Fraternal order). Records, 1935-1970. University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn E Clampus Vitus Archives, 1935- University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
referencedIn J. Gregg Layne Papers, 1920-1952 University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
referencedIn Stevenot Family Papers, 1918-1966 University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
referencedIn Norris, Thomas W. (Thomas Wayne). Thomas W. Norris papers, 1919-1952. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf E Clampus Vitus (Fraternal order). Records of E Clampus Vitus, 1933-1984. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf E Clampus Vitus (Fraternal order). Source material about the Peter Lebeck tree, 1837 to 1937. The Claremont Colleges, Claremont University Consortium
referencedIn Monterey Public Library. California History Room. Organizations-E Clampus Vitus clippings 1951-1993 Monterey Public Library
referencedIn Stevenot, Archie D., 1882-1968. Archie D. Stevenot papers, 1918-1966. University of the Pacific, William Knox Holt Memorial Library
referencedIn Camp, Charles Lewis, 1893-1975. Charles Lewis Camp papers, circa 1908-1975 (bulk 1920-1975). UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf E Clampus Vitus (Fraternal order). E Clampus Vitus archives, 1935- University of the Pacific, William Knox Holt Memorial Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Briggs, Carl. person
associatedWith Camp, Charles Lewis, 1893-1975. person
associatedWith Carlstrom, Alice A. Zumwalt, 1918- person
associatedWith Dane, G. Ezra 1904-1941. person
associatedWith E Clampus Vitus person
associatedWith Grabhorn Press. corporateBody
associatedWith Hamerstrom, Burt. person
associatedWith Hamlin, Herb S., 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Kennedy, Lawton, 1900- person
associatedWith Layne, J. Gregg (Joseph Gregg), 1885-1952. person
associatedWith McDonald, Russell West, 1917-1994. person
associatedWith Monterey Public Library. California History Room. corporateBody
associatedWith Moore, Adam Lee, 1847-1946. person
associatedWith Mrs. Donald Segerstrom person
associatedWith Nevada, Emma, 1859-1940. person
associatedWith Norris, Thomas W. (Thomas Wayne) person
associatedWith Platford, Sidney Davidson, 1889-1980. person
associatedWith Stevenot, Archie, 1882-1968. person
associatedWith Stevenot, Archie D., 1882-1968. person
associatedWith Wheat, Carl I. 1892-1966. person
associatedWith Wood, R. Coke 1905-1979. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
California
California
California, Southern
Subject
brotherhood
Fraternal organizations
Historical markers
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1917

Active 1973

Information

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SNAC ID: 23972689