A Monograph on Nevada’s Oldest ECV Chapter
That Would Be Julia C. Bulette Chapter No. 1864, of Course…
Many beers consumed. Many hours lost grumbling and digging thru historical tomes. Many arguments presented. All in a seemingly un-ending quest to find a solid answer to the grave question, “What ECV chapter is the first “modern era” ECV Nevada based Chapter?”. Or even, “What ECV Chapter is the first non-California based Chapter?” For context, “Modern Era” in this document refers to the formal establishment of Grand Council at a “Directors of ECV” meeting held on May 8, 1954, at the Fair Grounds in Mariposa, California, and its first formal meeting thereafter on April 22, 1956 in Fresno, California.
The above vexing questions seem utterly unanswerable, if you rely on speculative pronouncements from vagabonds and roustabouts, or rely on rumors and old tales, passed down, brother to brother, and told with nary a care for historical accuracy or documentation.
With a desire to find the historical facts, and with brotherly love for all Red Shirts from any enlightened territory, this writer hopes to illuminate the topic, in such a way that even the most resistant and recalcitrant brother might see, and grudgingly acknowledge, plain facts. Or, if differing in perspective, present reliable evidence of other facts, not herein contained. The facts mamma, just the facts…
First, and most importantly, a few excerpts from an wondrous publication called “E Clampus Vitus, Then and Now, 1852 – 1966.” This most excellent and enlightening book was published in 1966 in Stockton, California, by the following collective Clampers and historians, from several ECV chapters: Dave Dunlap (Book Chapters 1-3), Dr R Cole Wood, Archie Stevenot, Albert Shumate, MD, and Wesley Simard (Book Chapters 4-6).
Chapter Four, The Reorganization of E Clampus Vitus in California, Excerpts from Page twenty four:
“The Board of Directors of the Corporation, which was actually the first called meeting of the Grand Council, met at the Fresno Armory Hall on April 22, 1956, as part of the Fresno County Centennial Celebration.… A motion by Swift Berry was made and passed to establish a new chapter in western Nevada and Alpine County and to erect a plaque to the great Norwegian mail carrier, “Snowshoe” Thompson near Markleeville.”
This clearly establishes that the Snowshoe Thompson (SST) Chapter was formed and acknowledged by the “first Grand Council meeting”, in California, on or about April 22, 1956, and included territory in western Nevada and Alpine County, California. Note also that the chapter is titled “The Reorganization of E Clampus Vitus in California”, which specifically calls out, California.
Chapter Five, The New E Clampus Vitus, The Booming Sixties, Excerpts from Page twenty seven, twenty eight, and twenty nine:
“The 1963 session of the Clamproctors was a joint meeting with the Grand Council of Venerable Clampatriarchs at Murphys on June 1 with all recognized chapters of ECV represented.”
“Al Shumate as Chairman of the Committee on Chapters and Territories reported that Merced County would be allotted to Estanislao Chapter and that the committee recommended the granting of a charter to the Julia C. Bulette Chapter, sponsored by the Snowshoe Thompson Chapter. The recommendation was approved by the Council after dramatic appeals from representatives from Virginia City, who presented a resolution from the Nevada State Legislature urging the granting of a charter to Virginia City and after a good deal of discussion. This was the first charter granted outside California and was granted because Virginia City had such a tremendous mining history. However, it was stipulated that Julia Bulette could not sponsor another chapter in Nevada and their territory would be confined to Virginia City, Dayton, Silver City, and Gold Hill, Nevada. It was also fully understood that Snowshoe Thompson would retain headquarters at Markleeville.”
This clearly establishes that the Julia C Bulette Chapter, graciously sponsored by the Snowshoe Thompson Chapter, was, and I quote “the first charter granted outside California and was granted because Virginia City had such a tremendous mining history”, and that the SST Chapter “would retain headquarters at Markleeville”.
Chapter Six, The Chapters of E Clampus Vitus and the Humbugs, Excerpts from pages forty, forty one, and forty two:
- Yerba Buena, Redivivus No 1, San Francisco
- Platrix Chapter No. 2, Los Angeles
- James W. Marshall Chapter No. 49, Placerville
- Estanislao Chapter No. 58, Oakdale
- Matuca Chapter No. 1849, Sonora
- Las Plumas Del Oro Chapter, Quincy
- William Bull Meek Chapter No. 10 (No location listed)
- William Morris Stewart Chapter No. 8591 (No location listed)
- James Savage Chapter No. 1852, Fresno
- Snowshoe Thompson Chapter, Markleeville
- Squibob Chapter No. 1853, San Diego
- Peter Lebeck Chapter No. 1866, Bakersfield
- Lord Sholto Douglas Chapter No. 3, Auburn
- Downie Chapter No. 1848, Downieville
- Trinitarianus, Weaverville
- Julie C Bulette Chapter No. 1864, Virginia City, Nevada
- Monterey Viejo Chapter, Monterey
- Sam Brannan Chapter No. 1004, Yuba City
- Chief Truckee Chapter No. 3691, Truckee
- Argonaut Chapter, San Francisco
- Bodie Chapter No. 64, Bridgeport
- Pair O Dice Chapter, Paradise
Attentive readers will note that for every listed chapter expect two, a home location is listed. Every listed location omits the State as it is, by default, California. The only exception is our beloved Julie C Bulette Chapter #1864, the first Nevada Chapter! And readers will note that the source for the above list was published in 1966. So, as of that year the above list was the Grand Council acknowledged chapter list.
Now, if the above documented ECV history doesn’t convince you that Julia C Bulette Chapter #1864 is, the First and Oldest Nevada Chapter then this writer isn’t sure you’re convincible. But in one last attempt to persuade each and every reader, I offer up two more historical documents.
From the Nevada State Journal, July 4, 1963, Page 8
Clampers to Form Comstock Chapter VIRGINIA CITY
Attention, widows and orphans! Particularly young, attractive widows. Prepare for the worst! Your protectors arrive Saturday. Members of E Clampus Vitus, the mystic fraternity of redshirted mountain men dedicated to the protection of widows and orphans, will convene here during the Fourth of July weekend. The occasion is the Saturday dedication of the first chapter of E Clampus Vitus to be organized outside the state of California. (The Snowshoe Thompson chapter in Reno actually is headquartered in Markleeville, Calif.). The chapter to be organized here Saturday will honor one of Nevada’s best known grass widows. the late Julia C. Bulette who contributed mightily lo the social clime of the Comstock during its heyday, and did the victim of an assassin’s blade. Louis Beauprey is to be installed as the first Grand Noble Humbug of Virginia City’s Julia C. Bulette Chapter, and Jim Lydon will serve as Gold Dust Receiver. Installation of officers is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by a Clamper parade at 1 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. the mountain clan will dedicate a monument to the memory of Julia Bulette, then deliver a funeral eulogy at her graveside at 2 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. the Clampers will reassemble to hear comparative ovations, and the famed Slippery Gulch will take place thereafter. More than 2,000 Clampers are expected to attend the chapter organization.
From the Reno Gazette-Journal, July 4, 1963, Page 17
CLAMPERS ORGANIZE FIRST NEVADA CHAPTER VIRGINIA CITY
Attention, widows and orphans! Particularly young, attractive widows. Prepare for the worst! Your protectors arrive Saturday. Members of E Clampus Vitus, the mystic fraternity of redshirted mountain men dedicated to the protection of widows and orphans, will convene here during the Fourth of July weekend. The occasion is the Saturday dedication of the first chapter of E Clampus Vitus to be organized outside the state of California. (The Snowshoe Thompson chapter in Reno actually is headquartered in Markleeville, Calif.). The chapter to be organized here Saturday will honor one of Nevada’s best known grass widows. The late Julia C. Bulette who contributed mightily to the social clime of the Comstock during its heyday, and died the victim of an assassin’s blade. Louis Beaupre is to be installed as the first Grand Noble Humbug of Virginia City’s Julia C. Bulette Chapter, and Jim Lydon will serve as Gold Dust Receiver. Installation of officers is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by a Clamper parade at 1 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. the mountain clan will dedicate a monument to the memory of Julia Bulette, then deliver a funeral eulogy at her graveside at 2 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. the Clampers will reassemble to hear comparative orations, and the famed Slippery Gulch will take place thereafter. More than 2,000 Clampers are expected to attend the chapter organization.
So…
The above historical documents are clear. The only Chapter of E Clampus Vitus, that can legitimately claim to be “Nevada’s First and Oldest ECV Chapter”, is unequivocally, and absolutely clearly, the first and oldest Nevada ECV chapter, Julia C Bulette Chapter #1864, based out of Virginia City, Nevada!
Other claims can be made, like “The oldest ECV chapter with Nevada territory”, or “The first ECV chapter with territory outside of California”, but no reasonable ECV chapter would try to assert that they are “Nevada’s First and Oldest ECV Chapter” without offering bonafide historical documents to substantiate such a claim.
E Clampus Vitus (an Historical Drinking Society, or is that a Drinking Historical Society) strives to have fun and celebrate the fascinating history of the old West and gold and silver mining specifically. We have grown as an organization and our chapters now number around 50, if this writer isn’t mistaken. Chapter territories have been staked, claimed, argued over, split up, and shared, generally with the blessings of an older and sponsoring chapter. Julia C Bulette Chapter #1864 was blessed to have the sponsorship of such a chapter, and is glad to have helped our ancient and honorable order grow and prosper. Satisfactory!
Respectfully submitted by…
Julia C Bulette Chapter #1864
- Chartered by Grand Council on 1, June, 5968 (1963 CE)
- Incorporated in Nevada since August 17, 5969 (1964 CE)