Were there Clampers in Winnemucca?
There have been references to the Winnemucca Lodge #1 of E Clampus Vitus in the 1800's. After a bit of sleuthing, I found that apparently this Lodge did exist; however it was located in Carson City, not Winnemucca. A few ECV chapter history pages mention a Carson Daily Appeal article of July 1, 1875 mentioning "Thumpers" of Winnemucca, but giving no further detail. Well, I've located a scanned copy of that issue of the Carson Daily Appeal. Click the button below for the full issue. An image from Page 2 of that issue is presented below:
Some of the text is a bit difficult to read, so I've transcribed it :
THUMPERS
In the eccentric city of Winnemucca they have an organization known as "The Thumpers." Why so called and what the Thumpers thump or why the Thumpers think they thump is one of those profound mysteries whose veil we have not penetrated. We think it possible, however, that this may be a modern adaptation of the ritual and work of the once powerful E. Clampus Vitus, or perhaps it may have some remote relation to “The Noble Red Eye” or the “Thousand and One”. Be these superficial surmisings as they may, the following which we clip from the Silver State has the charm of deepening the mystery of the Thumpers. Says that paper in its issue of June 29:
“The Ancient and Honorable Society of Thumpers had a thumping meeting last evening at El Dorado Hall. In the absence of his High Mitiness the Chief Thumpist and Grand Historiographer, Thumporum Virgil Jupiter, was called to the chair and Cresendam Coustantine Blanemange was chosen Bibliographer ad interim. The committee heretofore appointed submitted a report which was adopted by declamation, and forty-five new members were enrolled. On motion a committee of three, consisting of Mackinaw Sullust Bonnebonche, Giasticutis Radomantic Weissnichtwo and Jehosephat Godolphus was appointed to prepare and publish the order of exercises. Additional masks were ordered, and each member permitted to furnish his own parade dress and accoutrements. After several hifaluting speeches and hair-breath arguments on points of order and the tenets of the organization, the Grand Thump adjourned until next Saturday evening at 8 o’clock, when every member is expected to report at headquarters.
THUMPERS
In the eccentric city of Winnemucca they have an organization known as "The Thumpers." Why so called and what the Thumpers thump or why the Thumpers think they thump is one of those profound mysteries whose veil we have not penetrated. We think it possible, however, that this may be a modern adaptation of the ritual and work of the once powerful E. Clampus Vitus, or perhaps it may have some remote relation to “The Noble Red Eye” or the “Thousand and One”. Be these superficial surmisings as they may, the following which we clip from the Silver State has the charm of deepening the mystery of the Thumpers. Says that paper in its issue of June 29:
“The Ancient and Honorable Society of Thumpers had a thumping meeting last evening at El Dorado Hall. In the absence of his High Mitiness the Chief Thumpist and Grand Historiographer, Thumporum Virgil Jupiter, was called to the chair and Cresendam Coustantine Blanemange was chosen Bibliographer ad interim. The committee heretofore appointed submitted a report which was adopted by declamation, and forty-five new members were enrolled. On motion a committee of three, consisting of Mackinaw Sullust Bonnebonche, Giasticutis Radomantic Weissnichtwo and Jehosephat Godolphus was appointed to prepare and publish the order of exercises. Additional masks were ordered, and each member permitted to furnish his own parade dress and accoutrements. After several hifaluting speeches and hair-breath arguments on points of order and the tenets of the organization, the Grand Thump adjourned until next Saturday evening at 8 o’clock, when every member is expected to report at headquarters.
It seems pretty clear that the Thumpers are akin to E Clampus Vitus, even if we cannot ascertain the relation of the two groups, if any. I will continue to research this subject; stay tuned for updates!