1999 – 2008

Charles Albert Al Shumate was born, and lived his life in his grandfathers house in San Francisco. He attended the University of San Francisco and attained a medical degree at Creighton U. in Nebraska. He did his residency at Columbia U., New York City, before returning to San Francisco to practice and later to also teach medicine. In the late 1930s the Doctor was taken in by ECV, where he associated with Dr Charles Camp, Carl Wheat, Oscar Lewis, Adam Lee Moore, etc. He authored many books and numerous pamphlets on historical subjects and became a member of several historical societies. In 1954 Dr. Shumate was named Humbug of Yerba Buena #1, and in 1963 became Sublime Noble Grand Humbug of E Clampus Vitus.

Dr. Al Shumate, a true Gentlemans Gentleman.

Born in Massachusetts he graduated from West point in 1846, joined the army, won a brevet, and was wounded April 17, 1847, in a battle during the Mexican War. Shortly after the war, he was ordered to California and reached San Francisco in July 1849. He is noted not only for his bravery, designing of posts, exploring and mapping, but also for his humorous writing and caricatures. Mostly known by his nom de plumes, John P. Squibob in the San Francisco area and later around San Diego as John Phoenix. Derby was the author of Phoenixiana: A Collection of the Burlesques and Sketches of John P. Squibob. Many tried to copy his style but few came close.

Squibob understood, CREDO QUIA ABSURDUM.

Born in London, England, and raised in South Africa, Norton came to San Francisco in 1849 shortly after the discovery of Gold. Joshua Norton became a successful merchant and businessman only to lose everything when he tried to corner the “Rice Market”. He then declared bankruptcy and disappeared only to reappear in 1859 and proclaimed himself, NORTON I, Emperor of the United States! San Francisco immediately accepted and treated him with respect, extended him credit, and due so regal a person, he was admitted free to many events. On January 8, 1880, the Emperor died and a sadness engulfed the city and an enormous funeral was held. Even today, the Emperor is remembered by E Clampus Vitus with hundreds of the ECV members gathering annually to celebrate his memory and place a wreath at his gravesite.
LE ROI EST MORT!!

Successful Gold miner, prosperous land owner, prolific parent, road developer and Patriarch of ECV in the west, Joe kept busy. While there are many descendants of Joe Zumwalt his name and reported accomplishments are not well known. ECV and some historians recognize him for spreading the seeds of our organization, pioneering of the Henness-Zumwalt Pass or route, the early on importing and raising of honeybees, etc.
Although this is the second issue of this badge we felt it suitable as we also Traveled over the Route of The Henness-Zumwalt Pass on a T. R. A. S. H. Trek, a Three Chapter Doins and a 7-11 S. E. A. R. C. H. event.
Any good thing is worth doing
At least twice.

Coming to Nevada County from Southern California Bill Byars made many friends in the area and in the historical community. Byars became actively involved in the William Bull Meek William Morris Stewart Chapter 10 E Clampus Vitus in its early days, and following the example of his friends Herb Gerrish, NGH Number 2, and Charle Kitts, NGH number 3, Bill became the fourth Humbug of Chapter 10 in 1965. With continued and active participation in ECV, Bill became a Proctor of Grand Council, and then in 1977 he was elevated to Sublime Noble Grand Humbug of all Clamperdom!

Not only a respected Sculptor, Artist and Historian Bill Huff was an upstanding Citizen and Treasured Friend. He was a “Clamper’s Clamper”. Bill understood and he adhered to one of the paramount ideals of Clamperdom, “Credo Quia Absurdum”. I believe because it is Absurd. “El Bastardo” was one of 25 or drawings he did for “Loud and Clear He Brays” in 1940. On your next visit to The Clamper Wall check out other of Huff’s “Clamp Believable” Art Work.
Satisfactory, 6009 (A.D. 2004)

In keeping with Clamperdoms Entire and Majestic Constitution. As Follows :

ARTICLE I. ALL MEMBERS ARE OFFICERS.
ARTICLE II. ALL OFFICERS ARE OF EQUAL INDIGNITY.

And in our countrys spirit of Equality. This and all of Bill Huffs Art Works on Wall reflect the Ideals.

Earl was a long time “Clamper”. He was The 29th Noble Grand Humbug of the Yerba Buena Chapter 1979-1980 and at that time he changed the term of office to 1 year thereby allowing for more brother clampers to attain that position. Earl remained an active clamper for the rest of his life. During World War II Earl served as a B-17 co-pilot in the 8th Air Force, 390th Bomb Group, completing 30 European combat missions. Earl was Boy Scout and later a Scout Executive. He also was a member of the Calif. Historical Sic. (Treas.), San Mateo Hist. Assoc. (Pres.), Death Valley 49ers (Pres.), Sheriff (Pres.) of The Westerners, San Francisco Corral, and the Board of Directors of the Old Timers Museum, Murphy’s CA. He was also an energetic member of many other groups. He Will Be Missed!

CW was born in Berkeley, Ca. and grew up in the Diablo Valley. A longtime California history buff, CW was initiated into the Clampers in 1971 in the Tuleberg Chapter. CW was instrumental in the forming and chartering of Joaquin Murrieta, Chapter 13, E Clampus Vitus. He was Noble Grand Humbug of Chapter 13 in 1979. In 1987 he became a Proctor for Grand Council and in 1990 – 1991 he served as Sublime Noble Grand Humbug. An electrician by trade, CW served as President of IBEW Local #595 from 1991 until August, 1997, when he had to resign due to poor health. In his spare time CW was a hot air balloon pilot, car racing fan, enjoyed everything about trains and scale model building. CW was a Tennessee Squire and, as any Clamper who knew him can attest, enjoyed all things “Jack Daniels”.

John Marsh emigrated to California from Independence, Mo. and settled in the Pueblo of Los Angeles in 1836. He proclaimed himself a doctor and set up to practice medicine. However, his true desire was to be a rancher and bought a large northern California rancho from Jose Noriega in 1837. His land, which he named Rancho Los Meganos, had an area of 17,000 acres. With the help of the Indians in the area he planted vegetable gardens and orchards of apples, plums, pears, figs, almonds, olives, an extensive vineyard and a field of wheat. Marsh built a magnificent home made entirely of stone quarried from the nearby hills and the building, though in disrepair, still stands today. Marsh wrote letters to other parts of the country, including the Western Emigration Society in Independence, Mo., encouraging others to emigrate to California. While on a trip from his home to Martinez, in 1856, he was set upon by three Mexican horsemen who robbed and murdered him, supposedly over a salary dispute with his Vaqueros.

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