During the Gold Rush days of California, the organization known as E Clampus Vitas flourished throughout the gold diggings as a parody of the solemn and mysterious fraternal orders then popular in the states. Every member held an office of equal indignity. It was said to exist for the purpose of promoting the welfare of widows and orphans, especially the widows, and early newspaper articles show that its deeds actually did aid needy families. Primarily, however, it was a fun organization, and the antics and glorious spirit of early-day clampers lightened the cares of the Gold Rush days and made the old frontiers ring with laughter. Reborn in 1931 and resuscitated by Carl I. Wheat, Geo. Ezra Dane, and Leon Whitsell, the revived order sought to cultivate interest in the history of California and have fun in the process, beginning with Yerba Buena No.1 in San Francisco and followed by chapters in Los Angeles, Placerville, Oakdale, Sonora, Qunicy, Grass Valley, Fresno, Markleeville, San Diego, Bakersfield, Downieville, Weaverville, Virginia City, Monterey, Yuba City, Truckee, San Francisco, Bridgeport, and Paradise.